Doing It Yourself Home Improvement
There comes a time in the life of any home that it needs a make-over - that essential event that could turn a tired abode into a spanking new pad. Questions come flying in the window, though, the moment your eyes start sparkling with new visions: Where do you start? How much will it cost? Can you do it yourself? Or do you need a team of professionals to do it whilst you kick back on the porch?
This lens will try to answer some of these questions, provide you with some ideas, and point you in a few directions.
A Cool Head Lays A Sound Foundation
Ideas on how to improve your dwelling are available from just about everywhere you care to look - friends, family, books, television and of course the Internet (including right here on Squidoo). Although these tips might give you some mental pictures to play around with, doing your own research may prove to be the best way to go - as long as your sources are credible!
It's always a good idea to decide beforehand what the scale of your home improvements would be: Some people opt for the "let's knock down the house and build another one" type of home improvement, while others start of with changing the bathroom faucets and end up with knocking down a wall to add a jacuzzi! Decide on what needs to be improved, stick with that, and when that's done and the paint has dried, move on to the next project.
Another piece of sound advice is to budget. It's not going to do anyone any good if you knock down the living room wall just to realize it's going to cost more than month's salary to replace it. Again: Decide on what needs to be done first, work out a budget, make sure the budget is accurate, and then proceed.
It's always a good idea to decide beforehand what the scale of your home improvements would be: Some people opt for the "let's knock down the house and build another one" type of home improvement, while others start of with changing the bathroom faucets and end up with knocking down a wall to add a jacuzzi! Decide on what needs to be improved, stick with that, and when that's done and the paint has dried, move on to the next project.
Another piece of sound advice is to budget. It's not going to do anyone any good if you knock down the living room wall just to realize it's going to cost more than month's salary to replace it. Again: Decide on what needs to be done first, work out a budget, make sure the budget is accurate, and then proceed.
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Getting Everyone Involved...
And Consider Everyone's Opinion
Fortunately the home that needs improvement is the home of the entire family. So what better time is there to line up all the members and get them involved! Whether it's painting jobs, carrying stuff or just ensuring a regular supply of beverages and sandwiches, when everyone has a role in the process, home improvement becomes a labor of love. Or at least that's the theory... teenage members might not be as excited as mom or dad about getting their hands dirty, and a power tool in the hands of an energetic eight-year old has never, and will never be a good idea.Nevertheless, making home improvement a family activity should at the very least be on the cards.
Now that we're on the topic, remember that most home improvements carry some kind of significance for each member of the family, and should be carried out with care and consideration for everyone living in the home. Projects should therefore be discussed with all members of the household in advance. Larger home improvement projects that would require a significant amount of money should especially be considered with the utmost regard to the welfare of the family - and to the well-being of your bank balance!
Selecting Home Improvement Reading Material
Home improvement books are just as common as magazines and catalogues on the subject. Other than magazines, home improvement books usually don't fall in the light reading category, and should only be purchased if you're seriously considering substantial improvements to your home.
Home improvement books are usually written or compiled by professionals and experts in the field. They tend to go into minute detail concerning home improvement projects, including information regarding building material and expenses.
One thing to keep in mind, as has already been stated, is that home improvement books are usually NOT intended for people considering small projects, but rather for people who want to do full blown house building and extensions. If you want something to help you along with smaller projects then you'd be best advised to invest in a magazine or a catalogue on the subject.
[Note: For a selection of books on home improvement, see the next two modules.]
Home improvement books are usually written or compiled by professionals and experts in the field. They tend to go into minute detail concerning home improvement projects, including information regarding building material and expenses.
One thing to keep in mind, as has already been stated, is that home improvement books are usually NOT intended for people considering small projects, but rather for people who want to do full blown house building and extensions. If you want something to help you along with smaller projects then you'd be best advised to invest in a magazine or a catalogue on the subject.
[Note: For a selection of books on home improvement, see the next two modules.]
Home Improvement Products
Provided below is a short list of information products loaded with facts, figures, tips and techniques that will help you improve your home and/or property.
