By Jeff Tormey
So, you've made it. You're ready to get into home improvement, right? There is no better time to get started. Most likely, you have a ton of questions regarding how and where to get started. This article contains tips that can help you begin your home improvement projects.
Just because a room is lacking in square footage doesn't mean it has to seem cramped or confined. You can invite the light inside. Make sure your windows are perfectly clean and pull up the shades. It is amazing how much the room will look bigger if you use natural light. Use pale colors on your walls and avoid clutter. This will lead to a more comfortable feel in your small room.
|When you are starting a project to improve your home, you need to know how you will get rid of the associated debris. There will be excess debris that will need to be discarded after the home improvement project. Before you begin your project, you should allocate some space to hold the garbage.
|Replacing the flooring in any room can be an expensive project. An affordable option is to remove the flooring and use colored stain on the concrete. This adds to the contemporary look of your home while adding versatility too.
|It's a good idea to sit down and clearly define your goals and intentions before you get started on your home improvement work. Once you have started, you will be able to focus on what you are doing, and not the details of design. Ask your friends for inspiration; save pictures and notes from home improvement magazines and TV shows.
|You can easily make a window screen, if you cannot locate one that goes into your window. You can buy a frame kit that you cut to fit any window. Then, all you do is attach the screen using the cording that is provided and some tools you probably have around the house. Although some windows may use special screens, they can still use an external screen thanks to adapters.
|It is often more manageable to approach home improvement one room or area at a time. When you take on a single room it will take less time and money to see the results you want. Planning ahead will allow you to find the best deals on the products you need to do the work. Plan ahead if you want to save money on home improvement.
|Using the proper tools can mean the difference between a successful home improvement project and a disaster. Using the proper tools will ensure that your work is completed well and with greater efficiency. Ensure that you completely understand how to use any tool you are working with to ensure safety.
|A good paint job, as well as a deck improvement, are great ways to improve the value of your home so make sure to consider these projects. You can entertain guests with a deck, or use it as a place to relax during the hot summer days.
|Pay your contractor through credit card or check so you could stop payment if you need to. This will also ensure that your contractor doesn't scam you and leave with his down payment. But if you avoid paying in cash or with a debit, you can stop them from profiting off of you.
|To give your home more curb appeal, re-paint your garage door. Garage doors often get exposed to different elements, making them look worn and dingy. A new coat of paint helps make your house look new and more valueable. Pick a color that compliments the rest of your home for your garage door.
Any wood-burning stove you use inside your home should be EPA certified. Most newer wood-burning stoves will be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency; however, older model wood-burning stoves need to be tested to certify that the stove meets current emission standards. Carbon monoxide is a big concern when it comes to burning wood inside of the house, so be sure to check your stove for leaks.
|To save space on your kitchen counters, install an overhead microwave oven. Microwave ovens add class and style to your home, and many come with a lot of special features. These models use a recirculating filter, making them ideal for use at home or in settings outside professional kitchens.
|Avoid keeping your curtains open all day if your living and dining rooms have carpet. The sunlight can actually bleach your carpet, leaving lighter spots where the light most often hits the fibers. Place furniture where the sun hits or open your drapes as the sun goes down.
|Replace flooring that is old. Though the cost may be a factor for flooring, the benefit is worth it. Replacing old carpet with wood or tile can create a new look and add value that will last for years.
|There are many types of materials you have to avoid while making home improvements, and certain types of drywall now fit this bill. Do not purchase drywall (also known as wall board or sheet rock) that was made in China. Since 2005, a great deal of the drywall used in the U.S. building industry has been sourced from China. The biggest problem with it is that the quality control standards are virtually nonexistent, so the weak product simply fails to hold up. Sometimes, it's even dangerous and exudes dangerous gases that cause damage to internal wiring.
