How should I spend my home-improvement budget? – It seems now days everyone has an interest in home improvement, just flip through cable TV channels and you will probably find a home improvement show to watch. It is not hard to understand why home owners are interested in home improvement, the right improvements can increase a homes value tremendously and give the home more enjoyability to the home owners. The question that always seems to pop up is “how do i spend my home improvement budget?”
The average American will move every 4-6 years so always take resale value and home appeal into account when planning any home improvement project. People all have varying tastes so avoid doing anything to extreme that may hurt resale value and is to difficult to undo, but it is your home so express yourself just keep it within reason.
No matter where you live a kitchen or bathroom remodel will add the most value and appeal to your home. These are expensive projects to undertake and many bathroom and kitchen remodels will cost over $10,000. Although small cosmetic improvements like faucet upgrades and new cabinet hardware can increase the appeal of a kitchen and bathroom for little money.
New flooring is also a nice home improvement that adds value, however new carpet will not add as much as value and appeal as adding hardwood floors will. Many of todays laminate hardwood floors can be installed DIY by the homeowner relatively easily. If you are unsure how to install hardwood flooring check with your local home improvement store, many offer classes on hardwood floor installation.
Not all home improvement projects have to be expensive or large to make a difference. Some smaller projects can include improving or adding landscaping, interior and exterior painting, resealing a driveway and upgrading lighting fixtures. These are small projects that can be done in a weekend or a few hours. These home improvements all will add curb appeal and increase the value of your home at the same time.
The things you will want to avoid are adding items that require maintenance and ongoing expense such as hot tubs, saunas and swimming pools. While one of these items may appeal to you they may not appeal to a large percentage of buyers and will not increase your homes value by much, in fact they may cause your home to sit on the market longer if you ever decide to sell A swimming pool is a good example of a negative home improvement , swimming pools require additional homeowners insurance due to liability for injury/death, they are expensive and complicated to maintain and can be dangerous to small children and some pets.
With the proper planning and research spending your home improvement budget correctly is an easy task to accomplish. By using the Internet, television shows and your local home improvement stores as references and you are almost guaranteed to choose the right improvement for your home.
By: Darin Sewell
Posts Tagged ‘Home Improvement Store’
How Should I Spend My Home Improvement Budget
January 10th, 2010Home Improvements Catalog Simplified
December 3rd, 2009
Want to spice up things in the kitchen, add a dash of verve to the bathroom or enliven the interiors of the bedroom? Whatever your requirements, a home improvements catalog is sure to fulfill them in style. With a dizzying array of unique and innovative products on display, every aspect of home improvement, ranging from repairs and maintenance to storage and cleaning, gets an earnest consideration.
With these catalogs, those recalcitrant problems in the house or yard are sure to become a thing of the past.
A Treasure-Trove Of Information
Just pick up any catalog from your local home improvement store or your news agent, and you will uncover a treasure-trove of priceless information as you flip through the pages. From revolutionary new products and supplies that make quick work of all those mundane repairs, to incredible hints and tricks that transform the look and feel of your home, you can be assured of a truly insightful experience.
They Pack In Quite A Punch
These catalogs are tailor-made for homeowners trying to make some headway in an ephemeral world of splendid ideas. But that’s not their only claim to fame. Here’s what impacts you the most:
There are no amorphous generalizations that these catalogs follow. In fact, they can fire the imagination of different people in different ways. It’s just not your house, but your garage and garden too can benefit from the deluge of materials and supplies that greet you from the pages. The projects are listed according to their magnitude. So while smaller projects make it to the front pages, the ones that call for a sizable effort get their pound of flesh in the latter sections. They also simplify complicated issues like contractor’s fees, licenses and their governing bodies.
By: Krishna Charanadasa
Savvy Home Improvement Expert Gets an A With Her Patio Fireplace Idea
November 5th, 2009
I’m going to walk you through one of the most interesting summer time ideas I’ve ever seen. A patio fireplace idea, but in the most savvy way.
My former secretary who has moved on to own her own home improvement business often calls me for specific projects. We work together from time to time and we have a blast. But this one, she had to tell me about because she did it all her own.
Items You Will Need
A Patio Bricks One Ventless Fireplace Insert
Of course, with the bricks you’ll need mortar. But, that’s really all there is to this list. Now, put on your business suit and get ready to do some negotiation.
First, The Patio
It’s quite obvious that the first thing you need is a patio. It’s a patio project. But, you can actually start a patio with this idea. If you have flat yard extending from the back door or if you can make it flat with no great amount of effort, all you need are a few extra bricks when you are ready to get them.
Placing the bricks in any arrangement is actually fine. But, I prefer an angled approach because it’s easier to square. You simple cut corners out of your bricks and place them in the jagged edges of your patio perimeter. If you can’t cut the bricks, don’t worry. The jagged edges will look natural.
Second, The Bricks
This is the part I love best because anyone can simply go to a lumber yard or a home improvement store and buy bricks. But, it takes a savvy business person to get paid to haul bricks away.
I have been in construction for years. And I have always offered my services to clients that I will haul their excess bricks away. I’ve only had to deal with a few clients who wanted them sent back and a discount on the service. Most homeowners are happy with my work, have already written the check and are more than happy to let me haul their bricks out of sight out of mind.
But, my former secretary tried a new thing this last time. She drove through a home development community where there are houses in all different stages of completion. She found homes where the brick was finished and stacks of bricks sat in the driveway. Instead of offering to haul the bricks away for free, she contacted the homeowners and told them she would give them a great deal on their hauling expenses. When the homeowners agreed, she told me she couldn’t believe it. Not only was she getting what she needed for free, but she was getting paid to take it. Now, I couldn’t do that. But, hats off to her for having the gumption to attempt such a thing.
Finally, The Ventless Gel Fireplace Insert
Just off the patio, you want to build yourself a brick casing. Build a solid foundation that is about three feet high. Then build four columns that rise about another four feet. Then, build a nice roof on your patio fireplace. If you pay attention to what you are doing, you can do this by yourself.
Use string to keep your bricks in line. Use your trowels to scrape excessive mortar off the bricks after you stack them. If you take your time, you can look like a professional.
In the opening that you’ve created with your four columns is where you will put your ventless gel fireplace insert. Of course, you can stack real wood in the fireplace and light it. But, you’ll have fire control to deal with and it’s a heck of a mess when you are finished. Light some Sunjel gel fuel and place it in the insert for just as much fire and heat.
A patio fireplace for less then $300? No, wait a minute. For free. Because with the money she was paid to haul the bricks away, my former secretary was able to purchase a ventless gel fireplace insert no problem at all. Now, that’s a home improvement project with the maximum business savvy.
By: Jessica Brylan