Some jobs are easy for a properly-prepared homeowner to handle, but some require expert assistance. Read this article to know when to call a professional and when you can do it yourself.
Ased Paint
Repainting a porch may be something you need to do. If so, make sure the paint you use is good quality. It’s important that you select paint that has the same base. For example, you want to use oil paint over oil-based paint or latex paint (water) over paint with a water base. Since oil-based paint generally lasts longer, it is great for trim. However, since snow and water make it extremely slippery, you should not use oil-based paint on any outside surface that is walked on.
If you do find leaks beneath the sink or the faucet, avoid fixing it yourself. Call an expert and get the job done right.
If you have an attic, insulate it to save on winter heating costs. Heat will rise and you lose a lot of it out of your roof if it is not insualted. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it’s quite simple to install.
The cost of getting a new roof is often one of the more costly things to fix on a house. Talk to at least three different roofers to secure estimates — and call their references. Tile, metal and wood shake are some options for roofing materials you can decide on. A reputable roofing contractor can help you take the mystery out of choosing.
Display your jewelry and make it part of your home decor by hanging it on your walls with decorative hooks and other easy-to-install hardware. Never hang your more valuable jewelry, of course, but hanging costume jewelry is a great way to organize it while adding interest to a room. Your signature pieces of jewelry can add a personal touch to your room’s decor and also keep your necklaces and bracelets tangle free. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.
Front Door
A well-built, immaculate front door can raise a property’s value by up to 10%. New hardware and a fresh coat of paint allow you to update your front door inexpensively.
If an older person lives with you, you should plan your house in a way so that it’s safe for them to live in. A shower stall that you can step into is much safer than a bathtub with a shower. Simple changes such as grab bars can make your home more comfortable and safer for your parent as well.
You can improve the look of a bathroom by giving it a new glaze. A glaze can brighten up a dingy bathroom, and can take it from looking worn to shiny and clean. While replacing your bathroom floors or fixtures is costly, a bathroom can typically be glazed for only a few hundred dollars. It can improve the look and the value of the home while not spending much money.
Do not listen to contractors who tell you that they can finish a home improvement job in a ridiculously short amount of time. Contractors have their own reasons for getting things done super-quickly. They need to move on to the next paying job. The opposite can be true as well. If the workers are spending too much time on a project, they may be trying to charge you more for overtime hours.
If you have the energy and creative mindset to try new things, consider making a new bed set yourself. It is tough, but with effort and hard work, you can build something that is unique, customized just for you, and truly gorgeous.
Increase your home’s value by refinishing your floors. Re-finishing floors is a big job, but it is not a very difficult one. You can find the proper equipment and maybe even classes at a hardware store near you. This can save you a lot of money.
Change window treatments to most rooms a new and fresh look. Window curtains are generally affordable and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. By selecting certain fabrics, you can significantly improve your room’s character. You might even customize your room every season with fabrics and colors which reflect the time of year; rich colors for winter and fall, and bright, airy colors for summer and spring.
Be flexible with your home improvement plans. You may have a date in mind, but things happen. Although it’s important to set a budget for home improvement work, you should also be prepared for surprise expenses. Flexibility is your friend in the home improvement process.
Before you attempt to repaint a wall with glossy paint on it, use a good primer. This gives the new paint a better surface to which it can adhere, preventing it from peeling. It is very useful to prime when changing the color of your walls from a dark shade to a light one because it could decrease the number of times you have to reapply coating.
Search for videos that will teach you how to complete the project you are working on. You may be surprised when you discover how many other people had the same difficultly you have, but videotaped what they did and put it on the Internet for everyone to see. Viewing these videos allows you to learn from the experiences of others.
Really Understand
If you’re about to tackle a new home improvement project, you should be careful not to underestimate the amount of work it will require. Do your homework and consult with experts if need be to be sure you really understand how best to approach your project. When you really understand the procedure and its possible pitfalls, then you are better equipped to handle any problems that may pop up.
Some home improvement jobs need to be handled by a trained professional. By heeding the advice in this article and only taking on projects that you know you can handle, you can save yourself an awful lot of trouble, not to mention money.
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