First Steps Hiring A Quality Home Remodel Contractor For You Job
Expert Tips That Will Help You With Your Home Improvement EndevoursWhether you own a crumbling, century-old Victorian, in need of a complete overhaul or an 80s-era gem, that needs a new kitchen, most homes can benefit from a bit of home improvement. All at once or a little at a time, this article will show you how to keep costs down and get the home you desire.
Begin your home improvement projects in the kitchen, where owners can see up to a 500% return on their investment. To give the room a fresh, clean look, paint the cabinets white and replace the hardware. Also focus on the counters; stay away from tile and purchase granite or imitation stone.
Design a renovation with an eye to creating built-in storage. For example, a broom closet can be reborn into a small pantry, or you can add floor-level shelving to a coat closest for shoes and bags. If you are renovating to sell a home, the benefit of the added storage can be the deciding factor in a buyer's decision.
Use shelf brackets to silence your squeaky stairs. Metal shelf brackets can have a multitude of uses. One use is to attach them underneath stairs to stop them from squeaking. Use a drill to quickly screw them into place. Be careful not to allow the screws to protrude through the steps!
Improve the outside of your home by landscaping with plants native to your geographical region. Native plants are proven to do well in your climate, so the long-term results are predictable. You can plan your landscape with confidence that the look you want to achieve will be the look you get. If you choose non-native plants instead, there is a risk that the plants may not thrive in your climate.
Clean out your home every few months by taking a look around and collecting items that you no longer need. It is a great feeling to update your home decor as well as giving unwanted items to charity. Take those things you no longer need and donate them to a local charity or orphanage. This will de- clutter your home and give you space for new items.
Improve the look of your kitchen with a natural stone counter-top. Stone counter-tops come in a range of patterns and colors, and are possibly the most durable surface that you can choose. Sold in slabs, they are waterproof and heat resistant, and resist scratches and stains. There are a number of popular natural stone counter-tops to choose from, including marble, slate, granite and soapstone. While they tend to be quite expensive, it is worth the investment, as they last a very long time, and add value to your house.
Adding window blinds to your windows is a great way to accomplish a sense of privacy. Many people don't use curtains or blinds because they want to let in natural lighting. However, don't forget that you can see outside, but whoever is outside, can also see inside. Window blinds can add to your privacy and come in different styles to choose from. You don't have to go with the cheap plastic factory blinds. You can find some really nice wooden or bamboo shades, that do the job, just as well.
The clear glass contained in windows is a major source of energy transfer, accounting for up to 20% of the total. Getting your bigger windows double-glazed can cut energy transfer by up to half, which will have a huge impact on your energy bills. What's more, it will keep indoor temperatures at sane levels, even if outdoor temperatures are sub-zero or 100+.
Do you need some extra storage in your kitchen? If so, then make use of empty two-liter bottles. The clear bottles will make it easy for you to see the foods that you have stored in them. They can conveniently be stored on a shelf or inside your refrigerator of freezer. Whenever you need them, simply twist off the cap and empty the contents.
Take note of the final location of all appliances when you are planning to remodel your kitchen. If you need outlets or gas lines moved or installed, be sure to arrange to have a licensed contractor tackle this job. Don't forget to have the contractor install a outlet in the cabinet above where the microwave will be housed.
When making a major renovation to your home, check into what kind of return for investment that you can get from it. The reason for this is that certain updates can be a bit of an overkill depending on what neighborhood you live in. This is especially important if you might be planning on selling your home within a couple of years of doing this renovation. If you do too much, you might not get your money's worth out of it.
This tip might seem like it is common sense, but you'd be shocked at just how many people do not shut off the main water supply before attempting plumbing repairs. You might cut off the water to a direct outlet, like the sink or toilet, but as long as the main is still online you could end up flooding your home.
When home renovations become part of your real estate plan, always pad cost estimates. No matter how expert the person is who gives you the estimate, you must include a safety margin. Even a contractor's overall estimate - which usually comes with its own contingency factor - should have a second margin put on top of it. Renovations almost never come in on-budget, so you should try to be prepared.
If you want the look residential home improvement of granite countertops in the kitchen but do not want to spend thousands of dollars on them, consider using granite tiles. When laid properly, high quality granite tiles can give you the granite a countertop for about 15 percent of what a granite slab countertops cost.
If you want a new dining table, sand down yours and refinish it. This may take a lot of time, but the process can make an older table feel brand new. Take your time to assure it looks its best.
Updating your home with new appliances will not only make your home look better but perhaps save you money in the long run. New appliances can save you money because newer appliances are more efficient. Look into buying energy saving appliances and see if you qualify for tax credits.
The most important thing you need to know when choosing a new siding for your home is to know the R-Value. The R-Value is the measure of thermal resistance used in the building industry. Be sure you know the R-Value that is right for your zip code. These statistics are available through the US Department of Energy.
In summary, there are some obvious ideas that have been tested over time, as well as some newer techniques that you may not have considered. Hopefully, as long as you follow what we suggest in this article, you can either get started with your home improvement project or improve on what you have already done.