|When you're choosing paint for your home, you'll find no-VOC and low-VOC options, that refer to the paint's content of volatile organic compounds considered dangerous to health. When possible, choose those that are no-VOC. These paints are friendly to the environment, and they lack the dangerous chemicals in other paints. They cover just as well as traditional paints, and only cost a little bit more.
|Use new light fixtures to brighten dull kitchens or bathrooms without spending a lot of money. Track lights may be switched for lights that are sharper; these can be put in by a professional for under a grand. For example, many people love the modern, distinctive look of a pendant light or chandelier.
|Ceiling fans make wonderful additions. Ceiling fans are fairly inexpensive and simple to install. You may also notice a reduction in your energy bill after you install a ceiling fan because you are using your air conditioner less.
|Thinking about replacing your outdated, faded or stained carpet? Keep an eye out for carpet installation promotions from retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's. They will often offer installation for a low, low cost to encourage carpet purchases. When you see this type of sale, it's time to move as often full-priced installation can cost more than the carpet itself.
|When hiring a contractor, be sure to keep good records and always sign a clearly stated contract. Don't mistakenly assume that your contractor will handle this for you. Hang onto all of your project's paperwork, from the initial contract to the final invoices. This will turn out to be very useful if you find yourself in a conflict with your contractor.
If you choose windows that are designed to keep hot and cool air in your home, you can save yourself a lot of money on your electricity bills. This is a very rewarding home improvement project.
|Place peepholes on your doors. You should know who is at your door before you open it! Peepholes are simple to install and won't cost you that much money. All it takes is a drill and a little bit of your time. With a peephole, you will not be fearful of opening your door.
|When you are improving your home and it has to do with the water lines, ensure they are shut off. Before you begin, know where the shut off valve is, or you may quickly be in a flood of water when repairing a sink.
|If you mount your TV using a wall bracket, you'll be able to free up a great deal of space. Even if you still need a TV stand, you'll be able to store something else on the surface you've cleared. The best part is, if all the directions are followed closely, this could be accomplished in about a half hour.
|Home improvement is a huge category and can mean doing the simplest of things. If you lack the funds to do major renovation work, you can still significantly improve your home's appearance and value with comparatively modest projects, like repainting or replacing siding.
|Do not leave out the landscaping when you are considering home improvements. Your lawn is seen first by people coming to your home. Keep your lawn manicured, and add shrubbery for beauty.
|Installing new ceramic tile in the kitchen or bath can be quick and easy. Choose either tiles with unique designs or a solid color scheme for a more elegant, put-together look. Putting in ceramic tiling is a good way to increase value and help your room look great.
|If you are bored with your home or find yourself running out of space, consider a renovation before simply deciding to move. Instead of getting used to a whole new set of design idiosyncrasies in a new home, a renovation lets you modify your existing living space to exactly suit your desires. Typically, renovations will cost less than a new home as well.
|It is important to utilize safety precautions when remodeling a home. Don't think you need safety gear in your home? Wrong--injuries can occur anywhere and to anyone. Having goggles, a breathing apparatus and hardhat will help keep you safe.
|Think about your porches and decks if you are looking to boost your home value through home improvement projects. It's the first thing to greet guests to the home. Add some potted plants and put fresh paint up. Spending a little money on home improvements while the market is down will add value to your home, which will benefit you when the market rebounds. Little things such as this make all the difference in the world.
Make sure to inquire about discounted supplies from retailers, as well as supply companies. Using discontinued or off season supplies can save you money on your next home improvement project. You could also wait for any store to have a sale before you decide to purchase. This is a great way to save money.
|When you go to hang new blinds, be certain to measure carefully prior to purchase and installation. You need to have the correct measurements of your window to install your blinds the right way. There are many types of blinds that you could use in your window's interior frame.
|Be safe on your home improvement project! Make sure the gas is off if you are working around the fireplace, in your kitchen in the basement or anywhere else there may be danger. Doing any home improvement around gas can be dangerous. Locating your gas shutoff valve should be your very first step. You need to know the location of your gas lines, too.
