Home Improvement Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

After having to pause on many projects due to COVID-19, you can bet that 2021 will be a year of home improvements for many across the United States. The real question is, where do you even start?

There are so many things that have gone undone over the past year that you have to prioritize by deciding what’s most important to your home’s structure and safety and what’s past due. Furthermore, you have to work out how to finance the entire project. Continue reading to get some home improvement tips every homeowner needs to know.

Every good home improvement project starts with a plan and a budget.

When the time comes to upgrade your home, you have to approach it strategically. Remodeling is expensive, so you need to create a budget before you begin the project to make sure you stay within your means.

If you plan on doing your renovations during the spring and summer, you need to start planning your budget and saving right now. One of the benefits of planning early is you’ll see whether you have the necessary funds for your project or need to get a loan.

Sometimes, the best way to pay for home renovations is with a home equity loan. If you’ve been paying on your home for a few years, your equity could be more than enough to finance your home improvements. Even if you own a relatively new home, if you’ve got equity in it, you should use it to your advantage, but do it wisely.

The best way to make sure your project stays on time and budget is to hire a general contractor to manage your project. Even if you’re a DIY aficionado, dealing with home repairs while you’re working is costly and inefficient. A contractor can get the materials you need at a better price, finish the project in less time, and guarantee their work. Hiring a contractor will definitely cost you a pretty penny, but that’s why you should use your home equity to pay for the project.

Start with the roof.

The top priority of home improvements is to ensure your home’s functionality as well as aesthetic allure. As much as you may want to start working in the kitchen, the first thing you should begin working on is your roof.

Even if you know a little about carpentry, it’s a good idea to let a contractor work on your roof if you aren’t a pro. They’ll be able to make suggestions for your roof based on your home’s needs and show you samples so you can pick the ones that match your plantation shutters the best. Furthermore, a roofing contractor will be able to help you protect your shudders from the elements if they’re made out of real wood and install new gutters to lead water away from them and your roof.

Puppy-proof your home.

We all love our fur buddies, but as domesticated as they are, they can still be hard on your home. If you’ve just welcomed a new puppy into your home, you should prep your home for all the possibilities. A new dog may suffer separation anxiety and claw at furniture or tear up belongings, which is frustrating for both the new dog and the pet owner.

If you have hardwood floors, you should put down durable area rugs or replace them with tiles. You may feel like replacing your floors is a dramatic move, but it’s worth it when compared to the damages that dog paws do to real wood.

If you’re thinking about how to make your home more comfortable for an older dog struggling with mobility, one of the best things you can do is put a ramp on the stairs for him. You may even want to get a home consultation with an expert who can assess your home and suggest ways to make it more comfy and accessible for your aging dog.

Dixie Frazier

Content Director

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