Anyone who has taken on a project around the home knows that it can get expensive and requires quite a bit of work. An average homeowner should be prepared to shell out 1-3% of their home’s value each year on maintenance and improvements. Fortunately, there are so many opportunities to save money on projects around the house. This article is packed with ideas and inspiration to help you do just that!
Be sure to protect your flooring when you paint. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Old newspapers placed in layers can work well and are cheap. Alternatively, you can use plastic sheeting or a painter’s tarp to keep paint drips off of your floors.
Proper Tools
The proper tools make the difference when completing a home project. Using the proper tools makes your job easier, safer and quicker. Also, the proper knowledge of how to use the tool will make a difference to how the job goes.
Turning off the water is important when you are working to improve your kitchen or bathroom. Whenever you will be working with pipes or the water supply, find the shutoff valve before you begin. This will ensure a flood does not happen.
If your work takes place anywhere near a gas line, such as a fireplace, dryer or the kitchen, turn the gas off before getting into your project. You must be very careful with these types of projects. Getting injured or starting a fire is not something that you want to happen as a result of your work.
The view from your windows may increase the value of your home. This extra cost, though, should not be considered an investment, but more of a charge for your viewing pleasure. Resale value will ultimately depend on finding the right buyer in the future.
If you’re thinking of making some improvements to your home, consider updating your front porch. A porch is highly visible to the public and gives a lasting first impression to guest visiting your home. Make sure it is all neatly organized and, if possible, add a little style with outdoor decorations, such as flowers, varnish, lights, or furniture. This helps add some property value.
A homeowner should always hire a licensed contractor to do any home improvement work. All sub-contractors and general contractors in every state are required to have certification. The requirements aren’t a guarantee of competence, but they are required. It’s important to realize that if a contractor doesn’t have proper licensing, he probably does not have proper insurance. This is a big risk for you.
An excellent investment for all homes is soundproofing the interior walls. However, it’s not really possible to soundproof every single wall. The important rooms to soundproof are bathrooms, bedrooms and equipment rooms. You may also want to soundproof your kitchen since its not open to a lot of other areas.
Don’t start painting your home’s interior until you’ve taken a damp cloth and wiped away any extra dust, dirt, or oil from the baseboards and walls. The paint will better adhere to the cleaned wall, helping you steer clear of splotches and multiple coats.
Do you hate that old dresser in the corner of your bedroom? You can revitalize your old furniture with sandpaper and some new finish. By refinishing furniture you already have, not only do you save money, but you get a great looking piece of furniture and the satisfaction of knowing that you made it look great. There are many colors of stain available.
Now that you have read the tips in this piece, you should be ready to realize significant savings when you buy materials for your next project. Making wise improvements and updates to your home is the best way to maintain your comfort and your investment in your home.