Doing your own home improvement projects can make your home a nicer place to live and save you quite a bit of cash, as well. Home improvements require a lot of planning and preparation in order to do them correctly. The following tips should help you keep yourself on track and have a successful project.
Toilet Bowl
Put bleach in your toilet bowl to keep it clean. Bleaching the toilet bowl not only keeps it clean but also kills germs and bacteria. Scented bleach options are also available to help with odor.
If you plan to hire a professional to work on your home, always get references. Think of it in terms of hiring an employee for your business. You should have an idea what their background is and know if the work that they’ve performed elsewhere has been satisfactory.
Take a moment to review the ingredients of your cleansers before you try to flush out a clogged drain. Cleaners differ, and some can be very harsh on your plumbing. Crystallized cleaners can stick to the pipes and corrode them. Be sure to select drain cleaners that work well with the type of septic tank you have.
Never hire an unlicensed contractor for a home improvement job. All sub-contractors and general contractors in every state are required to have certification. The requirements aren’t a guarantee of competence, but they are required. Unlicensed contractors usually lack insurance as well, meaning that you take a major risk in hiring them.
Virtually all building supplies used in home improvement projects are valuable targets for theft. That’s why these supplies should be located in a secure spot whenever you are not using them. If the home itself is secure, with windows and doors that lock, it is fine to leave the supplies inside. If the house is not secure, using lockable storage containers will help to deter theft.
Chandeliers need not be reserved for mansions anymore. You can get yourself an elegant chandelier for less than $500 to compliment any room. If you want a chandelier that will stand out, try getting one that puts out 200-400 watts.
A level is key to installing new cabinets. Find the highest point of the kitchen floor, and use that point to establish the height your new cabinets will be hung at.
If you don’t care to do a lot of landscaping yourself and you’d prefer not to spend money on professional maintenance, one alternative is to put together a yard that requires minimal maintenance. Plants that don’t require much water and rock beds are very popular for this purpose. This saves both time and money.
You can significantly improve the look of any room with new window treatments. Curtains are very affordable and you can easily create a new atmosphere by varying your window treatment options. You can even customize the look by season by selecting fabrics in colors that reflect the seasons, such as light colors for spring and summer and richer colors for autumn and winter.
Some improvement can also save you money on energy bills. Add some energy efficient light bulbs to use around 75% less energy than the common ones. Insulating your hot water heater will prevent your water heater from wasting energy and save you money.
Installing guards or screens on your gutters is an excellent project if you have a lot of trees around your house, or if you simply dislike cleaning out your gutters. This prevents any buildup of leaves, allowing water to flow efficiently from your roof. While you may have to maintain your gutters occasionally, it will greatly reduce the amount of debris that collects.
These tips are going to assist you in becoming a master at home improvement. By following them correctly, you should have little trouble in creating the type of home you have always wanted. With effort, it is only going to get better; as long as you use the advice laid out here to do it!
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