- Living Off the Grid:
- Is your Electricity bill reaching $200-even $300 per month? Do you want to learn what you can do about it? Are you interested in off grid living, renewable energy, solar panels, how to build your own homemade wind generator, or even how to build your own house? This five-book package provides answers, and more...
- Declutter Fast:
- According to Mimi Tanner, most people have a "clutter problem" and even worse, that many people judge you by your level of clutter. Learn how to get your home in order in a day or two in the easiest possible way.
- Mortgage Cycling Revealed:
- Learn how to quickly build at least $40,000 worth of home equity and pay your mortgage off in 10 years or less - without making biweekly mortgage payments or changing your current mortgage.
- How To Build your Own Lawn Sprinkler System:
- Scott Young has been a lawn sprinkler service professional for nine years. He'll teach you how you can install your own automatic lawn sprinkler system in six days or less and be on your way to a healthier, greener lawn or garden.
- Mortgage Cycling Revealed:
- After four years of research, Craig Romero has developed a simple mortgage reduction program that will teach you how to quickly build your home equity and pay your mortgage off faster than any other mortgage reduction strategy available -- without changing your current mortgage and without the use of a biweekly mortgage plan.
DIY Home Improvement Manuals on Amazon
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home
Amazon Price: $29.70 (as of 10/06/2008)
Inside Today's Home
Amazon Price: $134.05 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black & Decker)
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 10/06/2008)
Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden))
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 10/06/2008)
Improving Your House Without Breaking The Bank
Even home improvement projects that seem simple at first can prove to be more expensive than you had planned for. Obviously proper budgeting is essential, but there are a few other things you should keep in mind. Here's a short list:
- Decide which of your home improvement needs are more critical than others. Be willing to compromise on on a less important area if that means you can get a better quality material for a more pressing need.
- Shop around before you buy. Many hardware stores or other home improvement businesses offer discounts. Know what you're looking for and browse around to find exactly that at the lowest price - without compromising too much on quality!
- When setting up your budget, take into consideration any problems that could arise. There's no point budgeting around the idea of getting everything at a discount price, and then ending up borrowing from the grocery fund because some material just could not be had for cheap.
- For the past decade or so people have increasingly become used the idea of shopping over the Internet. Although books and DVDs and especially digital downloads are the most popular items being bought online, many home improvement products - including equipment and building material - can be found at cheaper prices than at your local store. Naturally you're advised to take care when it comes to where and from whom you buy, and to make sure your purchases are secure. Having said that, very nice discounts can be had at reliable online stores with a good reputation. It might also be a good idea to start your search on the Internet to get an estimate of costs.
- Consider the scale of your improvements. Does your entire house really need a new overcoat, or will some strategic retouching do the job. Some experts also suggest a change in lighting fixtures will give a room a completely new atmosphere, so consider that before you do something more dramatic and much more expensive.
- Even though there are ways to cut down on the cost of your improvements, it's important not to cut too many corners, especially on work that's highly visibly for family and guests alike. If you need to pay a little more to get a professional to do some of the work, it might be better - and cheaper - on the long run than to have to do it over yourself.
Home Improvement Caught On Tape
DIY Home Improvement Projects : Replacing Toilets & Weatherstripping : How to Remove a Toilet : DIY Home Improvement
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Top D.I.Y. Resources on the Internet
- Do It Yourself
- Do it yourself home improvement and D.I.Y repair ideas and advice. Includes home improvement projects, home repair, kitchen remodeling, plumbing, and more.
- Ask The Builder
- Build and remodel your home the right way. Learn how the master craftsmen of old built things to last.
- Energy Star Home Improvement Toolbox
- Tips, statistics, and calculators aiming to help homeowners improve their home's energy performance when repairing, remodeling, or improving their homes.
- Home Improvements - HUD
- Whether you want to fix a faucet or add a new addition to your home, you need to know the facts and the pitfalls of home improvements. This site lists some sources that can help.
- HGTV
- Transform your home with inspiration and instruction for home design, decorating, home improvement, landscaping and more from HGTV projects and videos.
