Tag Archives: finished basement

Top Home Improvement Tips Straight From The Experts

TIP! If you are looking to reduce you energy costs, you could change your lighting system to operate on motion sensors. You can still turn it on manually if need be, and you can also adjust sensitivity on some models.

Many homeowners never get started on their home improvement projects. However, they do not have to be. It does not have to be hard to do home projects. Homeowners who carefully plan home improvements and educate themselves about how to carry them out will surely be successful.

TIP! Cover power outlets using aluminum foil before you paint the walls. It is much easier to use foil, rather than tape, and it protects your covers from the mess.

One of the best places to start on your home improvement journey is the kitchen. Start with the walls; if there are grease stains, mix up a 2 to 1 solution of TSP and water. It will get rid of the grease and also remove much of the paint. Use shades of tan to paint the kitchen and you will be surprised at how much better the room looks.

TIP! If you are redoing your tile floors, look into radiant heat tiles. Radiant heat tiles distribute heat by using electricity and can be a welcome luxury on cold days.

A good tip is to put hot glue on your nuts and bolts to keep them in your storage containers. When you are trying to find just that one piece of hardware even the best of organized shop can present a problem. Even clear labels can seem like a blur when you are frantically searching multiple containers for a small part.

TIP! Solar panels are beneficial additions to any home. There is a substantial up-front cost, but compare that to free electricity each month versus rising costs.

Think about installing insulation. Weatherstrip your windows and doors, for example. Keeping air out of your home will help your cooling and heating systems work better. This will save you money on energy costs.

TIP! For a quick and affordable way to update the appearance of your master or guest bathroom, consider purchasing coordinated metal fixtures. There are many new looks and options for towel racks, curtain rods and other bathroom fixtures.

A good thing to consider is to ask a professional’s opinion before you start out on your venture. Often if you just get a opinion you can save some money and time. You can really screw up if you don’t consult with a professional first.

Extra Bricks

TIP! If you want to put two PVC pipes together, you will need PVC cement and PVC primer. You must use these exact products.

If there’s a home improvement project that you’re doing, getting extra bricks is something you may want to consider. When you are working with brick, it can be hard to find new bricks that match the old ones in color or texture. The style of bricks changes frequently. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy some extra bricks when you purchase brick for a project. Purchase as many as you can afford and store comfortably.

TIP! Locate your gas shutoff valve before beginning a project that involves your fireplace, kitchen appliances or anything else related to your gas line. It is also important to exercise extreme care in these circumstances.

Stain your basement floors in order to achieve a more attractive basement. It is fairly inexpensive, and it looks good as well. Adding a stain also makes your floors more durable and keeps them easy to clean. Look for a stain that will add lustre and shine. This can add the appearance of being high-end floors without the price tag.

TIP! The long blind cords in your home should be cut, tied or put in loops. The cords can easily strangle pets and children, if left dangling.

Finishing a basement is perhaps one of the best investments one can make. Your finished basement makes an ideal area for work, recreation or family time. Tools and materials needed to finish the job can easily be purchased from a discount retailer or supplier. Some say that a finished basement can boost a home’s resale value by a third.

TIP! When you intend to undertake a landscaping project that transform your outdoor space in a big way, make sure that your plans complement the general look of your home. A garden and patio that match the style of your home will help bring the whole property together, while clashing styles will look unplanned and even unattractive.

When thinking of replacing your cabinets, try using wood cabinets. Wood is strong and can handle a lot of tear and wear. Cabinets come in wood like oak, maple and cherry. To add a personal touch, you can stain any of these woods in one of dozens of gorgeous colors.

TIP! Turning a basement into a usable room is a great idea. Updating a basement can give a home much needed living space.

It is important to have clear idea of the cost of all supplies needed before you begin work on a home improvement project. If you buy in large quantities you may qualify for a discount. Sometimes, the materials or equipment you require are not available immediately. The whole project can be delayed if these things are not ordered ahead of time.

TIP! When you are looking for a contractor to help you with home improvement, compare the estimates you are given very carefully. Stick to one plan and present these reparations to each contractor.

Never allow a contractor to push the limits of your budget by offering expedited time frames. A contractor may have his own reasons for rushing a project. To maximize productivity. they may rush their employees. But this can be harmful to your budget if they try to charge for overtime work.

TIP! Paint your home’s entrance and purchase a new welcome mat. Your home’s entrance creates an important first impression of your home for visitors.