|Replacing old outlet covers is a simple and cheap way to freshen up the look of your room. After enough time, even outlet colors can become dingy or fade in color. Installing new ones can help make everything look fresher.
|It is common for gutters, eaves and chimneys to be neglected when home improvement tasks are planned. These systems are vital to the safety of your home; you have to inspect them regularly and fix problems immediately. Maintenance such as chimney sweeping, gutter cleaning and checking downspouts will prevent costly damage from leaks or water damage that you may not notice until it is too late.
|By repainting your walls, you can transform the look of a dreary, dated house. A whole room can look better with new paint. Painting is a cheap way to increase your home's value. Try using lighter colors that complement your home's decor.
|Free up space on end tables and night stands by using floor lamps instead of simple table lamps. Floor lamps are free standing and can be moved around, while table lamps take up quite a bit of table space. There are many elegant choices that you can enjoy while adding the light you need.
|Use something unique as a coffee table instead of buying one made for the purpose. Something like an old hope chest or a large stump can work well. You can even dress up a storage bin or shorten the legs of a larger table. The options are endless. Toss your magazines, coffee table books, a tray or other items on top to define the piece. A country look can be created with the addition of teacups and tablecloths.
|Consider renovating your home when the real estate market is not performing well. When homes aren't selling, it often means that contractors are not as busy as they would like, and they may discount their services. There is no expiration dates on home improvement. You will see your investment pay off once the housing market makes a turn for the better.
|When adding new siding to your house, investigate different insulation products. Some of the kinds of siding you can use is foam, house wrap, or whole wall protection. Decide what you want to spend and then find out what each one costs.
Whenever you're remodeling your bathroom, you may want to refinish your tub instead of having the entire thing replaced. A porcelain tub can be refinished in new colors, which can have a dramatic effect in a bathroom. Porcelain tiles can also be refinished at the same time, rather than having to replace them altogether. If there is no water damage in that area, it is unnecessary to spend money on replacing those tiles.
|When you look at any documentation at all from a contractor, focus on the type of paper it's printed on. It might seem trivial, but you can tell a lot this way. Generally, professional businesses use letterhead, which means the business has likely been in operation for a while. This is an important metric to use to avoid scams. Looking for letterhead isn't a foolproof way of avoiding scams, but it is a point in the company's favor.
|Adding big value to your home can be accomplished with even the smallest of improvements. If you are considering selling your home, consider undertaking a few small projects. One easy way is to apply new paint to the interior and exterior of your home. Something like this that is relatively low in cost can increase your home's value exponentially.
|You can use drywall mud to add texture and visual interest to your walls. This will also cover up any nicks or blemishes. Texturing is easy. Apply the mud to the wall and use a sponge, brush or bag to dab the mud to add texture.
|Carefully consider your monetary return on an investment before you start any project. Projects that will show a great return are the wisest to do. Some projects will add more value to your home than others. Take the time to research what types of home improvements are presently yielding the highest return.
|Before you start on any project ask your family or friends for a hand. By waiting until the project is started, you may have difficulty finding the extra help you need. You might have a hard time finishing on time, which would add more stress.
|The windows in your home may need to be improved. Whether you install replacement windows or glaze your existing windows, it will save you money. Install windows that are glazed two times. You may have to pay a bit more up front, however they will be worth it when they start saving you money on your power bill. These windows will also make your home more secure. If you're not able to afford new windows, you may want to repair your window frames.
|Composting can really help minimize the amount of garbage your home produces. This is easy to do by setting aside space and using fruit peels, vegetables, eggshells and coffee grounds. That way, you can limit the garbage you place on the curb each week, possibly reducing your trash collection expenses.
|A good piece of advice is to think about your climate when you are remodeling. For instance, if you live where you do not get a lot of warm days, do you really want to install a pool? If your home improvement does not match your local area, most likely you will not see a return on your investment.
|Before you begin making your home improvements, try to identify your personal style. Your personal decorating style is going to play a serious role in the decisions you will face. Without a clear plan in place, it is easy to lose sight of your creative vision. Adjustments mid-project can be very costly and not appeal to your budget.
