Owning a home takes work and money. The average amount a homeowner can expect in annual home improvements is 1 to 3 percent. However, there are ways to cut back on cost, so here are some tips to help you save money and still be able to improve and upkeep the home you love.
A crazy addition will add some pizazz to your house. A wine cellar or a library brimming with shelves are wonderful spaces in any home. This is a good way to improve the value of your home, make it more comfortable and have a fun project to work on.
A good tip in deciding what kind of home improvement project to do is to take stock in what you would like to achieve. Choose home improvement projects that really reflect your own personality and sense of style.
Update the look of any bathroom with new metal fixtures. You can find shower curtain rods, cabinet knobs and towel racks in a lot of different styles. Many retailers offer such fixtures in packages with coordinating patterns and colors which can all be in place within a few hours of starting this simple improvement project.
A small room in your house does not always have to be dark. Let the sun shine in! Do some window cleaning so they sparkle, then open your drapes. It is amazing how much the room will look bigger if you use natural light. Stick to lighter colors on the walls, and diminish clutter in the room. Your room will feel much less crammed as a result.
As you start out doing your renovations, do not demolish things too fast. It is essential to investigate what is behind your walls prior to tearing them out. It can be very expensive to fix any electrical components that are damaged during the making of home improvements.
Look to your kitchen when you want to get an idea of where to begin home improvements and updates. Start with the walls; if there are grease stains, mix up a 2 to 1 solution of TSP and water. This may remove stains but it will also strip paint. Neutral, tan colors work well in all kinds of kitchens. Once you’ve finished re-painting, you’ll be impressed with how dramatic the difference is.
If you are considering a home improvement endeavor, allot yourself plenty of time to create a formal plan and start thinking of ideas right away. There are a million different things you can do to your living space if you just look in the right places. Don’t rush into picking color schemes; you don’t want to stress yourself out.
You can improve the look of a bathroom by giving it a new glaze. Fresh glazing can transform an old bathroom. Buying new fixtures and flooring can be expensive, but glazing can be done for just a couple hundred dollars. The value of a home can be increased at a bargain price through glazing.
If a contractor tells you they will finish the job in time period that is not realistic, do not use him. Contractors may find it more lucrative to finish jobs quicker. To maximize productivity. they may rush their employees. Do not let your contractor rush through your job or charge you for some overtime work that was not really needed.
Add fruit and flowers to the kitchen for a bit of brightness and color. A wonderful flower arrangement or a bowl of fruit can perk up your kitchen. This cheap element of decor will definitely brighten up the whole room. Seeing a vase of fresh flowers on even the dullest of days will instantly improve both the kitchen and your mood!
Don’t overlook issues with rust or mold, no matter how small. They appear often in older houses, and it doesn’t take long for them to spread. Tackling them when they’re little is simple and quick. If you wait until they have become huge issues, you will end up having to put in more time and money. A bit of bleach can work miracles on little mold issues. Sand down areas that have just a little rust.
You can easily make your entrance look better and safer by replacing the knob on your door. It should be a fairly quick project, too. If you have a screwdriver, you can do this job. You can find new, decorative doorknobs at home improvement stores.
Think about whether or not you want your security alarm set while you are showing your home. An alarm might be essential if your home is not in a good area.
Quality Paint
The difference that adding crown molding to a room can make can be quite dramatic. Plain walls can be brightened up with crown molding. Crown molding really is not that costly and it is simple to install.
When you paint your home’s exterior, you need to purchase good quality supplies. Find a high-quality paint that will handle the weather and withstand the brushes of a professional contractor or amateur family-man alike. Even though it costs more to get high quality paint, it goes on quicker and last longer than lower quality paint. If you choose a low-quality paint, you will probably have to paint your house again a few years from now.
Whenever you’re planning a new home improvement project, you may want to look for some sort of inspiration. Take a trip to the library, visit a book store, or pick up some decorating magazines. Get fabric swatches, and color samples. You will have time to weigh the options and decide how best to approach your project.
Use windows with secondary glazing. These windows cost more, but they lower energy bills and reduce outside noise. When you renovate, consider changing to these in order to save money and time. These windows are energy efficient, making it much easier to heat or cool your home.