The above article showed you a few ideas how homeowners can better prepare themselves before they begin their home-improvement projects. So long as you do your research and make sure you are educated on the improvement project you are undertaking, there is no reason you can’t complete your project and improve the look of your home.

Improve Your Home The Right Way With These Tips

TIP! In terms of renovating your roof, use white tiles or other similarly-hued materials. Light-colored tiles will reflect sun rays rather than absorbing them, which will decrease the amount of built-up heat in your attic.

A lot of times people will assume that home improvement is too difficult for them to tackle. With an open mind, this is not true at all. The following tips will help you make the most of your home improvement plans.

TIP! Add some storage areas to your home by using old shoe boxes for loose items. Use old wallpaper on the shoe boxes to give them a modern design.

If you must patch small cracks on your roof, using aluminum tape could do the job. Remove the backing, and apply the tape to a surface that is clean. Your cracks will then be waterproof.

TIP! Don’t throw out your bedroom doors just because they’re dirty. Take the door down and then sand it.

You should have a clear idea of exactly what work is going to be done long before you kick off a home improvement project or renvotion. Developing a plan is a very important part of finishing your project on time and under budget. However, remember should you change any part of your plan, it will increase the cost of your project as well as the completion time of the project. Contractors will also be happier if you already have a good idea of what it is you want.

TIP! Do not go through demolition too quickly as you start your project. Closely examine the area behind cabinet or wall before demolishing it.

If your door is still squeaky after trying every imaginable method to fix it, you might want to buy a new hinge. You can usually get one at a local hardware store. Remove the current hinge and replace it with the new one that you purchased. Then, align the hinge parts and replace the pins.

TIP! You might find it easier to construct your own window screen if you can’t find a replacement in the size you need. Frame kits could be cut in any size.

Don’t underestimate the aesthetic power of a good door. It will be the very first and very last thing guest will view. Insulate your door properly to save on energy bills. Finally, if the door locks or frame are poor quality, then it can be easy for a burglar to break down the door.

TIP! Smooth wood before staining or painting it, then use a damp rag to wipe the surface off. Sanding the object with fine grit sandpaper will help give the object a smooth finish.

Install peepholes in your exterior doors. Know who is knocking on the door without having to open it! It’s easy and inexpensive to install a peephole in your door. All you will need is a power drill and some extra time. A peephole will let you confirm that it really is your brother at the door rather than a home invader.

TIP! A great improvement idea for a home with children is to pad sharp furniture. Many stores offer specialized corner protectors for such an occasion.

Interestingly, an attractive front door can add as much as 10 percent to the market value of a home. If you update your door and get a good door lock, you can choose from a lot of options.

TIP! To make your walls look their best, you do not necessarily need expensive artwork, you can decorate the walls with tiles. For example, you can use multicolored tiles to form a pattern or mosaic on a focal wall.

When your home improvement plans call for major bathroom renovations, do yourself a favor and make plans to make your bathrooms handicap-accessible. It is not necessary to completely convert the facilities right away, but making advance preparations is smart if you plan to spend your golden years in the house. If you want to move and sell your house, these tips will help you do some things around the home that will get you some more money.

Finished Basement

TIP! By repainting your walls, you can transform the look of a dreary, dated house. A whole room can look better with new paint.

A finished basement is an investment that never stops giving back. A finished basement gives you extra room in your home without adding an addition. Purchase the materials you need from a discount store. Finishing your basement can improve your homes value upwards of 30%.

TIP! If your home needs lots of repairs before you can live in it, take care of the most extensive repairs first. Relatively small projects like updating a bathroom, finishing the basement, or putting a new color of paint in a room can be done after you move in.

If you live in an area surrounded by undeveloped land or wooded areas, you might want to invest in a tall privacy or chain-link fence for your backyard. Doing this will keep wild animals, including coyotes, rabbits and skunks, from entering the yard. This is especially important if you intend to have a garden in your yard.

TIP! Put together a pleasant color pattern for each room. Formal areas of the house are best served by coloring in complementary colors.

While your project may seem overwhelming, you are now on your way to getting started. Keeping an open mind is crucial when making these repairs. This article can help during home improvement time. If you use the advice you will have a nicer home soon!

Easy Tips To Make Your House A Better Home

TIP! When baseboards are on the agenda for replacement, consider a stained wood look instead of painted. The classic look of finished wood complements virtually any home decor style.

If you aren’t sure whether you know enough to do a project, educate yourself to make sure. Doing the proper research before you start any project is the most important first step.

