Tag: house improvement

5 home improvement projects to start in the new year

5 home improvement projects to start in the new yearcredit

If you’ve been researching ways to add value to your home, or you simply need to alter your house to align with your current needs, you may have settled on an idea that you would love to implement.

Home improvement projects can be carried out for a myriad of different motivations and they are an exciting way to spend money for all of the right reasons. There are DIY jobs that you can do yourself or call in the professionals such as Handyman Wichita KS. Below are five home improvement projects for you to start in 2022:

Skylight in a loft room

1. Install a skylight

Skylights are an effective way to bring daylight into your home. By increasing the number of natural light sources in your home, you can change how your home functions and feels.

Skylights are not just an aesthetic feature; the addition of one in the right place can provide added benefits too. By installing a new natural light source, you can save money and energy by reducing your reliance on artificial lighting. On average in the U.S. skylight replacement cost is between $300 and $1,200 for professional installation without taking materials into account.  

 

Home office

2. Redesign your home office

The COVID-19 pandemic created a shift to home office working and remote learning which motivated many to find a suitable place to use at home to do that. As people struggled to make sense of what was happening in the world around them, they made temporary solutions at short notice to help them survive and thrive.

This year you have the power to change all that by creating a sustainable home office solution that meets your professional needs and reflects your personal style.

Al fresco kitchen

3. Add an outdoor kitchen

Adding an outdoor kitchen will give you an entirely new place to hang out in the fresh air. This isn’t only pandemic safe, it will also add value to your home.

If you’re in the market for a new house and you’re looking for homes for sale in Toronto, make sure that you find one with the right bones to handle this type of gorgeous renovation. Outdoor kitchens are places in your garden or yard where you can cook, eat and entertain al fresco.

She shed with woman standing outside

4. Build a she shed

Traditionally, a she shed is a converted outdoor shed created for the ‘lady of the house’ to create, entertain or just rest & relax. A she shed can be any structure that is dedicated for her to do her own thing.

She sheds can be bought in kit form and typically cost around fifteen thousand dollars to build and install. That budget will buy you a ten-foot space to use as you see fit. You can also buy a blank shell, like a pre-built shed, for less than half of that price.

Garden entertainment area

5. Expand your entertainment area

The entertainment area is often everyone’s favourite place to gather. Outdoor entertainment areas function like indoor spaces, and the better they function – the more value they’ll add to your overall property value.

By expanding your outdoor entertainment area, you can be part of the growing global trend of spending more time outdoors with your neighbours, friends and family members.

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A guide to improving your home’s kerb appeal

A guide to improving your home’s kerb appeal

Home improvements are a great idea if you are a home-owner as they can make living in the property much more enjoyable, plus they can also add a great deal of value to your home which is ideal if you are considering a sale down the line. Additionally, it can be exciting and rewarding to see the project coming together although there may be a few disruptions while work is carried out. There are also endless possibilities when it comes to home improvements and what will be right for you will depend on the type of home you have, your circumstances and the amount of money that you have to spend.

Equity release

Financing the work

First, you need to decide how much money you want to spend and how you will fund the work. If you do not have savings to dip into, many home-owners over the age of 55 are finding that an equity release is a good option. If you’re unfamiliar with what is involved, you can easily learn more about equity release with Sunlife. If you’re wondering where can money released from your home take you, you could improve anything from new carpets and flooring to building a conservatory or redecorating your whole house.

Architect drawing house plans

Improvements to consider

Now that you know how much you have to work with you can decide on a project. Here are a few good options to consider:

Extension: An extension will give you a lot more room to work within your house and is a good idea for growing families or those that feel constricted by the amount of space that they currently have.

Conservatory: Conservatories are a great way to add a bright and airy space which are perfect for warm summer days. They can be used in many different ways too whether you want a lounge-type area of somewhere filled with plants.

Kitchen remodelling: The kitchen is the heart of the home and somewhere that you should be able to comfortably cook in. Remodelling the kitchen can transform the home, particularly if you have added space where people can socialise. It is also a superb way to increase the value of your home and attract buyers.

Rendering the external façade: First impressions count and opinions about a house are made before someone even steps inside. Adding a fresh stucco to the front elevation can transform the look of a building stuccorepairtucson.com is a specialist in this area.

Garden: There is nothing better than spending time in the backyard during the warmer months of the year. Making improvements like decking, water features, and a shed can be affordable and add value to the property.

Builder with a spirit level

Hiring the right people

Now you will want to find the right people for the job, and this is an area that many people worry about as you hear many horror stories. Going on word of mouth is a good idea but always research companies and look for good reviews and previous projects that you like the look of.

Home improvements can transform the property and make it somewhere that is much more practical and enjoyable to live, as well as add-on value to the home. It can also be daunting, but the above information should help any home-owner to get the project completed with relative ease.

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Improving your home: When to hire and when to DIY

Improving your home: When to hire and when to DIY

It’s no secret that a lot of money can be made from buying a property that is in need of some work and doing it up yourself. However, depending on the amount of work necessary, this can soon become a costly affair.

Therefore, when you embark on a house-remodelling project, and you’re looking to set a budget, you should consider just how much of it you can do yourself. After all, if you save some money on stripping your own wallpaper, you may be able to afford that beautiful ceramic sink you’ve had your eye on for the kitchen.

The main three questions to consider when deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional are: do you realistically have the time to complete this project? Do you realistically have the skills to complete this project? Could it be dangerous to yourself or damaging to the property if you attempt to complete this project on your own?

Below is a list of some of the most common tasks associated with doing up a house, as well as some recommendations on what you should DIY and for what jobs you should hire professionals.

Opening cans of paint

DIY: painting

Although it can seem daunting, learning to paint a room isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Have a look at tutorials online and perhaps find a more experienced friend or family member to assist you.

Wooden shelves against a grey wall

DIY or HIRE: cabinets and shelves

It may take some practice, but hanging cabinets or shelves isn’t too difficult once you’ve got the hang of it. Again, there’s a wealth of tutorials online on this subject for you to watch and learn.

Repairing a thatched roof

HIRE: roofing

As a rule of thumb, anything that may damage the structure or integrity of your home should be done by a professional. If you need your roof fixed, for peace of mind hire a professional roofing company that has a number of good reviews.

Laying laminate flooring

DIY or HIRE: flooring

When it comes to flooring, you can either DIY or hire, depending on what kind of work you are looking to have done. For example, laminated flooring is much easier to install than hardwood flooring.

Installing plumbing in a house

HIRE: wiring and plumbing

Although most people are capable of doing minor electricity jobs such as changing a plug themselves, all the major wiring should be done by a professional. Getting wiring wrong can cause a lot of damage – not only to yourself but your property. Similarly, plumbing mistakes when carrying out jobs such as changing suites or installing pipe lagging can seriously damage your property, and the property value along with it, so make sure you hire a trusted professional for all your plumbing needs!

Small jar of chalk paint

DIY: furniture

This doesn’t refer to flat-pack or self-assemble furniture, but rather to a project where you buy a cheap piece of furniture and do it up to your liking. Most people have seen IKEA furniture hacks, and while they may look easy online, it can be difficult getting the desired result. Nevertheless, failed furniture DIY projects would never damage your home and seeing as IKEA furniture is very budget-friendly, you can easily try out your DIY skills without breaking the bank.

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