When you are looking for people to help you with a home renovation project, have several alternates in mind who can help in case there is any problem. It’s simply always better to have an out. Even if they’re not helping you, it’s best to have them on retainer. That adage applies to home improvement also.
Try and predict any unexpected costs you might incur in advance. Unexpected expenses can quickly add up and one slight mistake can throw your whole budget off track. You can stop this from happening by doing a lot of planning. This will help you stay flexible if something goes wrong, such as a key material not being in stock.
Shorten the hose to your dryer as a way to save energy and boost efficiency. Your first step is to detach the hose and clean it out. Your vacuum cleaner can handle the job. Shorten the hose so that its length is just a few feet. It should be long enough to give you room to clean behind the dryer when you need to, but not any longer than it needs to be.
You should not be afraid to handle faucet leaks yourself. Small leaks can worsen, and each drip is a waste of water and money. The water can also leave stains in your tub, sink or cabinetry. It is cheap and easy to repair a faucet or put in a new one. However, repairing or replacing things damaged by it might not be.
Talk to your neighbors about creating a tool pool. Rather than buying a specialized tool that you may only use once, share equipment with your neighbors. You can also go a step further and share home improvement tips.
A bathroom can be redecorated easily and cheaply. A simple way to do this is to get new towels, a shower curtain and a fresh bath mat. This will give an instant lift to the bathroom. You can instantly perk up your bathroom with plants; however, choose plants that will thrive in a humid environment with little direct sunlight.
When installing tile on your shower, tub, floor, or any moist area, be sure to install backer boards made of cement. The boards act as a barrier by keeping moisture away from drywall. Wet drywall forms mildew and mold. You want to avoid this by thinking ahead.
Homes that are updated usually sell faster and sell for more as well when compared to homes that haven’t been renovated. Creating a lighter, more open kitchen should be your first focus. It’s also the best way to increase your ROI.
Remember that first impressions are important and take the time to make the yard appear well tended before tackling interior work. The latter cannot be seen right away, but a neglected exterior can affect the price and time of the sale.
Steel Wool
If your roof needs to be repaired, try using a white tile to redo your roof. Dark colors can make your attic extremely hot. Choosing lightly colored tiles prevents heat from being absorbed into your attic. You will notice a huge difference the next time you are searching for something up in that attic.
If you have a hole in your home that you think mice are using as an access point, put steel wool inside. This is a preventative measure, used while full repairs are made. Mice are unable to chew through the steel wool which makes it invaluable.
If multiple projects are being done in one room, make sure you contemplate the order they need to be done. If you are replacing the cabinets and floor, it is a good idea to start with the cabinets. This is because the work required to replace the cabinets could potentially damage the floor, so you would want to replace the floor after the fact. Write out what you need to do before you start your project.
Shorten your dryer hose to maximize your energy savings and boost your dryer’s power. To start, unhook the dryer hose and clean it out by vacuuming. Shorten the hose so that its length is just a few feet. You want it long enough to move the dryer out, though.
Vacuum the inside of cabinets prior to cleaning them. This allows you to eliminate loose dirt and debris from the interior. Use a gentle mixture of soap and water to clean your shelves. The key to deep cleaning your home is to start at the very top and go from there. Use this time to put in fresh cabinet liners and fix shelves that are sagging.
Sort your tools into various toolboxes arranged by projects. An example would be putting all things you use for plumbing projects, like pipe parts, pipe wrenches, and PVC glue, all in one toolbox. An electrical toolbox could contain a variety of fuses, switches and a voltmeter. This will help you find your tools easier, whenever you need them.
Be sure to use a credit card or check to pay your contractor so that you will be able to stop payment if you need to. This helps ensure that you won’t get scammed out of any money. Credit cards are a good payment method if you need to dispute the work rendered.
Now you should know at least a little more about home improvement. Making wise improvements and updates to your home is the best way to maintain your comfort and your investment in your home.
Replacing the caulking and sealant around your windows is a quick home improvement project with great benefits, both in terms of economy and avoiding serious damage. This prevents moisture from seeping in and causing mold growth, and it keeps drafts out, which can lower your heating bills. Remove old, cracked caulking before you start adding fresh caulk.