TIP! Replacing a door’s hinge may be the best idea if it squeaks. Of course, you can find them at any store that sells home hardware.

Do not allow any work to be done on your home without a proper contract. If you can, have a lawyer look over the contract before signing it. Start and end dates, work to be done and warranty information must be stated in the contract.

TIP! Before spending a lot of money on so-called “quality” supplies for any home improvement, make sure to shop around for better deals. Installing a new floor can be expensive, ensure you compare.

Home improvement projects allow you to stamp your own style on your home, and they can be simple to do if you plan projects out. Planning a project will help keep errors to a minimum and will save time. Pull ideas from magazines, others homes and anything that you really like.

TIP! Replacing an old roof can prove to be expensive for any homeowner. Always get a few estimates from reputable roofers and not just by the newest and cheapest roofing company.

If you are going to buy some furniture make sure they are simply colored. If you are buying things that have prints, this will stick you in a rut. Instead, buy solid colors in natural tones. Create patterns with pillows and throw blankets, and do not hesitate to change patterns regularly.

TIP! Consider your porch when deciding what areas of your home to improve. Your porch makes the first impression on any guest who is visiting your home.

Keep records of everything you are having done if you have decided to hire a contractor to do your home improvement tasks. Don’t make any assumptions that your contractor will do so. Keep a folder with all contracts and invoices relevant to the project you are doing. This helps you and the contractor stay focused on the job.

TIP! Use affordable motion detection lights in important spots around the house. By turning off the lights when no one is there to use them, these will save you money on your utilities.

Using the right type of lighting in any room makes a big difference in how it looks. A bright room appears more inviting and warm to everyone. Choosing to install an extra light fixture can add extra brightness to a given space. Adding light to a previously dark space can improve the entire house.

TIP! While many older houses have a lot of carpeting, many are left outdated and stained because of years of wear. Wooden floors are classic and will last considerably longer than even the most plush carpet.

Nobody should ever even consider hiring a contractor for home improvement jobs who is not licensed by a certified board or body. All states require general contractors to have some kind of certification. Though such regulations are not a guarantee of skill, they are nevertheless essential. Also, an uncertified contractor comes with the extra risk of possibly not having insurance.

Finished Basement

TIP! Accent lighting that is focused on your beautiful plants and shrubbery can help you to emphasize all that is great about your home. When positioned in the branches of a large tree, this type of lighting can simulate natural light, such as that of the moon or a hint of sunlight on a dark day.

Turning a basement into a usable room is a great idea. A finished basement acts as more room for your home, whether it’s storage or living space. You could purchase the materials that you need from discount stores. A home with a finished basement has a greatly increased resale value.

To make a space look bigger, do what interior designers do; move furniture away from the walls. In addition to a bigger look, a contemporary feel is added.

TIP! Choose a color scheme for your room. A complementary scheme of colors works great in an area that’s for formal activities, like your dining room.

Sufficient lighting is imperative if you want to increase the value of your home. It can be easy to lose focus as you incorporate new fixtures and looks. This can make it easy to overlook lighting needs. Find lights that you can add around your mirror or medicine cabinet, and add ceiling lights that can easily be replaced should the bulb die out.

TIP! When you have old hardwood, refinish it. This is a pretty big job, but not one that’ll strain your abilities.

Tackle small mold and rust problems as soon as you see them. Older homes often exhibit these small problems, and they can spread and become big problems very quickly. The smaller the problem is when you tackle it, the easier it is to deal with. If you wait until the problems become big, then repairing them can take a lot of time and require that you spend a lot of money. A bit of bleach can work miracles on little mold issues. Small rust problems can often be sanded away.

TIP! Make a budget, and include every detail you can. Unexpected expenditures can really add up, and one mistake can break your entire budget.

Keep an eye on the weather. A backyard barbeque or outdoor patio may be a bad investment if the weather is constantly stormy or rainy. Covering the patio may get rid of this issue, but you have to be willing to drop the money on the extras.

TIP! It is incredible how people sometimes settle for existing paint that’s in the rooms inside their homes. If they do choose their own scheme, they usually settle for something bland and uninspired.

Use the information you learned here to make the most of your home improvements. These tips will make your home comes out of its next home improvement project looking its best.

Follow These Rules To Instill Value In Your Home

TIP! The most important step in making home improvements is to make sure your home will look the way you want it to. A home improvement project gives you a great opportunity to add personal flair to your living space.

