With entire television networks and multiple magazines dedicated to home improvement, it’s easy to see why home renovations are quickly becoming the fastest growing trend in North America.
Giant, big-box stores and smaller, specialty retailers are popping up all over and they all have their own catalogs. Whether you’re planning a one-room design idea, pricing tile or working on an estimate for a total house overhaul, free home improvement catalogs are a great way to get inspiration and price points for every project. Keep reading for five tips on how to find the best home improvement catalogs and how you can use them to help plan your next project.
1. Call your favorite manufacturers.
If you love your best friend’s new kitchen tile, ask who made it and call that company to request a copy of their latest catalog. They’ll gladly send it out to you along with the contact information for a local sales representative.
2. Ask at your local hardware store.
Because company reps visit home renovation retailers, they often drop off piles of free catalogs that are chock full of product information, prices and design ideas. Simply ask your local store clerk if they have any catalogs that you could take home to browse through. They’re happy to distribute them.
3. Search online.
Most manufacturers either make their full catalog available to browse online or they provide a simple order form that lets you request a mail-order copy of their free catalog right from your home office. You can also use the web to hunt down new companies and look for products you wouldn’t normally try. Check home improvement and design blogs for ideas on manufacturers to investigate.
4. Attend a home improvement “show.”
Attending a home improvement show or exposition is the best way to see a lot of products in one place and pick up hundreds of free home improvement catalogs. Most manufacturers set up booths with sales reps who can not only demo their available products, but also answer your questions. Their sales reps are happy to give out full catalogs along with their contact information for future sales.
5. Don’t forget the specialists.
Some companies do absolutely everything. Others are highly specialized and may only make designer faucets or unique drawer pulls. When building your home improvement catalog collection, remember to include the specialists. Take the time to at least glance through a few home improvement catalogs. They are packed with great ideas they may sway your ultimate do-it-yourself project decision.
By: John Rutledge
Archive for February, 2010
How to Find Great Free Home Improvement Catalogs
February 28th, 2010Quick Guide To Home Improvement Grants
February 27th, 2010
With real estate being so hard to sell nowadays many people are content just staying in their original house. For this reason home owners are more open to embarking on home improvement projects to make their house more livable. Yet, they usually encounter a major snag in their endeavors, namely, finding a way to come up with the funds. With home improvement projects ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, many home owners feel that they just cannot afford to fix up their house. Fortunately, with the help of home improvement grants, they no longer need to feel that way.
What is a Remodeling Grant?
This type of financing is a sum of money given by the government for the purposes of fixing up one’s home. They are better than a loan because they do not need to be paid back. Yet, many people think that because a grant is associated with the government, they must go through a drawn-out bureaucratic process in order to get approved. While this may be the case for other types of federal grants, it isn’t so for home improvement grants.
Why is this? It’s because usually home improvement grants are given if:
1) a house is deemed to be inhospitable without renovation,
2) a person needs to renovate because of a disability or
3) a person is aged 62 or older.
A professional inspector is sent out to the house in any of these scenarios to determine if repairs or renovation is needed.
So, the downside to home improvement grants is obvious. A person can’t get one if they want to add luxuries such as a pool to their home. However, there are still many homes in America that require repair work that would cost more than the owners can afford and these grants come in to their own in such circumstances. Common problems that are covered by a home improvement grant include plumbing issues, mold, roofing and insect extermination.
By: Phil Nichol
Spring Home Inspection – Keep Your Home In Top Shape
February 27th, 2010
Most major repairs can be prevented if homeowners conduct an inspection of their home each spring. Catching potential problems will save the homeowner money as well as catch any unexpected surprises. So grab a pencil and start checking off your list.
Exterior Inspection:
Driveway:
Check for cracks that might have formed over the winter
Foundation:
Is it cracked or crumbling?
Are there any water stains or signs of dampness?
Do you notice any moss or mildew growth?
Structure:
Is the siding splitting or otherwise coming loose?
Are there any bricks missing?
Does the porch or door sill appear straight?
Check decks and railings for any damaged wood.
Roof:
Do you see any missing shingles?
Are any of the edges of the shingles lifted?
Chimney:
Does the chimney look straight?
Can you see any large cracks or missing mortar between the bricks?
Do you see any missing bricks or stones?
Check any metal flashing near your chimney for corrosion?
Do you have a chimney screen on top to prevent birds and rodents from entering your home?
Gutters and Downspouts:
Are the gutters still in place and free from debris?
Are the downspouts properly placed so run-off is angled away from the house?
Windows & Doors (also part of your interior check):
Do they open smoothly with no binding? Sliding doors should open and close smoothly.
Is all the hardware in working order?
Is there any rotting or missing trim?
Is the weather stripping intact?
Check for missing or broken glass.
Are the screens free from tears?
Garage:
Check the concrete floor for any major cracks.
Does the garage door opener work and does the door open and close smoothly?
If the garage is attached does the door to the house close tightly and securely?
Interior Inspection
Basement:
Check for large cracks.
There should be no standing water, or water on walls, especially corners.
Check for sagging floor joists.
Check age of water heater; there should be no water around water heater.
Plumbing:
Check that all plumbing fixtures work (drains are clear, no dripping faucets, etc.)
Check the tile in showers for cracks and gaps.
Heating & Air Conditioning:
Check that the flues and vents are open.
The system should be clean and free of debris.
Turn thermostat to lowest setting and check cooling.
Check your furnace filter–if it’s dirty, either clean or replace it.
Turn on ceiling fans to make sure they don’t wobble. Make sure the fan blades are turning clockwise (as you look up at it), they turn the opposite way for winter.
Ventilation:
Check all vents to make sure there are no obstructions inside or outside (kitchen oven vent, bathroom vent and dryer vent)
Fireplace:
Make sure the damper and vents open freely.
Look for any obstructions in the flue.
Check for any cracks or loose bricks in fire box.
You may want the chimney cleaned by a professional.
Kitchen:
Check under the sink for any moisture.
Check that cupboard doors and drawer open and close smoothly
Once you have completed your checklist you can decide what projects you want to undertake and what projects you might need a professional to handle for you. For most of us, our home is the largest investment we will make. It is important to maintain that investment with good maintenance and smart choices.
By: Rachel Hauser