Making home improvements is a necessity for all homeowners. Even if it’s purely a cosmetic home improvement project meant to update your property, making sure the ABCs of a successful home improvement are under control. Here's how.
The ABCs Of Successful Home Improvements
Aesthetic
There are many reasons for undertaking a home improvement project, with some projects being outright expensive, others...not so much. Regardless, it's imperative that you use the proper tools and materials necessary to complete the job properly. Otherwise, a shoddy job can mean costly do-overs. Make sure you get the aesthetic right by using the best materials you can afford, especially if you are replacing your roof or gutter system, or installing new windows. Low cost (and ultimately low-end) materials won't last as nearly long as mid-range or more expensive alternatives when it comes to exterior repairs like these, so be sure to carefully consider all of your options when pricing out the job.
When looking into making interior renovations to your home, such as a room addition or kitchen renovation, ensuring that the floor plan looks spacious and airy should be top of the agenda (heck out the Freshome guide for help with achieving this). Meanwhile, every living space should reflect the unique charm and personality of your family, with a uniform flow from one room to the other. Otherwise, your aesthetic can all fall flat.
If your home's appearance looks better following a home renovation of any kind, the time and money you have spent will feel worthwhile. As long as you maintain the property’s improved appearance, the rewards you reap can last for many years to come.
Budget
Your budget is going to play an integral role in any home improvement project you undertake. Of all the questions you ask yourself, the first should be: is this project something I can do myself, or should I consider hiring a professional instead? One of the benefits of hiring a professional, aside from their knowledge & skill, is that many offer financing options, which can help manage your budget immensely.
If you hire your professional services wisely your budget (and stress levels) will thank you. For example, if you employ a handyman home repair service you are essentially using one service that can work on many jobs. You will have one point of contact who can attend to your plumbing, electrical, or general maintenance work. This alone is likely to reduce the overall cost as you will not be paying for each service individually. As such, the overall fee is likely to be reduced by comparison. What is more, this service will take the pressure off yourself to try a bit of DIY. Although it can be tempting to consider DIY to help keep your budget intact here are two great reasons why paying professionals will actually help lower your budget.
No matter which direction you take, be sure to watch your "just one more thing"s. While it may not sound like much while you're thinking about it, adding "just one more thing" to your project can increase your budget anywhere from 1% to 20%.
Your budget is going to play an integral role in any home improvement project you undertake. Of all the questions you ask yourself, the first should be: is this project something I can do myself, or should I consider hiring a professional instead? One of the benefits of hiring a professional, aside from their knowledge & skill, is that many offer financing options, which can help manage your budget immensely.
If you hire your professional services wisely your budget (and stress levels) will thank you. For example, if you employ a handyman home repair service you are essentially using one service that can work on many jobs. You will have one point of contact who can attend to your plumbing, electrical, or general maintenance work. This alone is likely to reduce the overall cost as you will not be paying for each service individually. As such, the overall fee is likely to be reduced by comparison. What is more, this service will take the pressure off yourself to try a bit of DIY. Although it can be tempting to consider DIY to help keep your budget intact here are two great reasons why paying professionals will actually help lower your budget.
- Professionals have the tools and equipment they need. You will be surprised at just how many different tools you might need when completing tasks around the home and buying these tools can be a very costly affair. Save yourself the expense and let your handyman bring his own tools.
- Professionals have the skills and knowledge. While you may too, would you know what to do if something unexpected happens? Or what to do when things go wrong? Yes, you may be able to follow YouTube tutorials but this takes up valuable time, time that could be better spent elsewhere. What is more, should anything go wrong on your watch you will be liable for the cost of fixing it, potentially turning to professionals in any event. Save yourself time, money, and stress by deferring to the experts in the first instance.
No matter which direction you take, be sure to watch your "just one more thing"s. While it may not sound like much while you're thinking about it, adding "just one more thing" to your project can increase your budget anywhere from 1% to 20%.
Consistency
When working with home remodelers or home improvement companies specifically, you need a level of consistency throughout your entire project. This means that all the people you meet with--from the salesperson to the foreman to the tradesmen--all need to be knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Take for example a kitchen or bathroom model which may include subcontractors such as electricians and plumbers. A reputable plumber like Roto Rooter specialists can relocate plumbing, install fixtures and new appliances. Just like the remodeling company you hired, you should feel comfortable and confident in their skills and abilities. This is why consistency is key.
An eye-catching, well-built home improvement project that comes in under budget is what any homeowner strives for. Follow the ABCs of success when completing future upgrades too, and your home will look and feel better than ever in no time!
Need help deciding where and how to spend your home remodeling dollars? Take a look at this infographic from schoolsfirstfcu.org on advice for making smart home improvements:
Need help deciding where and how to spend your home remodeling dollars? Take a look at this infographic from schoolsfirstfcu.org on advice for making smart home improvements:
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