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10 Home Improvement Tips for Any Homeowner
Homeowners carry a lot of responsibility when it comes to their houses. Basic responsibilities include home improvement and ongoing maintenance. Home improvement and maintenance tasks ensure that your home stands the test of time and the elements. Homeowners also need to find ways to increase the property’s resale value in case they choose to sell their home later.
These home improvement tips can help you focus your efforts to make your residence better than before. You may not have the tools, know-how or free time to take care of all the home improvements you'd like done around your residential property, and that's okay—just rely on your local handyman experts at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County. Let’s get started!
1. Always Plan Everything Out
When conducting your home upgrade projects, remember to plan everything out. This planning will inform you on how to tackle the various sections of your residence in a smart and strategic way. This will also help plan your expenses and overall budget.
To start, assess your property. Check the floor plans and other structural details to help you gauge areas that need fixing. Take note of the various measurements and specifications applicable to the sections you aim to improve. Digital tools can be a great help here. Find some helpful resources online or try to get your hands on a program like AutoCAD to help with design and drafting concepts. Plotting and visualizing your home improvement projects can really get things going.
2. Think About Areas That Provide the Most Value
In all likelihood, there are multiple parts of your property that could stand to be improved, so many homeowners aren't sure where to start. Consider that some projects should be done in a certain order, or some rooms should be addressed all at once—for example, there's no point in having a new tile floor and backsplash installed and then deciding on new cabinets and countertops as well, only to have the new tile damaged by the cabinet installation.
Some projects are more pressing than others because they present a safety risk or are causing serious energy loss that is increasing the energy costs on your utility bill. That's why it makes more sense to have a rotting deck or a damaged exterior door replaced before you worry about a project that is more cosmetic, like a new flooring installation.
If you're planning on selling your home and looking for ways to increase sale value first, one of our key home improvement tips is that you need to think about areas for improvement that will provide the most value for your property. Every section of the house is worthy of a remodeling project. Yet, there are specific sections that can really enhance your home’s value. Perhaps a new kitchen or bathroom remodeling project will give you the boost you're looking for.
A nice-looking backsplash can give your kitchen some real elegance. Consider that your patio or deck has the potential to host impressive gatherings with friends and family. Or, perhaps it’s time to upgrade the tiling in your master bathroom. You decide. Just consider the future and what can help increase your property value for potential buyers.
3. Consider the Mobility and Accessibility Needs of Your Household
If you or a loved one are dealing with some challenges related to loss of mobility, factoring those needs into your plan is one of our big home improvement tips. Everyone likes to be able to enjoy their own home independently, and it can be a lot easier and safer to do so with a few modifications. For example, simply having your handyman get rid of the carpet in favor of new, hard-surface floors can drastically reduce the risk of tripping for someone who isn't able to lift their feet off the floor while moving around.
The bathroom also presents quite a few opportunities for accessibility improvements. That could include a shower remodel to add a shower seat and grab bars so it's easier and safer to steady oneself and avoid falls. Grab bars should be installed in other parts of the room as well, such as next to and across from the toilet.
4. Have a Budget Ready for Your Project
After you have your project plans noted and plotted, you need to check on your budget. The whole venture can be costly, but it doesn't mean you should settle for something subpar. In situations like this, make sure to spend on materials with quality in mind. Do not settle for cheap when it comes to improving your living space.
When plotting out your budget and project cost, go for reliable products and materials. Also, as part of your budgeting, take note of where you get your resources from. Because of how costly they can be, you need to consider where to get the best combination of quality and price.
Take note of your available sources of income, this can help you plan out what your purchase threshold is. With that in mind, you’ll be in a better position to determine your needs vs. wants, as well as what you shouldn’t spend your budget on.
5. Pay Attention to the Seasons
As you look around your property, consider what needs to be fixed to comfortably usher in the changing seasons. Are you ready for more rain in the spring? Are there any cracks or leaks you still need to fix? A big home improvement tip worth noting is that you can save money by focusing on projects that increase the energy efficiency of your home and lower your bills from utility companies.
