by Ted

Home Improvement Projects Can Be Fun – Just Take Some Good Advice

Home ownership is expensive and time-consuming, as any homeowner will tell you. Statistically, homeowners spend about 1 to 3% of their home’s value each year on home repairs. Although this kind of work is practically unavoidable, it need not be so expensive and time-consuming. The tips presented here can help homeowners save time and money.

Often, the value of your home can be increased with a small or simple improvement. If you want to sell your home, think about doing some small home-improvement projects. For example, give your house, inside and out, a fresh coat of paint. For just a few hundred dollars, you can boost your home’s value by close to a thousand dollars!

A great way to lower the cost of your electric bill is to use a motion sensor light instead of a regular porch light. You can manually turn the light on and adjust sensitivity most of the time.

TIP! Under no circumstances should you permit a contractor to start work on your house if there is no agreed upon and signed contract. If you have the time and the funds available, have the contract legally reviewed.

Applying a new coat of paint to your porch may be needed. You should use a high quality exterior paint. Make sure the bases of the old and new paints match. That means using oil-based paint if the existing paint is oil-based, and the same for water-based paints. Oil-based products are perfect for trim because of their longevity, but they should not be applied to decks or outdoor flooring, because it gets slippery in inclement weather.

Think about your improvments before you make your final decision. All improvement jobs require a well formed plan to ensure completion on time without going over the available budget. Adding impulse features in the middle of the project can cause your costs to skyrocket and your time frame to escalate. Contractors will also be happier if you already have a good idea of what it is you want.

When you have to do a home improvement you have to pay a lot of attention to the visible parts of the home. Your buyers are going to judge your home by what is visible and things like an overgrown garden or paint that is peeling can lose a sale in no time. While some home improvements are not visible to the eye, it is imperative you focus on projects that are clearly obvious and visual.

TIP! The next time you complete a project around the home, dedicate one specific space for debris and waste. It can be rather costly getting rid of all the rubbish, so make sure to plan ahead and save yourself some money.

When a lock needs replaced, try replacing the whole assembly or just the cylinder. The part of the lock called the cylinder is a piece that does the locking action. Just replace the cylinder if your only goal is to make sure your old, lost key won’t work in the door anymore. If you want to install an upgrade, then revamp the entire unit.

When choosing paint colors, opt for colors like light blue, light purple or light green to produce a tranquil space. Make use of cottons and linens rather than heavier fabrics. Put some potpourri around the house or some candles with scents, this will create a peaceful environment.

When you are thinking about doing any remodeling, you should always consider the landscaping. The front of your home, including the yard, is the first thing that others see of your residence. Sometimes it is the only thing people see. So make sure that you always fix up the front of your home and its landscape so that your home has nice curb appeal.

TIP! An easy way to protect walls and floors from marks, and to protect your young children while you’re at it, is to pad furniture with sharp edges. You can do this with either corner protectors or foam tape.

Put peepholes in your outside doors! Know who is knocking on the door without having to open it! Peepholes are a snap to put in and a high value, low cost improvement you can add to your home. All you will need is a power drill and some extra time. Having a peephole will avoid the apprehension you feel when opening the door to a potential stranger.

You should insulate your pipes before winter strikes to prevent the lines from freezing. It’s easy to find weatherizing tape or foam insulation to use on on your pipes. This tape will keep your system from freezing, and you will not have to replace any burst lines.

If you’re doing the home improvement projects on your own, be sure you buy high-quality supplies and tools. Top supplies can lead to a job well done and will rarely need replacing. High-quality equipment is built to last, and you will get many years of use from it. Therefore, you should purchase quality tools that will last for a long time.

TIP! Be cautious when choosing a drain cleaner for your most stubborn clogs. Different types of cleaners won’t contain the same ingredients, and some can be much harsher than others.

Consider sanding down your old family table and applying a new finish when redoing your dining room. You can make your old table look new after you invest the time in this project. If you do that, be certain you do it slowly so it looks wonderful.

Simply replacing existing outlet covers with new ones can add a fresh look to your living space. Dirt and dust can cause the covers to discolor over time. It can really make a big difference in the appearance of a room.

Older homes tend to have carpet throughout the home, but years of use can cause a lot of damage. Wood is a classic flooring material that will last for decades and requires minimal maintenance.

TIP! Homes lose heating through windows. If you add some glaze to big windows you might cut back on this by half, your energy bills will be less and you will be more comfy when it is really hot outside.

Crown Molding

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It is amazing what a difference crown molding can make on your walls! When faced with plain walls, you can create a new atmosphere by adding crown molding, both visually and in texture. Crown molding can be a great investment because it is relatively inexpensive and can be easy to install.

Air conditioning units are not known for their sleek design and visually appealing appearance. You can hide this with a trellis or latticework if you want to. Remember to leave at least one foot of empty space between whatever camouflage you choose to use and the unit itself.

TIP! It is always wise to draw up an estimate of the costs involved with any home improvement project. This allows you to save money by buying some or your supplies in larger quantities.

Once you have reviewed the advice on home improvement idea from this article, you will feel more confident that the money you invest in improvements will be money well spent. You will be able to complete the desired home improvement projects while saving money.