Home Improvement
Home Improvement is an art that most women have imbibed in them.
Home Improvement increases the worth of the family residing in
it. Also By maintaining it and improving it, you'll ensure it
continues to increase in value. Maintaining Your Home Taking
regular care of your appliances and checking plumbing and
heating/cooling systems regularly can save on costly repairs or
even more costly replacements. Review your home inspector's
report to help you prioritize tasks. It is worthwhile to consult
a professional for anything you have a hard time fixing or
inspecting. Some professionals may charge a fee. Cosmetic
Changes vs. remodeling you have visions of color and comfort.
The back porch could use a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen
cabinets need to be updated. When do cosmetic changes (paint,
window treatments) turn into major remodeling and renovation
projects? To keep the cost of remodeling from increasing
dramatically it's best to set a budget first and work to
maximize the features you want within that budget. This may also
help set the limit between cosmetic and major improvements Many
homeowners believe that any improvement will automatically
increase the value of their property. Appraisers offer a more
cautious perspective.. In other words, if you live on a street
of modest two- and three-bedroom bungalows, don't turn your home
into a six-bedroom mansion. Cosmetic changes such as new paint,
flooring and window treatments are considered matters of
personal style and therefore, add the least amount of value to a
home. Your home is your greatest financial asset. Take proper
care of it and most likely, it will do the same for you.
Planning takes time and includes lots of mundane tasks such as
getting permits and financing. But the benefits are immeasurable
both in time and money saved. Individual plans will vary
depending on the scope of the project. Steps overlap and
sometimes changing in one aspect of your plan forces changes in
others. But almost every plan will include at least these five
steps.
1. Dream It Make sure your concept for the addition blends with
the existing houses materials and design. For example: Adding on
a Cape Cod family room to a 50s ranch style home would look
silly at best. Do a quick sketch of the addition you're planning
even before consulting with a builder or designer. 2. Design It
If your plans require the removal or alteration of a supporting
wall, contact a building engineer or architect to learn if your
idea will affect the strength of the existing structure. Major
structural changes may increase the time and cost of your
project. A consultation may provide you with alternatives. 3.
Paying for It Establish a budget for this project and determine
where the money is coming from. The money available will impact
the scope of the project. Remember that anything not included in
the original contract will cost extra. It's tempting to start
making changes and expanding the original plan. Try to control
yourself or you might be adding hundreds, maybe thousands, of
dollars that will shatter your budget and your time line. 4.
Permits and Codes If you've hired a local contractor or
architect, he should be able to tell you if your idea will pass
the building inspection. A professional should be able to handle
the entire permit process, from drawing up plans, applying for
the permit and scheduling inspections. If you're doing it
yourself, visit your planning department and research the codes
that pertain to your project. If the agency requires certified
plans, you may still have to consult with an architect or
engineer who can provide them. 5. Timing Establish a time frame
for the project. Much of an addition is exterior work and will
need to be accomplished according to the seasons. Your start
date should be the date you actually beginning construction, so
make sure your financing is in place before this date. Your time
frame needs to take into account who is doing the work. If this
is a do-it-yourself project, your time will probably be more
limited because of job and family. If the job takes eight full
days to complete, and you can only work weekends, it will take
you four weeks. Consider if the money saved by doing it yourself
is worth the extra time.
For more information on Home Improvement please visit the Home Improvement Resource center