Increase Your Home's Worth With These HomeImprovement Ideas

It can be a lot of work to do home improvement projects. If you're new to the handyman game, thereare many things you need to learn before you start your first project. There are a lot of places (suchas knowing when to call in the professionals and how to save money on building materials) where alittle advice can go a long way towards improving your home improvement performance.

If every method you've used to fix your squeaky door has failed, you may need to replace your door'shinge. You can find hinges at different hardware stores. Removing the old hinge and installing thenew one is an easy project. You then align the hinges so you can replace pins.

A good tip is to put hot glue on your nuts and bolts to keep them in your storage containers. Whenseeking one little piece of hardware, it can be problematic even with the best labeling system. Evenclear labels can seem like a blur when you are frantically searching multiple containers for a smallpart.

To keep heated or cooled air from leaking around your windows and doors, install sealant strips anddraft excluders. Draft excluders fit underneath a door and stop hot air from leaking out and cold airfrom leaking in. Sealant strips fit around door frames and do the same function. You can purchasethese at most hardware stores.

The clear glass contained in windows is a major source of energy transfer, accounting for up to 20%of the total. Getting your bigger windows double-glazed can cut energy transfer by up to half, whichwill have a huge impact on your energy bills. What's more, it will keep indoor temperatures at sanelevels, even if outdoor temperatures are sub-zero or 100+.

You can purchase standalone solar lighting in numerous styles; however, they are not usually verygood for anything but decoration. Electric models may be just as effective. These lights are high inquality and will last you a long time.

Move the furniture in your room away from the walls to give the appearance of a bigger room. Thismakes it look like there is more square footage in the space and lends a modern feel to every room.

Insulate your plumbing to get ready for cold winter, or just to keep your water hot while it is runningthrough the lines to your sink. It's easy to find weatherizing tape or foam insulation to use on onyour pipes. This tape can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Get a second opinion on contractor recommendations and cost estimates for major home renovationsyou have planned. Even a reputable contractors sometimes take advantage of an easily intimidatedowner. Be sure to verify all the potential problems that a contractor mentions a home having.

Do you have an old dresser sitting in your bedroom that's seen better days? You can make it lookbrand new by refinishing it. By refinishing furniture you already have, not only do you save money,but you get a great looking piece of furniture and the satisfaction of security cameras knowing thatyou made it look great. There are many colors of stains from which you can choose.

Installing multiple smoke alarms will reduce your insurance premiums. This effect is greater witholder homes since insurance companies tend to assume that more recent homes are more fire-

resistant. And of course, besides saving you a few bucks, smoke alarms might just save your life.

Be sure that contractors you hire are insured. If they cause damage to your house without havinginsurance, you must take them to court in order to get your money. All you have to do to find out if acontractor is insured Get SafeAlarm is to simply ask to see proof of insurance.

Do you enjoying being outdoors, but hate bugs? The addition of a screened porch can be the perfectsolution. A screened enclosure gives your family a nice shaded and protected area that keeps thebugs out but lets the fresh air in. In order to have extra comfort during hot days, put in a ceiling fan.

Make sure you use all necessary safety precautions. You may think a hardhat is not necessary for alittle home project, but there are a lot of things that can injure your head. Depending on the type ofwork you're doing, you'll want to have goggles, hardhats, or even respirators ready in order to staysafe and healthy.

Many people simply leave their homes' rooms with the same paint schemes that came with them.They often make the wrong choices when choosing a color scheme. Choosing the right paint will dowonders for the look of your home.

When you are going to hire a contractor to complete a home improvement project, remember thatthe contractor's reputation is more important than what they are going to charge you. Contractorswho offer bargain prices are more likely to do shoddy work and use low-grade building materials. Itis likely that your inexpensive contractor will finish the work and then you will shortly need to repairor renovate the same area. Not only will you have additional repair costs, his poor work could makeit dangerous to live in your house. Choose a trustworthy contractor.

When you are painting walls, it is imperative that you protect trim by taping off. Paint can drip andrun, no matter how carefully you paint. Using tape on the trim will make it so that you don't getpaint where you don't want it. If your paint does get onto your trim, it may need touch-up work later.

Doing your own home improvement projects can be a good idea. There are also some times that youneed to hire a contractor. Your participation and oversight are still important when you hireprofessional assistance for your projects. These things are vital in any type of home improvementproject. Keep the tips shared here in mind to make your work much easier.