Many homeowners dream of a major home remodel, but the cost of a full renovation can be prohibitive. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to improve the look and feel of your home without going into debt or ransacking your savings. In fact, a little sweat equity and some do-it-yourself skills can add real value to your home. From re-grouting tile to swapping out hardware, here are some easy home renovation projects that will pay off in the long run.
Adding extra storage is a top priority for most homeowners. Fortunately, a simple shelving unit is an affordable and easy way to create more space in your kitchen. This DIY project can also make your kitchen more functional by allowing you to store pots and pans within reach, where they are most needed.
Repainting your walls is one of the most basic but enduring ways to change your home’s style. In addition to reviving dated wood trim and popcorn ceilings, it’s also a great way to introduce bold colors that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.
If you’re looking for a quick and affordable project that will give your home a high-end look, try updating your builder-grade bathroom mirror with a framed frame or transforming a dated wooden headboard into a luxurious tufted masterpiece. Changing your lighting fixture is another low-cost upgrade that can have a big impact. Whether you opt for a bright red dining room or a cool neutral, this simple tweak will instantly transform your space.
Home improvement projects can increase the value of your home and make it more comfortable. In addition to adding curb appeal, some renovations can also improve energy efficiency. However, it’s important to find a qualified contractor for any project to ensure that it is completed correctly and safely.
There are many different types of home improvement projects, and each contractor specializes in certain areas of the home. For example, a plumbing company could install a water filtration system while a flooring company would specialize in installing new hardwood floors or tile.
The best home improvement companies are licensed and insured, and they offer a variety of services for all kinds of renovations. Many of these companies have a customer service team that helps homeowners plan their project and select materials for it. Some contractors even provide free estimates for a project.
During the consultation process, many contractors ask about the homeowner’s budget to determine if they can work together. Some companies will schedule a phone consultation and a meeting in-person with the homeowners to help them with the project. This way, the contractor can answer any questions that the homeowners might have and get started on the project immediately.
Belfor Property Restoration is one of the best home improvement companies, and they specialize in restoring homes damaged by fire, flood, mold, or natural disasters. The company’s contractors can help homeowners navigate the insurance claims process, and they also have experience working on historic renovations and reconstructions.
The Lee’s Home Improvement team helps customers find the products they need to transform their living space. They specialize in customizing projects to fit within or under budget and completing them on time and on schedule.
They work with each customer to understand their lifestyle, preferences and goals to provide an exceptional remodeling experience. They are committed to providing quality craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout each project. The company prides themselves on creating unique masterpieces that are both functionally beautiful and artistically superior.
A Detroit, Michigan native Chris Lee has spent his life surrounded by construction. He gained a keen understanding of luxury residential building techniques while working at Hearst San Simeon State Park and developed a passion for vernacular architecture while living in Mississippi, New Orleans, and Savannah. He currently lives in Greensburg, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
He is a professional home expert and writer with decades of experience untangling difficult home topics for his readers. He has a strong DIY ethic and takes great pride in the work he does. When he is not wielding a drill or hammer, Chris enjoys spending his free time with his family.
Founded in 1975, Lee Construction is a family owned and operated construction and remodeling business focused in Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas. Through personal touch and attention to the smallest creative details, founder Doug Lee and his sons Scott and Spencer are able to build custom homes and remodels with structural integrity and beauty beyond the imagination.
While many people focus on the interior of their home when making renovations, curb appeal is just as important in creating a welcoming space. The exterior is often the first impression that potential buyers have of a house, and it can make or break whether they decide to take a closer look. The good news is that there are a number of affordable and easy ways to improve your home’s curb appeal and increase its value at the same time.
What Is Curb Appeal?
Curb appeal is the overall appearance of a property’s exterior, from the lawn and garden to the front door and windows. It is designed to give potential buyers (or anyone walking or driving past) a sneak peek at the quality of home they can expect to find inside.
The best way to achieve curb appeal is through a combination of home maintenance and small improvement projects. By keeping up with basic tasks such as mowing the lawn, weeding garden beds, and painting windows and hardware, you can ensure that your home looks sharp and well-maintained.
However, to really take your home’s aesthetic up a notch, consider adding bold colors and eye-catching design elements. This could include adding window shutters painted in patriotic red, a fresh coat of paint on the front door, or even a bright pop of color on the mailbox. These simple additions will help your home stand out amongst the crowd and make a lasting impression on potential buyers.
A home of improvement is one that’s being renovated, updated or improved. Home improvements can make a house more comfortable and functional for its current owners, or they can increase its value when it comes time to sell. The best home improvement projects are often those that are cost-effective and offer a high return on investment. These updates could include refreshing shower areas, replacing vanities and toilets or laying new tile in a kitchen or bathroom. If you’re planning to make major upgrades, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional, as they can help guide your choices and prevent costly mistakes.
It’s also important to consider how your home improvements will impact the overall look of the property. Adding a unique fixture that might appeal to you may not impress potential buyers. Avoid making changes that go too far with your personal taste, and try to keep the look consistent with the style of other homes in your area.
Some projects are more likely to add value than others, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or a smart thermostat, which can reduce utility bills and improve the home’s overall energy efficiency. Rearranging furniture or refinishing wood floors are also popular home improvements that don’t require a lot of money or extensive technical knowledge to complete.
When it’s time to sell, home improvements can improve your chances of getting the most out of your property, and help you find the right buyer. However, you should always be sure that the renovations you’re making are safe and up to code, and it’s also a good idea to update your home insurance as you renovate.
