Performing your own home improvements doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but people experienced with remodeling, repairing, and improving their homes know that a few simple tips and tricks can make a huge difference. If you’re thinking of embarking on some new home improvements, bear the following tips in mind to make sure everything goes right and nothing goes wrong.
When it comes to home improvement, be aware that you should never pay more than 35% of the project cost up front as a down payment. This is to ensure that you do not lose your money if the contractor backs out. Always pay by some method of payment that can be tracked such as check, instead of cash. Finally, only pay for the complete job when the job is actually completed.
Resurface the concrete walkways and driveways around your home for a new look. Replacing concrete can get incredibly expensive and doesn’t add much to the curb appeal of your home. Consider resurfacing with cobblestone or brick which will cost a fraction of replacing concrete and will look like a million bucks.
Focus on exterior lighting for your next home improvement project. Installing an outdoor motion detector is a good choice; the sensor will ensure that the light only comes on when you need it to. Not only does this save you money on energy bills, but the motion detector is also a good security feature. It alerts you if anyone is walking around your property.
When it comes time to purchase furnishings, shy away from living room pieces that have active patterns in the upholstery. Purchasing items that have distinct patterns such as floral or geometric shapes prevents you from being creative with your other decor. If you stick to solid, neutral colors in upholstery, (e.g. beige, brown, green, or black) you’ll have plenty of flexibility when you start to accessorize. If you feel a need to add some extra color, just include colorful pillows or a funky new throw to spice things up a bit.
If you have the space and it is allowed under city ordinances, consider adding an extension to your home. The extra space can be used as an office, den or family room. Consider putting a skylight in your addition. These add ons will increase the value of your home considerably.
Removing wall paper is something that may sound easy, but it actually takes some skill. You need to know what type of wallpaper you need to remove, and what type of wall you have. Based on the wallpaper you have, you then either need to dry-strip it or soak it and scrape it off. Make sure you do your research to determine what needs be done.
These simple tips should have helped you see some new perspectives on home improvement, which will get you thinking creatively about what will work and won’t work in your own home. Learning to think cleverly about how you make improvements will be a valuable skill as you gain experience and tackle more complex home improvement jobs.