So, you decided that you want to do your own home improvement. That’s a very good thing to do. There is a lot of technique involved to improve upon your home, though. Do you know what you need to know to do it properly? If you don’t, you should look at these tips.
When planning a home renovation with your contractor, be honest about your budget. While many homeowners fear that they will get ripped off by a contractor if it is known how much money they have to spend, the reality is that being honest will get you better results. The contractor is free to budget for better work and higher-quality materials if they know your true cost ceiling.
Insulate exposed pipes in your home. If uninsulated, pipes can freeze during the winter. This can cause a great deal of stress and headache since you won’t be able to access running water. The pipes could possibly burst. Exposed pipes may be located where you are unlikely to see them, such as, in the attic or the basement.
Avoid hiring an architect for minor home improvements and small renovations. Check your local building codes; in most areas architects are unnecessary for jobs below a certain size. Working with a competent contractor on these small-scale projects makes an architect unnecessary. When an architect is unnecessary and not required by local ordinances, save yourself some money by working without one.
Focus on interior lighting for your next home improvement project. If you change out your old light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights, you will save energy and money. These bulbs also last longer than traditional lighting choices. This is a very simple project that will have remarkable results on the amount of money you save in energy bills.
Provide all the contractors placing a bid on your home improvement project with exactly the same information, if possible so they’re bidding on the same project. Include what types of product you want used (hardwood vs laminate, etc.), sketches, magazine photo cut-outs, plans, and written notes. Make sure to specify any items you’d like to be done custom like cabinets.
When selecting a contractor for a home renovation, don’t be tempted to simply take the lowest estimate. There is no guarantee that it will be cheaper to use a lower-cost contractor and simply fix any poor work later. Lower prices usually mean that the quality of the work and the materials is also lower.
When thinking about doing a home improvement project, consider upgrading your appliances. Get rid of your old appliances. Nothing looks worse than having dated appliances in a home that also cost a considerable amount of money because they are not energy efficient. Sleek new appliances add value to the home and will help save energy too.
In conclusion, you wanted to do your own home improvement, but didn’t know much about it going in. You show now have more of an idea of what it takes to do it properly, which is great. If you have any more inquiries as to what to do, make sure that you re-read these tips to help the fundamentals sink in.