When your home-improvement projects takes you outdoors, it is probably tempting to slip on a pair of headphones and listen to your favorite tunes. This can be a great way to motivate yourself while working, but do not use headphones for safety reasons.
|If you want to reduce your costs and beef up your home's security profile, add motion sensing lights to your property. Rather than staying on all night, motion-detecting lights activate only when movement occurs nearby. Intruders will also think twice about approaching your home, since their presence is highlighted when the lights flick on.
|If your roof is in need of repair, consider replacing your current roof with white tiles. Dark tiles absorb sunlight, increasing heat in your attic. Lighter colors reflect the sun, instead. This means you can actually go into your attic without feeling stifled by the scorching heat.
|Believe it or not, one of the best improvements for your house, hands down, is to simply paint the walls! This can increase the value of your home because it makes it look better. The key to making this a successful home improvement is to choose your colors wisely.
|Before you purchase new hardwood floors, have a professional investigate your current floors. You may already have one under old carpet! You are going to get nicer floors while spending much less.
|Consider replacing your front door entryway with a steel door one for an easy way to improve the look of your home. According to various studies, homeowners that invest in steel entry doors got about 129% of its cost when their home was sold. Steel doors are energy efficient and can make your home more desirable.
|If you hire a contractor for your home improvement work, make sure they carry proper insurance. If they do damage to your house and do not possess any insurance, you might have to have a court hearing just to get money when it comes to the repairs. Ask your contractor to show you proof of insurance.
|If you plan to purchase a home, be sure to get a professional inspection. Thus, you will not have to trust your own impression or the seller's word when it comes to necessary repairs. Enlisting a professional inspector who does not have a stake in the sale is a smart method of keeping things honest.
|You should consider receiving (or formulating) a reliable estimate of the overall cost of your home improvement project to be a vital part of the initial planning process. Budgets are the biggest issue homeowners run into when doing home improvement projects. Secure multiple estimates for any outside work you're going to have done, and add a contingency factor into your budget to deal with unplanned expenses.
|A new glaze can uplift the look of a bathroom. An old, worn bathroom can look new and shiny with a coat of fresh glaze. While replacing bathroom fixtures and floors is costly, bathrooms could be glazed for a much cheaper price. Glazing is a wonderful way to bump up the resale value of your house without spending too much.
Make sure to include adequate lighting when you remodel your bathroom. A lot of people will focus on the fixtures when they are remodeling their bathroom, and they often do not realize how essential the lighting is. If you add lights by the mirror and lights on the ceiling, be sure that the bulbs can be replaced easily.
|Since safety should be a priority in the home, have a family meeting focused on establishing escape routes. When there is a tragic accident or something beyond your control, people can tend to panic. If you have an escape plan from the house when you have an emergency may save lives. Hold a family meeting, discuss potential escape routes, and debate the pros and cons of each.
|Mansions aren't the only places that have chandeliers nowadays. For a small amount of money, you are able to purchase a gorgeous chandelier and make it a focal point in any room. A watt range from 200 to 400 is needed if you want a brighter chandelier.
|If you feel you want to take on major landscaping projects, make sure to plan your style in accordance with what will best complement your home. A new garden or outside dining area that goes well with your home's style will improve the entire look of your property, but things that clash will offer the appearance of insufficient planning and end up looking outright unattractive.
|Is your residence drafty? Many products actually use air to insulate a home. It is true, they use air. In many ways this insulation is similar to the way bubble wrap is used. For example, there are products that allow air to be pumped into small plastic cushions which are then installed into your ceilings and walls. This can be a cheap way to re-insulate your drafty home.
