Home Improvement Solution

Posts Tagged ‘Projects’

Whether you’ve just purchased a new home or are looking to upgrade your long-time family home, home improvements and renovations can be daunting. Because any remodeling project takes up so much time and money, it’s important to have a clear plan before you start.

Keep reading for great ideas on simple-to-major home renovations. First up are the simple fix-its. These are easy solutions with a big “wow” factor that can be done in under a week, but can go a long way toward improving your home.

1. Tile and Bathtub Resurfacing

Getting your bathroom tiles and showers resurfaced or redone can make a huge difference and really update your bathroom, giving it a contemporary and modern look.

2. Upgrade Your Fixtures

Upgrading your sink faucets, light fixtures, door knobs and cabinet handles is a quick and easy way to spruce up a home. Start this simple home improvement project by taking down those decades-old frosted glass light fixtures and throwing up some hip and modern spotlights. Next, update your shower heads and sink faucets to make the bathroom shine.

Upgrading fixtures is also a great way to add value to a home that you’re planning to sell. Not only do they modernize the look of a house, but they also give buyers a sense of value.

3. Paint

Painting can be done in a day. It may not be fun – although some people enjoy it – but this quick and easy fix will brighten a room right away, taking it from dull and lackluster to shiny and new. For a professional looking finish, be sure to spackle over and sand any holes in the walls.

4. New Carpet

Sometimes replacing that dingy, old carpet can be all you need to make a house feel new again. For a clean and modern finish, try wood laminate or hardwood floors.

Next are two major home improvement ideas that will take a few weeks to a few months for completion. These are significant undertakings that you’ll want to seriously plan and budget for, but can have a major impact on the value and appeal of your home.

However, before you begin a larger home improvement project, especially one that’s going to be done in stages, verify that all your pieces fit together. If you’re updating the kitchen in a modern and contemporary style, for example, check whether it will fit with your country barn plans for the living room.

If you’re stuck for ideas, one option is to hire an interior designer for a consulting session and ask that individual to come in for an hour or two to provide ideas about the best way to use your space. Interior designers are not normally cheap, but in the end their expertise is well worth the cost.

1. Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Give your home a complete energy overhaul by upgrading the windows, redoing the insulation (especially in the attic), revamping your venting and heating systems, installing water recycling systems and putting solar panels on your roof. Though these home upgrades can cost a lot up front, they’ll save you tens of thousands in the long run.

2. Adding Space

Any time you build an addition to your house, you’re taking on a major project. You’ll need an architect, a qualified contractor and all the licenses and permits that your city requires. Take special care if you’re adding an extra story, as most counties allow a certain time period for neighbor complaints.

Homes need updating. Aside from the cosmetics of tiles and paint colors, there are the basic, but necessary renovations that need to be taken care of as well.

Young home buyers frequently enter into a mortgage commitment scraping together all they have to offer a decent down payment and having calculated what they need to be able to afford the monthly payments. What they may not take into as serious account are the monthly utility bills and the eventual (inevitable) costs of house and property upkeep.

Those requirements may be acknowledged as necessary somewhere down the road, but since they are not immanent, the couple may simply assume they will come up with the money from somewhere when the needs are more pressing.

However, from re-shingling a roof to weather-proofing your windows, major home improvement projects are a part of home ownership. Unfortunately, they’re also costly and there isn’t always room in the family budget for a full overhaul of the heating and ventilation system. That’s where home improvement financing comes in.

For those who don’t have much extra money saved, home improvement financing allows homeowners to borrow what they need for renovations. Sometimes the house itself is used as equity and in other situations, little to no equity is required. Keep reading to learn about the different types of home improvement project financing.

Home Equity Loan

The terms for any loan, including a home improvement or renovation financing loan, will vary depending on the borrower. If you have good credit, your mortgage is paid off and you’re willing to put your house forward as equity, then you can expect to get great rates payable over a period of months or years.

You could even opt for a second mortgage, which will get you rates close to prime. However, while a home equity loan obtains for you a lump sum up front, remember that you’ll start paying interest on that entire sum right away.

Line of Credit

One of the easiest ways to borrow money is through a home equity line of credit. A line of credit allows you to only borrow as you need, therefore only paying interest on what you use. The rates, if your credit is good, are great and they’re often approved fairly quickly and painlessly.

Remodeling or Home Improvement Loan

Many banks offer remodeling or renovation-specific loan programs. These work by combining a construction loan with a mortgage and are based on the projected value of the home after you complete your project.

You will most likely have to submit a building plan as well as a breakdown of all your project expenses. The bank then usually releases the money in increments, as the project progresses.

Credit Cards

If your credit isn’t as good or you’re still building it, you may opt for a small amount of financing that will let you complete the project without being overwhelmed by debt. An example of this might even be store credit from a local store – just enough to purchase a new furnace or the materials you need to retile your floors.

It’s expensive to make home improvement. And many homeowners incur a lot of debt by the project’s completion. There is nothing wrong with improving your living space or modernizing the home. With good planning and an honest assessment of your skills – and amount of free time – you can probably save some money on your next big project. However, it is best to keep costs low. It’s a good way to do some home improvement all by yourself. Most people can handle light demolition, painting, landscaping and garbage removal themselves if they have time. You could save lot of money from DIY too. It’s funny and creative if you want to make a thing all by yourself.

Here are a few practical ways to reduce the costs of a home improvement. You could save lot of money from these materials.

First, you should strictly limit the amount of the home improvement. Some homeowners make plans to renovate their entire home. Obviously, it’s not a reasonable way to make your home improvement. Unfortunately, budget limits can interfere with the project. It’s not necessary for the homeowner to renew everything in the house. Do you really need a complete bath makeover? Often times, a fresh coat of paint and new decor make a huge difference. You should learn the trick to fulfill the need while at the lowest cost. You could consider less expensive alternatives when designing an addition.

As the old saying goes, think before you leap. You should plan everything so you don’t need to make changes once the contractor is working. Changes often entail additional charges. But you should always remember one thing. You should stick to your plan so that it will work smoothly.

During your home improvement period, it’s time to use your human resource. You’d better get several prices for the work from recommended contractors. Price quotes vary enormously due to such factors as the contractor’s schedule, the time of year and the distance from the job. Try to schedule your project for an ‘off’ time of year. For example, install central air conditioning in winter, not in June. You’d better make the best choice for your home improvement. It could save you lot of money if your schedule is proper.

From another aspect, contract is a good way to save money. Make sure that your initial contract for the work is comprehensive and that the initial price covers all work to be done. Always attempt to minimize the amount you’re required to pay ahead of work being completed. You probably won’t be able to negotiate a contract without a deposit. Plan to pay up to 10 percent. It’s a good strategy to ensure the contract will be fulfilled in time.