Home improvement projects are a great way to do something constructive while increasing the value of your home. Your best bet for success is to have the right knowledge. With the suggestions you’ve just read through, you should be much better prepared to plan and execute a stellar home improvement project of your own.

TIP! Weather stripping is important to include around your windows for energy efficiency. The savings on your energy bill will more than cover the costs of this inexpensive repair.

If you are purchasing a home, consider hiring a professional home inspector. Thus, you will not have to trust your own impression or the seller’s word when it comes to necessary repairs. Having a professional who is an objective third party is a good way to keep any findings civil as well.

TIP! A decent drill is a critical tool that you’ll need for almost any sort of home improvement work. You can have special attachment for different types of screws, and you can pre-drill holes in surfaces.

It’s important to do renovations which add value to your house. The more individualized you make your renovation, the less likely it is that someone else will want to buy it for enough to cover the cost of the work.

TIP! When considering your next big project, start by securing help from your family and friends. If you wait to ask for help when you have already begun the project, it might be to late for people to commit.

Determine the style that you desire before engaging in a renovation project for your home. Narrowing down what style you will decorate in is a big step. Without a clear plan in place, it is easy to lose sight of your creative vision. At this point, it may cost more to change the style back to what you originally intended.

Aluminum Foil

TIP! Before doing any work on electrical outlets, lighting, or any other item that is connected to your home’s electricity, be sure that the power circuit is turned off to the area you will be working on. This is such a simple thing, and it can be the difference between life or death.

Before you paint any walls, make sure you cover any electrical outlets with aluminum foil. Aluminum foil is easier to use compared to tape, and it protects your floors from unintentional splatters. Cleanup is easy with this method. Make sure your paint is fully dry before removing the foil.

TIP! Prior to staining or painting wood surfaces, it is wise to utilize sandpaper to help smooth them out, and then wipe all of the wood with a damp cloth. This process will make the wood look smooth and attractive.

Homes with an attractive view generally fetch a higher sale price. Always remember that the premium price brought by the view might not be thought of as a smart investment. Other buyers might not like the view as much as you, and don’t want to pay more for it.

TIP! Often, people will cut costs by purchasing cabinets that come without any hardware. Fortunately, you are able to get knobs, pulls for the drawers and handles at a hardware store or online.

A front door that makes a great first impression on potential buyers can increase your homes value by up to 10 percent. An easy, relatively inexpensive way to update the look of the front door is by replacing the existing doorknob and lock with a newer, fancier one.

TIP! Stripping, sanding and refinishing your old dining room table will create a whole new look in your dining room. It may not be easy to refinish a table, but it will look brand new in the end.

Wall-to-wall carpeting was common decades ago, but the carpets in these older houses are often badly deteriorated. Wooden floors have a classic feel and last longer than most plush carpets.

Finished Basement

TIP! Don’t overload a room with too much furniture. An over-furnished room will feel much smaller than it really is.

Finishing a project involving a basement is a good investment to start. A finished basement adds extra living space to your home for your family. Discount stores have everything you need as far as building materials. Some sources say that a finished basement can increase the resale value of a home by 30 percent or more.

TIP! When you paint your home’s exterior, you need to purchase good quality supplies. By getting a paint that has good quality, your paint will stay fresh a lot longer.

If your house has no shower, you should think about installing one. Not only are showers more accessible than bathtubs, you can also save much more water by using them, especially if your family is large. As compared to baths, a short shower utilizes under 25 percent of the water needed for a complete tub soak.

TIP! Change the look of your bathroom by installing a new wallpaper border or adding some new artwork into the decor. Wallpaper trim is cheap and offers many different designs, which complement almost any kind of decor.

It can be very rewarding to spend your time doing home improvement. To get the best results, you need to learn all you can about what you need to do. This article shows you the different steps involved in maximizing the quality of the jobs that you undertake.

Finding A Great Contractor To Do Your Home Repair Is Easy

TIP! Prior to purchasing a home, have it inspected by a professional. By doing this, you will know exactly what needs to be replaced or fixed.

Home improvement is a necessary task in home maintenance, but you need to understand what you’re doing and have the right materials. There are many designs, tools, and regulations you have to understand and choose. Here are just a few steps to make sure you do a safe, effective job.

TIP! You could add storage by making use of old shoe boxes. Use scraps of attractive fabric or wallpaper to cover the shoe boxes.

