Home improvement can be great for the do-it-yourself homeowner, or the homeowner who likes to hire a professional to take on the project. Either way, you can’t go wrong with making repairs and doing some upgrading as long as you follow these tips and advice on how to avoid pitfalls and make the best decisions possible.
If you’re using a contractor, have a signed contract in place before work begins. You may even be better off if the contract is looked over by an attorney before the first hammer is raised. All information, such as warranties, completion dates, what work will be done and all costs involved should all be well defined and mutually agreed upon in the contract.
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.
You can spruce up your bookcase easily with wallpaper. Choose a design that is both interesting and one of a kind. Apply the chosen wallpaper inside of the bookcase. This way, the design will be visible behind the books. Not only will this bring an old bookcase back to life, it will be a signature piece in your room.
Only clean your furniture with furniture cleaner. Meanwhile it is tempting to just use a rag cloth and run over your furniture with water, it in fact ends up damaging your surfaces. Use specialty cleaners such as Pledge and spray liberally over your surfaces. It not only protects your finishes, but also repels dust.
Match your fire extinguisher to the room where it is being used. The color will be the same old red but fire extinguishers are classed according to function. Class B’s are most appropriate for the kitchen but Class A’s would probably work well in the rest of the house.
Tie a t-shirt around your face! Don’t have a dust mask when you’re sanding? Shame on you! If you’re in a pinch though you can improvise with any close weave natural fiber. It isn’t the best solution but it certainly beats having no protection for your respiratory system whatsoever!
Chandeliers might also be a nice touch. Some chandeliers are not very expensive at all, and can provide a very elegant look in your dining room. To really brighten up your fixture, try and get a total wattage of at least 200.
Get ready for winter by insulating your plumbing. Any hardware store will have a selection of foam insulation and other products to help you easily cover your pipes and protect them from the cold. This will keep your pipes from freezing and bursting.
Whether you are improving your own personal residence or an investment property that you will use for resale or renting, the tips we have discussed in this article will set you well on your way to higher property values as well as hassle free and financially responsible remodeling projects.