Tackling home-improvement tasks is something many find to be a daunting prospect. However, all that is needed for successful projects is knowledge about the best materials and methods. Put these tips to work on your next job, and you will be well on your way to creating the home of your dreams.
Changing a tire can be problematic if you don’t happen to be an influential person. Loosening the lug nuts, in particular, can take more strength than many of us have. Use a cheater bar! A yard long piece of pipe that is just big enough to fit over the end of your lug wrench will give you that extra leverage to get the job done.
Avoid making expensive renovations based on personal tastes. Spending $1,000 a tile on your bathroom may seem like a good plan, but the odds are if you eventually sell, you will not recoup that money. If the change is not something that can be appreciated by someone other than you, consider doing something different.
Shop around for good deals on quality supplies for your home improvement projects. Adding new flooring can cost quite a bit of money, so make sure you do your research and compare prices. For instance, check those supply stores, check for overstocks or returns, and check out discount retail chains.
Begin your home improvement projects in the kitchen, where owners can see up to a 500% return on their investment. To give the room a fresh, clean look, paint the cabinets white, and replace the hardware. Also, focus on the counters; stay away from the tile, and purchase granite or imitation stone.
If you have a young adult in the house, dressing up, their pillows can be simple. Use old clothes that aren’t being worn anymore, including band shirts, old jeans, and cool shirts, and cut and sew the pieces together so that they can fit onto the pillows. This is a fun way to decorate with panache.
Search around and price out different contractors to get the best deals. The best way to feel safe when getting a contractor is to ask a friend or family member who has had their home remodeled by one for a good recommendation. This way, you know you’re hiring a reliable contractor that you can trust to fix up your home.
Pile your home improvement lumber behind your couch! Don’t have a place to store your long pieces of lumber while you’re working on a project? Just pile it neatly behind your couch, and no one will ever know it’s there. You’ll keep it dry, safe, and ready for the next time you are inspired!
If the cabinets in your kitchen are out of date or in bad shape, consider replacing them or resurfacing them before you attempt to sell your home. Kitchen remodels, such as replacing cabinets, usually offer a 100 percent return on what you spend. Kitchens are a big selling point when someone is looking to purchase a home.
If you have wood or faux-wood paneling in your home, consider refinishing it rather than getting rid of it in a renovation. Removing the old paneling requires having it hauled away, while new wall covering must be brought in. Wood paneling can be easily sanded down, and the voids filled in with drywall compounds.
Replace your old curtains with new ones. A faded set of curtains will take away from the look of the entire space. By eliminating them, you will add a dramatic feel to your room without going through all of the work of painting the room. It is an affordable and easy way to get a new look.
For home improvement projects big enough to require a contractor, you must get a contractor you can trust. Review a prospective contractor’s history and talk to his previous employers. Any disputes, lawsuits, or cost overruns you find in a contractor’s background are serious warning flags. Remember to ask the contractor to explain anything troubling you turn up, though.
Get new window treatments. Window treatments are a cheap, fast way to change a room’s appearance, and something as simple as replacing window treatments can help you re-imagine a space. Stick to fabrics and materials that are easy to clean, and you’ll be on the way to great window coverings that look great.
For trouble-free landscaping, take care to choose plants, bushes, and trees that are native or naturalized to your area. When you do this, you will find that you have been much more successful landscaping projects. Additionally, your native or naturalized plants will need very little care and water to keep them healthy and happy.
If the purpose of your home improvement project is to help sell the house, you should keep in mind that simple cosmetic changes are often more effective than installing new complex systems. For example, while a floor heating system might be a very cool feature, a simple paint job is more effective. A paint job makes the house look fresh and attractive to all potential buyers, whereas a floor heating system is just a neat add-on and not a selling point.
Stucco is an excellent material to use if you are considering replacing your home’s the outside siding. Stucco is relatively easy to install compared to wood or vinyl siding. Once it is installed, it will last a good number of years as well.
If your driveway is asphalt, keep an eye on it for cracks. Keeping your driveway clean and free of debris is the first step in good driveway maintenance.
To find some fantastic deals on home improvement supplies, check out thrift stores in your area. Often, when people do some remodeling, they donate the items they may have replaced in their home, i.e., light fixtures, sinks, and faucets, and surplus items they bought and do not need. While you may not be able to count on a thrift store having everything you need for the job, you should be able to stock up on many of the basics.
Working to improve your own home is something that intimidates many. The key to succeeding in such an endeavor is arming yourself with the right information before you start. Using the tips and advice in this article, you will have the education necessary to significantly increase your home’s appeal and value.