If you’re in the process of buying a home, you probably want to make it as beautiful and functional as possible. That’s why it’s important to know what upgrades will actually boost a home’s resale value, and what’s just a gimmick used by sellers.
When it comes to small home upgrades, there are a variety of easy projects you can do on your own without breaking the bank. Whether it’s giving your bathroom a fresh coat of paint, adding storage to a small space or converting an open stairway into a trellis for climbing vines, these simple home improvements can make a big impact on how your house looks and feels.
Upgrades that will improve a home’s resale price are those that appeal to the widest possible audience of potential buyers. For example, a backyard pool might seem luxurious to you, but it may not be a good idea for someone looking to raise a family or simply want a low-maintenance property.
In addition to considering the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, it’s also a good idea to check the neighborhood’s schools, especially if you plan on starting or expanding a family soon. Look at school ratings, test scores, teacher-to-student ratios and other factors to see how the local schools rank in your area. Also, take the commute time into account. If a long drive will be an inconvenience, it’s best to find a house located closer to work or public transportation options.
If you’ve ever watched HGTV or browsed YouTube, you may get the impression that DIY home renovations are incredibly fun and easy. But while some projects may be as simple as a weekend of pizza and beer, many require more thought, strategy, and hard work.
And that’s not to mention the risk factor. DIY mistakes can be disastrous, especially if you’re working with a crucial element like plumbing or electrical wiring. And even if you don’t mess up the new hardwood floors or re-wire the outdoor lights, you could wind up with a subpar finished product.
Fortunately, there are many easy diy home renovations that can give your house a fresh look and feel without the cost and hassle of a full-scale remodel. And while some of these projects require a bit more time and energy than others, the results are sure to be worth it. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or just want to make it more enjoyable for yourself and your family, these affordable mini updates are sure to make your space feel new again.
If you are a senior citizen and need home improvement assistance, there are programs available that can help. The first place to look is your local area agency on aging or the corresponding department in your state. These will provide grants depending on your age and income. The federal government also has home repair and modification grants for seniors that are administered by HUD. Most states, counties and cities have their own housing departments that will have grant programs as well. The best way to find out about these is to contact the city, county or borough housing department and ask them what is available in your area.
Most of these programs are aimed at repairing or modifying homes to address health, safety and energy related issues that can be expensive. Some of these include LIHEAP, which helps low-income households pay for heating and cooling costs and can make other energy-related repairs. Another is the Section 504 Home Repair program, which provides grants for elderly very-low-income homeowners who need to make repairs or improvements to their single-family homes.
Other programs focus on addressing specific needs such as accessibility. These could include the installation of grab bars, walk-in tubs or wheelchair ramps. There are also programs that cover roof repairs or replacement, windows and doors, and heating systems. Some programs even provide grants for kitchen remodels or other non-energy related improvements that can boost the value of your home. The most important thing to remember is that these programs are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. So the sooner you start looking, the better your chances are of getting some free money to do whatever you want to your home.
Home improvement referral sites provide homeowners with an efficient way to connect with contractors for projects like painting, landscaping, home remodeling and other small renovations. However, these sites can also be an entry point for bad contractors who prey on vulnerable homeowners and may even scam them out of money.
Fortunately, there are some excellent contractor review sites that provide homeowners with a trustworthy and safe way to connect with contractors. These sites are free for contractors to join and highlight contractor reviews and testimonials, along with the services that they specialize in.
A few of the most well-known home improvement referral sites include HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack and Angi (formerly Angie’s List). Homeflock is another very good option because it allows customers to see a complete picture of a contractor’s public record, including any blemishes. Homeflock’s staff compiles information from building permits and links with federal and state licensing agencies. They then use this data to rank contractors based on their history.
Home referral sites are becoming increasingly scrutinized by regulators. Some of these websites function a bit like community bulletin boards, whereas others purport to limit participating contractors to those who have proof of insurance and pass a background check. Some of these companies even offer additional services for consumers, such as negotiating pricing, scheduling and facilitating payment from the consumer. This type of activity is drawing increasing scrutiny from regulators because it essentially mimics the activities of a licensed general contractor and is thus subject to licensing regulations.
For eight seasons and 203 episodes, millions of Americans tuned in to watch Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor struggle with family life and wrangle with home improvement problems. The fictional show was set in a middle-class American neighborhood where Tim, wife Jill, and their sons dealt with issues that many people face in their everyday lives. The real-life mistakes that the characters made each week were the defining characteristic of the show, making it a true sitcom gem.
One of the most iconic gags from Home Improvement (and one of the reasons it was such a success) is Tim Taylor’s penchant for falling off of high places. Whenever the character is working on something that can’t be reached from the ground, he invariably gets strung up in some makeshift rope harness and then falls off, much to the audience’s amusement. In reality, such a stunt would be dangerous and could cause serious injury or even death.
Another common theme of the series was a love for power tools and an inability to use them safely. This was a good way to demonstrate that while powerful tools can help you get jobs done quickly and efficiently, they must be used properly to avoid injury and damage to the work materials.
Last Man Standing fans were treated to a special treat Thursday when Tim Allen, who played the role of Home Improvement’s Tim Taylor, guest appeared on the Fox sitcom. The episode featured a meta crossover between the two shows that celebrated an anniversary and alluded to the series finale, which is fast approaching.