When you own your own space it can be hard to keep the home improvement bug from biting. With so many popular televisions shows showing you awesome renovations and quirky improvements it can be hard to resist making your home look that good too.
There are a lot of great ways to update the look of your home or make general improvements to your living space. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. If you aren’t sure about what adjustments are going to work well or which improvements matter the most you can find a lot of great advice online or even from friends.
You can schedule consultations with professional carpentry experts for estimates you can figure out a plan and budget, but if you aren’t even that far in the process and you need some ideas on where to start, check out this list of five tips before you start any home improvement project.
Pick a Timely Project
Most homeowners could come up with a list a mile long of home improvement needs they can dream about. But let’s be honest, you probably cannot tackle an entire list in one fell swoop so you have to make some cuts and decisions about what is going to be the best option.
Judge whether an improvement is necessary based on the impending season. Obviously, if your room needs fixing it will jump to the top of the list but other ideas might not seem quite so glaring. But if putting new windows in will keep your house more energy-efficient prior to winter, that may be the right project for you to decide on.
While you hate to think of your home as an investment it also isn’t a bad idea to consider which improvements will add more value to your house. Even some more minor improvements can generate a better return including a new front door, siding, and bathrooms, and should be considered if you aren’t completely set on where you want to remodel your home.
Don’t Overlook Outside
When you think about taking on a home improvement project it can be so fun to dream about a fancy new bathroom with a jazzy rainfall showerhead and heated floors. But if that isn’t a practical option for you don’t be afraid to look to the exterior of your home, you may find some projects that you will enjoy as well.
Getting new siding for your home doesn’t seem like it would be an exciting project but it really can be fun! New siding is a literal facelift for your house and you can completely change the way your home looks. You can change the color and style of your home quite quickly. Plus new siding may also include new insulation as well so it is a project well worth, not overlooking.
A new roof can also benefit a house’s retail value as well as changing the look of the house. Consider whether you’d prefer a metal roof or roofing tiles over typical asphalt shingles. If you want to go a more traditional route don’t be afraid to change up the color of the shingles, grey can certainly be lovely but so can green or blue.
Another outdoor improvement that could be fun is adding a deck to your home. A nice deck can offer outdoor space to gather with your family as well as excellent views of your lawn, decks are frequently great investments for a home’s value. Decks are wonderful additions to the usable space your home has and should be considered when working on home improvements.
Investigate Inside Projects
With so many options to choose from it can be hard to know which indoor project to attempt. But even a minor bathroom remodel can improve how your bathroom looks and works in your home. Recaulkingand reglazing a tub is easily done and can make a bathroom look refreshed quickly, as can removing any shower doors to give an illusion of space.
Adding on to your home is a major time and financial commitment but what if you aren’t using all the available space your home has? Converting an attic into an office or bedroom can add more square footage to your home and be an excellent home improvement fund. If your home doesn’t have attic space can you finish off your basement?
For a smaller project consider refinishing your kitchen cabinets. You can probably do this on your own and it can completely change the look of your kitchen. You won’t magically get loads more storage space but that storage space can look refreshed and chic easily making your time spent in the kitchen happier.
Should You DIY?
When considering a home improvement project and whether or not to DIY. It can be short-sighted to believe that taking on a project yourself will save you money so it is in your best interest to know all the facts and potential hidden costs before you jump in.
Not all projects are things that it is wise to try to do by yourself. Do you have the correct tools for the project you want to do? Unless you have a lot of home improvement tools at your disposal consider whether renting them will actually save you money over hiring someone. Not having a ton of experience or the right tools could be a sign that you shouldn’t try to DIY.
When you are looking for a handyman or contractor look for someone who has great reviews. This is one area where word of mouth is great, ask your friends who have had similar improvements done who helped them. It is okay to speak with a lot of people and get multiple estimates, your home is worth you taking your time.
No matter who will be doing the work in your home make certain that all the licenses are valid and that you have all the necessary permits needed in your city and state. If your town requires inspections of the project throughout the process be sure to get on their schedule quickly so your timeline isn’t delayed.
Make A Plan
There is nothing worse than starting a project and finding out that there are massive problems. A little foresight in this situation will certainly pay off. If you know what you’d like and what supplies you will need you can have everything ready to go so you won’t have to drive back and forth to the hardware store. A good plan will also help you stay on budget.
If you have materials that need to be ordered wait until they arrive to start the project or be prepared to stop when they become essential. Make sure that you’re on the same page with anyone who will be working on the project and everyone is clear with the plan. The old adage “measure twice, cut once” is also appropriate advice in this case.
Conclusion:
Deciding to improve your home can be an exciting time and when you follow these 5 tips you won’t feel overwhelmed by the process. Whether you’re dreaming big or starting small your freshly updated home is going to be inspirational for others who want to improve theirs as well. Just don’t be surprised when you want to start another project right away!