Big projects or small, home improvement is a challenging, costly, and time-consuming task. Whether you are hiring someone to help you out or doing it yourself, there are many things that have to be considered. Here are seven tips for every homeowner who has caught the home improvement bug.
Begin with a realistic plan
Perhaps you got excited after watching home improvement shows and suddenly want to change everything. Perhaps they made it look so simple on Youtube that you thought you can DIY anything. Whatever your inspiration for home improvement is, remember that making changes in the home can cost you a lot of time and money.
Always begin with a plan that is realistic to your budget and time. Sure, you can DIY a lot of things but do you have the time for it? You may want the same tiles featured in the magazines but is it within your budget?
Know what you want to do and what it costs to do it. Then, add a nice buffer of at least 15% of the expenses to make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew.
Add value to your home
Your home is your investment. When doing home improvement, make sure your changes and additions add value to your home.
Refinishing the hardwood floors to up the potential sale value or installing a signal booster such as a weBoost Home 4G to increase connectivity throughout the home are worthwhile expenses for the value that they add.
You can also develop your basement into another functional space. Be it an extra room or a home theater or even as something as simple as a basement toilet, renovating that area of the house will add value to your home. When planning changes and additions to your home, it is always good to consider whether it has a return on investment.
DIY
Do It Yourself home improvement projects can help you save a lot of money. However, you have to be aware of your own skills and limitations. Not every home improvement projects are suitable for DIY. If you are a beginner, don't tear the down walls right away. Start small and know when to ask for the help of a professional.
Work with the right contractor
Getting the right contractor is just as important as consulting with the right doctor. Get recommendations from supply houses, neighbors, friends, and online forums. Always ask for the licenses and permits that they need.
Check out the contractor's insurance and always contact references. There are so many home improvement contractor horror stories out there. Make sure that you work only with honest and reliable ones.
Consult an expert
Some home improvement projects just require expert help. This is especially true for big projects. For example, if you are planning to remove a load bearing wall to have that Pinterest-worthy open space patio, call an expert before doing anything.
You have to accept that no matter how successful your last DIY project was or how many hours you spent watching how-to videos, some projects are not suitable to do yourself. Check out the developers in Toronto to get some ideas.
Make small changes
Home improvement need not involve embarking on big, expensive projects. Sometimes, doing something simple like changing up your curtains or installing an upgraded home security device can do the trick.
Personalize
Adding a personal touch to your home is the best way to improve its style and overall feel. Adding a mini-gallery of your family's photos on your living room wall or adding a new look to your personal library can make the home feel cozier.
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