Home Improvment Information

Home Improvment Information

Hidden Home Improvement Hacks That Only Contractors Know About

They lived in suburban Detroit with a neighbor that was full of great advice and didn’t show his full face until the series finale. But the Taylors’ house was filled with more than a few subtle details many fans might have missed. Invest in area rugs to make “rooms” in open spaces.They’re the quickest way to create cohesive areas for dining, lounging, etc. Add a pendant to the entryway.Try something eye-catching and cinematic. It should take less than an hour to replace the current fixture, to the tune of about $100 for installation.

Installing hardwood flooring can make a dramatic improvement to any room in your home! Installing the hardwood is not that difficult but does require a couple of specialty tools to do the job right. Most importantly you need an air compressor and hose as well as a flooring nailer/stapler. Just about anyone who has older hardwood floors in their home or has discovered they have them under their carpet has thought about refinishing them. It is true you could hire someone to do this task, but if you have ever gotten it priced out you were probably surprised by the cost. In the bathrooms of many of our homes that are Pre-1980’s you will probably have a plugin in the wall with a large front cover and a small single plugin the middle.

An average quality carpeting will cost about $8- $12 per square foot, installed, says Matke. If you’re looking for a “safe” color, gray has been trending in recent years, Norris says. But it can hide some minor scratches or defects on painted surfaces. That could mean avoiding replacing dinged-up trim work or repainting entire walls. Keeping up with caulking maintenance in bathrooms and kitchens saves many water-damage repair costs later. When trying to sell, a nice coat of neutral paint can give the entire house a facelift, and buyers really love to see a fresh blank canvas.

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  • Everything is going well in your kitchen renovation until you get to the tiny cabinet hinge screws.
  • Center your showstopping art on the wall, and take care to hang it 57 inches above the ground- — that’s where the average eye level sits.
  • Keep it — it’ll feel special, even if you’re just ordering Thai takeout.
  • This is a great beginner DIY home improvement that will help keep insects out of your home and make your windows or screen doors more attractive.

A new shower head, toilet seat and taps will spruce up your bathroom without breaking the bank. New grouting can also be relatively cheap depending on the size of your bathroom. You should also replace carpets with vinyl or tiles as they’re easier to clean.

You Can Do Some Plumbing Repairs

A common DIY home-improvement mistake, especially when finishing a basement, is making access to essential plumbing valves difficult. When you remodel, leave space or an access door to the main water valve, exterior spigot valves, water heater valves and any others your home may have. It’s probably less expensive and certainly more convenient to install a backyard shed or hire a handyperson to create access to hidden places in your house than renting space long-term. Many homes in rural parts of the U.S. rely on well water rather than city water. But well water has pros and cons that city people may never have considered. Aluminum foil is one of those everyday kitchen items that we don’t really give much thought to, but it can be used for a lot more than wrapping leftovers.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in the U S.?

The most important thing to remember when installing grab bars is to find the studs and mount the bars directly to them. Miss the studs and you’ll be pulling out more than the bars when you put your weight on them. Create extra storage in a snap with kits for bookcases, shelving, or cabinetry that you assemble yourself. Try a combination of open shelving and cabinets for a mix of storage and display space.

God’s Creatures Review: An Intense & Unsettling Gothic That Takes Its Time

Restock your linen closet.If you wouldn’t show your current bath towels and bed linens to your visiting mother-in-law, ditch ’em and start anew. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

If your home has single-pane windows, they could be wasting up to 25% of your energy costs. Improve your home’s energy efficiency by replacing single-pane windows with high-performance double-pane Energy Star-rated windows. Look for windows labeled low-emissivity (low-E) or spectrally selective—they have a coating that reduces thermal heat transfer. Beaded board lends a traditional touch to kitchens and bathrooms. Cut holes in the boards or sheets for outlets, phone jacks, and other wall necessities. Be sure to finish it with a waterproof sealant if you are installing it behind or around a sink.

In most cases, you’ll need to leave some money in the home to refinance. Assume you can only refinance 80% of the value of the home. That means $40,000 stays in the home, and you take out $25,000, minus closing costs, in cash.