Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Home Improvement Tips You Shouldn't Pass Up On

By Steve David


Some think that home improvement should be left to the pros, but that just isn't true. Home improvement projects can actually be a lot of fun to complete on your own, whether you have experience or not. The key is to have some sensible advice. Read on to discover some neat tips.

If you require the help of a home contractor for your home improvement project, make sure that you take the time needed to collect various estimates so you can do some great price-shopping. This will ensure that you are getting the best price possible for the contracting services that you need.

When it comes to home improvement, think twice about decorating the walls of your house in anything extreme such as a wild color or print. A potential buyer may get a bad impression by seeing a house decorated in a way that is distasteful to them. They may choose to look elsewhere, if they do not want to put in the work to redecorate.

When hiring a contractor to do home improvements for you, always shop around and look for the best price. Always get at least three estimates and check the references and previous projects done by the contractor. Many contractors take a lot of pride in what they do and they are more than willing to show you photos from previous projects or referrals from happy customers.

By installing crown molding, you will be updating your home with a crisp and fresh look that is surprisingly high-impact. At just over a dollar per square foot, you can splurge on molding that complements your window trim, flooring and baseboards. This look is timeless and easily adds value to your home, even after many years.

Maybe the house or apartment you're living in is great, but the view to the outside is not. If you have any offending sights that you wish to conceal, consider putting some plants or flowers on your window sill or in a window box. If you would like to take drastic measures in concealing your offending view, plant some shrubs or large trees in front of your window. This can ensure that you have a nicer view.

When you need to find someone to do some work on your home, but no one has any recommendations, be sure to do a thorough search on the company on the internet. You should check reviews from previous customers, as well as to check the better business bureau. This could save you a lot of money and a big hassle in the future.

A good tip for those of you looking for home improvement tips is to make sure you do not underestimate your project. Before you begin, you should make a list of everything you are going to need and the steps you need to take. This will allow you to get an estimate of how long it will take and how much it will cost.

For a beautiful addition to your home, consider turning two windows that are close together into sliding glass or french doors. With glass doors, you are allowing the light to come in as well as the beauty of the world outside your door. Being able to look out at nature while having your first cup of coffee will make the investment worthwhile.

Install smoke detectors in every room of the house. Smoke detectors are cheap, and they can save your family's life in the event of a fire. All you need for installation in most cases is a screwdriver. At a bare minimum, make sure you put one in the kitchen and one near the door of every bedroom.

Children tend to stick their fingers where they don't belong and touch things they shouldn't. Leaving your outlets uncovered leaves the chance of your child getting electric shock. You can buy small plastic covers from your local store for electric outlets to keep your child from reaching in and getting shocked.

The homes with the most updates are the ones that frequently sell faster. One of the most profitable decisions that you can make is to update and remodel your home prior to sale. It will make prospective buyers feel that there is a minimal amount of work to be done after the purchase.

Is your garage door looking a little bit drab? Try to add some color to it by painting it with a fresh coat of paint. Because you constantly move your garage door it can get worn down quickly. If you add a new coat of paint, your garage will look fresh and new again.

The saying "Good fences make good neighbors" isn't highly repeated for no reason. A great home improvement project is to build a fence around your property. Not only will this increase your property value but it will also give you an additional sense of security and some additional privacy, not to mention they tend to help with neighborly relations.

Know your building codes. If you plan on doing work yourself, you should always be aware of how that work should be done, and what needs to accompany it. You do not want to finish a job only to have a building inspector tell you that you violated a code in the process.

In this tough economy, do major remodeling only if you have a reason. Selling your home, welcoming a new member to your family, or improving your living arrangements are good reasons to remodel. However, changing your home on a whim, when you don't have the budget, can put you at a real disadvantage.

When you are installing new cabinets yourself. Start with the top set first. This way you will have plenty of room underneath to stand and navigate as you hang the top ones. The bottom set are much easier to install as there is no holding up a heavy cabinet while it gets screwed in.

There is nothing like coming home after a long day to a beautiful home that is just the way you want it. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to making great home improvements that are reliable. Keep working at it, even if it's by doing one small project at a time. With some commitment, you could be working towards creating your dream home!




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