Rather than getting rid of your cabinets for new ones, refinishing the ones you already have can save you money. Paint the bases, replace fixtures and get new doors for a brand new kitchen. It will bring your kitchen into a much more modern look without the high ticket price.

TIP! It can be very expensive to purchase new furniture. Add some style to your home by buying good, used furniture at garage sales and thrift stores.

An over-the-range microwave is a great way to save space in an already cramped kitchen. Installed in place of your stove’s range hood, these microwaves come in many different prices and feature configurations. Many of these units feature a filter rather than outdoor venting, so they are better suited to situations that don’t require extreme ventilation.

TIP! Don’t buy furniture that has busy prints. If you are buying things that have prints, this will stick you in a rut.

New floor covering is a great way to update the look and feel of any room in your house. A reputable flooring company can install new hardwood, carpet, laminate or tile flooring in as little as one day. Alternately, you could visit your local home improvement store for do it yourself options.

TIP! When painting your home, whether just a wall or your entire home, first you have to know how much paint is needed. Do not guess how much the job is going to cost as you could be way off.

If you should happen to spot a water leaking from below the sink or under the tap, it is best that you do not try to patch up the leak yourself. Put a large container under the leak to catch the water and call a plumber.

TIP! Using wall mounts for TVs can free up quite a bit of space, as you can remove the stand or just clear the stand to be used for other things. There are kits available that make wall mounting a TV a simple and quick job.

Don’t throw out your bedroom doors just because they’re dirty. Sand the door to show the bare wood to use as a foundation. Next, purchase whichever oil-based paint you like and use a paint roller to paint the door. You can replace the knob to modernize the door if you’d like.

TIP! Do you have spots on your lawn where grass is not growing? If this is something you struggle with, pick up some grass seeds and work to fix your lawn. If your lawn looks bad, so does your home.

Create a contract with the handyman when they arrive to look at issues. By having a firm contract, you won’t have to worry about any extra charges or being exploited. If you don’t have a contract, you may be very surprised by your bill.

TIP! When picking contractors, be sure you get several estimates that are each based on the same work requirements. Have a list of things you want replaced or repaired, and let each contractor give you an estimate for the same job.

Before doing any renovations on your home, check out some open houses. You can look at the latest colors and styles and get some great ideas. A lot of these model homes hire decorators so you are able to see great style.

TIP! If you’re getting a contractor to take on some home improvement projects for you, it’s crucial that you ensure they’re properly insured. If an uninsured contractor screws up and causes damage to your property, it may be necessary to sue her to recover the cost.

Lights make a room complete. Bright rooms are warm and cheery and make people feel comfortable. You can also install additional light to create more brightness. The feel of the home will be better with brighter rooms.

TIP! Don’t choose a contractor just based on price. Although it might seem that they are giving you a great deal, some contractors rack up charges as they work.

Keeping everyone in your home safe is easy if you take the time to make an escape plan. When disaster strikes, panic often sets in. Making plans on safe ways to exit a home when there is a fire or other emergency can help increase the likelihood that all family members will escape unharmed. These simple improvements can increase your homes value, as well as help protect your family.

TIP! A great method of transforming a room in a hurry is to add wall paneling. Paneling can be relatively inexpensive and adds a new look to your home.

Chair cushions inevitably grow flatter with use. If you want to “fluff” up those cushions, and give them new life, use the sun. The sun drys out the stuffing in the cushion and restores the bounce. Be certain to flip the cushions over often, and bring them inside when possible so that the fabric does not fade in the sunshine.

Finished Basement

TIP! Figure out how long you plan on staying in your home. If you do not plan on living there for very long, it does not really make much sense to spend thousands of dollars on changes.

There are few home renovations that can take you as far as a finished basement. A finished basement gives you extra room in your home without adding an addition. Shop around for the best values to keep costs down. Some sources say that a finished basement can increase the resale value of a home by 30 percent or more.

TIP! Many people think that their houses will sell more if they have a underfloor radiant heating or a central vacuuming system installed. Meanwhile, they forget to paint the home’s exterior or repair the shutters that hang crooked.

If your house has no shower, you should think about installing one. Not only are showers more accessible than bathtubs, you can also save much more water by using them, especially if your family is large. A five minute shower uses much less water than a bath.

TIP! List steps and measures you will need to take before you start your home improvement project. Get another opinion from a contractor to find out if there are things you might have missed.

Home improvement can help you keep your home looking great for years to come, so it is crucial that you know what you are doing. Learning about this can make doing the repairs easier. Use the tips you just read to get started.