|Be aware of how long certain home improvement projects will last. For example, a chimney will work well for about a century. On the other hand, you may get less than 20 years' use out of a new wooden deck. Vinyl flooring simply can't compare to oak floors in terms of how long they last, as oak floors survive for as long as 100 years. These are options to consider when renovating your home for the long-term.
|Determine that a professional's work is guaranteed by reading their contract. A failure to properly read the terms may leave you with no recourse to take if the improvements don't hold up. You might end up with a leaky roof or faulty flooring and won't have any way to recoup the money. You want to make sure you have a guarantee, and you need to know how long it lasts.
|Do you want a cheap way to add a bit of class in your house? Replace the doorbell in your home to spice up the aura for your visitors. The new tone will immediately announce to visitors that something is different with your home.
|When hiring a roofing contractor, make sure the business is legitimate and trustworthy. Do your homework and adequately research potential roofing companies before you hire one. Make sure you check them out with the BBB, the DCA, and also do some searches online to find out if they are competent.
|If you are replacing your baseboards, boards which are stained are more visually appealing than those which are painted. It is a classically warm look of the wood looks great in any room of the house. Stained baseboards also do a better job of hiding scuffs and scratches. There are many options available in wood stains.
Ensure the space in your home can be looked at and pictured as that particular room. Buyers shouldn't have to guess what a space is supposed to be; have appropriate furnishings and accessories in each room. Buyers can then picture themselves living in the home more easily. A home with well-defined areas is more attractive and will sell much faster.
|It is important that you trust what your contractor tells you. If you know he is reputable, follow his advice. If your contractor tells you that a certain change will not look good, he is most likely speaking from experience. He will know best how to keep you within your budget. You should trust in your contractor.
|A new coat of paint is a great way to instantly transform and freshen a room on a budget. You can see a wide selection of paint colors at most hardware stores. Pick the ones that you love best, and take a chance! The neat thing about painting is that you can re-paint if you don't like the results.
|When it comes to home improvement, it is wise to plan ahead. It is impossible to be cost and time efficient on home improvement projects without adequate planning, and disaster will probably be the result. Proper planning results in a job that goes more smoothly.
|A lot of people may want to install a wood fireplace in the home, but this might not be your best option for a slew of different reasons. Wood fireplaces are not very efficient; even though, they're quite attractive. Unfortunately, the majority of the heat goes up the chimney. In addition to heat loss up the chimney, fires require oxygen to burn, and that oxygen needs to come from within your home.
|Painting is an inexpensive way to change the look of your home. You might not have the money to do a total home makeover, but painting it can make a real difference. A new coat of paint in any room in your house can yield a completely different and vibrant look. Remember, if you are not happy with it, changing it is always easy to do.
|It is not necessary to buy art at the store, try something different like some tiles. You can use wall decals that come in thousands of different designs that will fit any budget.
|Paint the outside or inside of your house. One coat of paint may spruce up the look of your home and alter the shading elements. Old furniture can be painted along with floor boards, this is a inexpensive way to give your home a fresh look.
|Add some character and curb appeal to your house with a pergola. Pergolas have become very popular among homeowners who wish to give their yards a natural, shaded look. A bit of help from friends and a pergola kit can make it easy to install your pergola in as little as a weekend.
|If your roof is in need of repairs due to cracking, try getting a roll of aluminum tape, three inches wide. Simply apply the tape by removing its backing and placing the sticky side to the surface you desire. This creates a surface that is waterproof covering for those cracks.
Now that you have some great tips and advice, there is no longer any reason to put off that project around the house. If you invest time in learning about the project before you start, you can do anything to improve your home.
About the Author:
Tight Line Exteriors is a customer-driven contractor of quality replacement Siding Windows Doors and
Gutters located in Marietta Georgia. We're confident we can deliver the highest quality window installation in Georgia to enhance the look and value of your home. Whether the job is a small home repair or a complete home makeover Tight Line is the ideal remodel construction partner for your trusted window installation.
