If you’ve ever heard the old adage “measure twice and cut once,” then you’re well on your way to learning the correct way of making home improvements. That isn’t all there is to know, however. So find out what you don’t know in the article below.
Does your porch need a new paint job? If so, make sure the paint you use is good quality. In all cases, it’s important that you cover up old paint with new paint of the same variety, i.e., water-based / latex paint over latex and oil-based paint over oil. An oil-based paint is better for trims and will last a long time but you should use a water-based paint for decks or floors since oil-based paint can become slippery in the winter.
Replace old and outdated sliding glass patio doors with french doors. The look is bold and modern, something that new buyers will really appreciate. It’s the kind of small touch that is quick, easy, and inexpensive but will give you the most bang for your hard earn buck.
To avoid costly mistakes when painting a room, make a small investment in the paint samples that many retailers offer. You can get 8 ounce sample sizes in any available color. For a small cost, you can apply paint to a big enough area to really get a feel for how the paint will look, much more accurately than with paint chips alone.
Do not allow any work to be done on your home without a proper contract. If you can, have a lawyer look over the contract before signing it. There are many details that you can examine yourself in the home improvement contract including the total time anticipated to complete the project, when it will begin and finish, how long a workday the contractor puts in, warranties on work performed as well as total cost for the project.
When it comes to home improvement, be sure to do your background work and ensure that the contractor is bonded. This is important because a way to assure that the job you intended to be completed will be completed per the stated terms. Also, the bond provider will cover any damage or theft that occurs.
Put your used paint brushes and rollers in plastic and in the fridge! If you are going to continue using the same paint in the near future there is no reason to wash out your brushes and rollers. Just seal them in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator. They will be usable for weeks!
After your home improvement work is finished, do not submit your final payment until you are happy with the work that was performed. You can also make “progress payments,” which involves giving the contractor small sums of money in certain increments over the course of the project. Do not pay for work that you are not satisfied with.
Millions of homeowners decide every day to make some type of improvement to their homes, and many of them end up with poor results. Pay attention to the tips provided to you in this article so that you’re always making the best possible home improvement decisions when it’s time to spruce up your house.