Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation
of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur
do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves.
Could I do it? Where do I begin? What improvement projects
will generate the biggest increase in the value of my home?
What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?
There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or
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your home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing
tastes and lifestyle but you don’t want to leave a desirable
neighborhood, maybe all you need to do is make one or two basic
changes. Altering a color scheme, converting a bedroom into a
home office, or upgrading the kitchen and bathroom are practical
improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial value. If a
move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that
will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it’s time to
sell.
Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list
with three categories:
* Must have
* Would like to have
* Dreams can come true
When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have
available or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited
funds, make a realistic estimate of what you can afford. Are
you planning major renovations that will require the services of
an architect or a contractor? Will you need an electrician, a
plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work can
you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account
as you pare down your list into affordable home improvement
projects.
How Do You Begin?
Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want
and think you can afford, and include a design of rooms to be
remodeled. If you are going to require professional help, now is
the time to talk to contractors, plumbers, and other tradesmen,
and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping is a must. If
you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and
tools needed. If you can’t afford to do everything on your
list, reassess your prime needs and make a new plan.
What Projects Are Key?
The best projects for improving the value of your home are,
happily, the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself,
even if you are a super klutz. Ask any real estate agent for
tips on how to prepare a home for resale and you will be told
that the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter
removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning
and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore,
are the jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The
premium projects that usually require professional help are
kitchen remodeling first and bathroom remodeling second. These
particular upgrades will provide the best return for your money,
and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.
Clean Everything in Sight
Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and
if you are remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust
has settled. You will need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium
phosphate or its equivalent to wash most surfaces inside and
outside the house. There are also special cleaners for glass,
tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for getting rid
of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware
store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every
material and for solving almost every cleaning problem. Make
sure rooms are well ventilated whenever you are cleaning,
carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and a mask.
Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires
adequate home storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves
and bins, and sufficient strength of mind to discard all junk,
no matter how much you love it. You can buy easy-to-assemble
shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes and materials
at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used
to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items
as incoming mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting
rid of dead trees, dead branches, broken slabs and stones in
patios and walkways, and tidying up the garden and lawn. When
faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle it, hold
a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice – get
rid of it.
Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your
list of preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps
make your home look clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting
colors for the exterior, don’t forget to do something about that
bland front door. Have fun! Fresh, harmonious colors add
beauty and personality to your home both inside and out.
Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List
Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a
complete overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your
home. Purchasing new cabinets and appliances are worthy goals,
but you can also make minor changes that will create impact.
If you can’t replace the kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet
doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add molding
to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware.
It’s not that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated
sink, and if you can’t afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher,
don’t hang on to those gold or avocado monstrosities – buy
attractive reconditioned replacements.
Bathroom remodeling
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is the next most important improvement and the biggest dividends
come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower
stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again,
if you can’t manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old
taps, faucets and showerhead; add shelves; and paint and
redecorate the cabinets.
Other Projects to Consider
After you have decided on and planned for the most important
home improvement projects, new window covering and upgraded
flooring should receive your attention. You can choose from a
large array of window dressings and styles, or simply buy fabric,
turn hems with iron-on tape, and dramatically drape the material
over attractive curtain rods. Shutters are another possibility
and lend themselves to many different decorating styles.
Your choice of flooring is limited only by your taste and budget.
Rip up the old carpet and replace it with contemporary hardwood
flooring or laminate flooring. If you already have hardwood,
simply sanding and re-staining it or giving it a clear finish may
give your rooms the lift they need. Other flooring replacements
that can transform a room include tile, vinyl, linoleum, or
textured rubber.
Finally, save a little energy and money to improve the appearance
of your yard. Maybe all you have to do to improve the landscape
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is trim, mow, weed, and then plant a few flowers. Adding or
upgrading an existing patio, deck, or walkway can also be very
worthwhile.
Choosing the best modeling and redecorating projects will not
only increase the long-term value of your home, they will also
provide satisfaction and pleasure for you, the smart homeowner.
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