|
News & Info
|
 |
 |
Seller Signup...
Quality Service, Seller or Tradesperson? Sign Up Now!
|
|
Home & Garden Articles
Home Improvement Words of Wisdom
Thu 18 Sep 2008 - 14:33
Home Improvement Words of Wisdom
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Travis_Guilbeau]Travis Guilbeau
In the modern real estate market, home improvements are a sound way to bolster the value of a house and set your house apart from that of your neighbors. Even for those staying put for the foreseeable future, there are numerous reasons why a renovation would be a welcomed improvement. Perhaps you have finally packed the last of the kids off to college, maybe the thought of new cedar accent siding has you salivating, or bringing cheerful natural light into your house with bay, bow, and picture windows is enough of a motivation to justify the expenses.
Despite how easy they appear from the start, home improvements are an undertaking that can cause some serious strife, disrupting the normal flow around your home. The desire for new siding can disrupt the overall look and feel of your home while the works' being done, while that new window installation has you freezing or roasting thanks to openings in your home, and that's not even taking into account the actual investment of time, money, and energy when choosing the "do it yourself" route. To help with streamlining the entire process, here are few words of wisdom.
10. Are you doing a simple home improvement or overhauling an entire room? Know exactly what you wish to accomplish before you start. Thinking the project through from start to finish beforehand can help to remove issues while they are still small.
9. Take explicit measurements and create drawings as close to scale as possible. Using tape or string to mark the areas where new items will be can help show just how new additions like vinyl replacement windows will fit into your current space.
8. Make sure you know the rules. Building permits, codes, and home owners associations can be quickly put the brakes onto your dreams of a new shed, home gym, or replacement vinyl siding.
7. Budget carefully. Make sure you plan for quality materials, the occasional mistake, and most importantly, your time. And then over budget a little. It's best to have money left over than to leave a project unfinished due to budget constraints.
6. If a warranty is available, get it.
5. Be flexible, but not too flexible. Even the best laid plans require slight changes along the way. However, making major changes can compound the time, effort, and expenses of your project.
4. Even the most capable with a saw and hammer are going to need a contractor now and again. When getting one, the internet is your friend. Use Google and Angie's List to your advantage. Remember the relationship between yourself and your contractor needs to be a good one.
3. Don't overestimate your own skill. It's fun to try something new, but lack of experience can lead to a major ache in your wallet. Remember, just because the project was completed in 30 minutes on television does not mean you can do it in an hour.
2. Keep your expectations realistic. Money poured in isn't going to directly equate to value for potential buyers. Some home improvements are better classified as maintenance work.
1. And as always, measure twice, cut once.
If these words of Do-It-Yourself wisdom have you questioning your own sanity, you're not alone. Many people start out wanting to do their own home improvements, but end up going to a professional contractor instead. Whether you're looking for Glen Burnie, MD Home Improvement or San Francisco, CA Home Improvement, never be discouraged from improving your home just because you've realized you can't do it yourself. Hiring a contractor is always better than leaving the job undone or not starting it at all.
HomeFix Corporation is a leading provider of [http://www.homefixcorporation.com/siding.php]Glen Burnie, MD Vinyl Siding, and Fairfax, VA Home Improvement. For more than 10 years they have been offering top quality service and products to their customers that are ready to improve their homes, but aren't sure they can do it on their own. They can be found online at: http://www.homefixcorporation.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Guilbeau http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Improvement-Words-of-Wisdom&id=1497703
Looking for information on General Home Improvement, Find a supplier at HomeWise.ie
back to General Home Improvement articles
back to all home & garden articles
|
|