Perhaps it’s time to finally improve that one room that gets really hot during the summer, and you want to know how to make a room cooler, or there's a deteriorated window frame that is letting in cold drafts in the winter because it has suffered water damage. Whatever the case, consider the upcoming seasons and what home improvement projects need your attention.
6. Know That DIY Has Limits
Homeowners can indeed improve their own space. With the right tools and skills, the DIY approach can tackle several tasks around the home. Yet, DIY won’t cover all of your home improvement projects. You’ll need help with some projects, especially if you are a beginner, to prevent injury and further damage to your property.
Start by thinking about projects that you know your skill level can handle. For beginners, the best way to approach this is to start small. For massive or complicated projects, you will need the help of a professional. Confidently take on what suits your skill level and available resources. Yet, know your limits and when it’s best to seek out a professional McKinney handyman expert who has the training and tools to get the job done right the first time.
7. Draw Inspiration as Much as Possible
Consider browsing through some inspiring photos to help guide your house upgrade ideas. Find some home improvement tips online to get your improvement and creativity juices flowing. You can look at some design blogs and pictures for ideas. Other sources of inspiration would include books and magazines on interior design. You have a lot of material to play around with to get the ideas you need.
While looking around for inspiration, take the opportunity to branch out and perfect your grasp of home improvement principles and methods. Maybe a few YouTube videos or a house upgrade and repair manual will do the trick. If you’re really serious, you could also find some online workshops. This added knowledge will surely enrich your property improvement game. Even if you're planning on hiring a professional to take care of your home improvement project, having some basic knowledge about the process will benefit you throughout the project.
8. Get the Right Tools for the Job
You need the right tools to help you with your projects. These tools include a wide selection of wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. Your essential toolbox will also need a tape measure, a claw hammer, and a utility knife. You also need power tools such as a power drill, which will help you complete various tasks with little effort, such as punching holes or driving nails.
These are just the basics. Specific jobs will require specific tools. With the right selection of tools, you can do basic home maintenance and repair along with improvement projects that suit your skill level. So, if you happen to be a beginner, you can use the correct tools for starter projects. Don't have the right tools? If you have to buy or rent new equipment, it may actually be more cost-effective to hire an experienced handyman.
9. Focus on the Current Task at Hand
Once you set out on a project, you have to focus. This is a priority, especially when working on DIY projects for your house. If you're dealing with wood rot treatment on your fence, prioritize that before moving on. Don't interrupt your schedule by simultaneously dealing with roof or tile repair jobs. One step at a time! Remember to prioritize whether you’re applying a fresh coat of paint to your drywall or installing a new door. With perseverance and determination, you can take on the small tasks first and move on from there. This strategy can help you complete your home improvement project in significant stages.
10. Choose the Right Handyman
Larger home improvement projects require capable and reputable contractors from a professional company such as Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County. Exercise due vigilance in choosing a handyman or contractor for the job. It's important to get reliable home improvement work to avoid further complications.
To avoid getting scammed, find the right contractor by:
- Asking friends about their experiences with any specific contractors
- Reading online reviews
- Confirming the contractor has applicable permits and insurance
- Meeting up with a potential contractor in person
- Requesting a quote for services
- Asking for references and if the employees are background checked and drug tested
Make sure you're hiring a local handyman from Texas. A quick "how to improve my home" or "handymen near me" with your town name added to the keywords will do the trick. "Handyman near me in McKinney, TX" will get you specific results.
With these details, you can see how credible the handyman service is. Once you have the right people for your project, you can expect skilled hands to add value to your property. When you have trustworthy handymen, you can be sure that your home improvement projects will succeed.
Our Number One Home Improvement Tip: Aim for the Best
Home improvement is a dedicated process that needs a good deal of creativity and experience. You have to carefully consider which projects to take on in order to increase your home’s value or improve comfort, livability and appeal.
To ensure you get the best for your home, you need the skills of a capable handyman. For this, you can contact the staff at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County. You can get started today and request a service; a team member will contact you to discuss your handyman needs.
