Do It Yourself Home Improvements

Do it yourself home improvements are more than the small fix-it and maintenance projects found on many a honey-do list. Home improvements can be made on the interior or exterior of your home and usually increase the value of your house.

Install track lighting to brighten a room

Whatever do it yourself home improvements you have in mind, planning is one of the most important steps, if you want to avoid unnecessary frustration and waste. For example, if you plan to add a deck to your home, you need a deck plan. A plan works as a guide throughout the construction process. It needs to be correctly sized, take lumber tolerance into consideration and include existing codes. Skipping over any one of these aspects of planning can lead to an unfinished project that costs time, materials, extra clean up and perhaps a contractor fee when you have someone else come and finish the job.

If you are tackling a home improvement project that's new to your skill sets, be sure to research how to approach the job and what you'll need. Check with a specialist at your local home improvement store, or talk to an experienced friend or acquaintance for professional help when designing your plan. If the project requires more than one person, be sure to line up a friend or two to lend a helping hand.

Not every home improvement project has to be large. Interior jobs can include small improvements that are functional in nature, like building an ironing board cabinet or installing a doggy door. However, if you're looking for do it yourself improvements to help you improve your home's saleability, you'll want to consider these top home improvment projects:

• Carpet: Before you list your home for sale, step back and take a good look at your flooring. Carpet needs to be free of stains and odors. Plus it should not be faded or worn. If you plan to take on installing new carpet, be sure to elicit the help of a dependable friend.
• Linoleum, tile and wood: Replace or repair damaged linoleum, tiles or wood. Flooring should be clean, unchipped and scratch free.

• Interior Walls: Take a close look at your home's interior walls, trim, and doorways. While you may be tempted to throw a fresh coat of paint on them to brighten and clean things up, be sure first to fill in any dings, scratches, or holes. Once you've taken care of patching and sanding, choose an interior paint that's neutral in color. It helps people looking at your home to visualize their furniture in the room.

• Exterior Walls: Check your exterior walls, trim, and doorways for gouges, scratches or holes, too. Exterior paint or siding should not look weathered or faded. If you plan to paint the exterior of your home, be sure to choose the proper paint for your home's exterior surface. For example, if you plan to paint over vinyl siding or stucco, the paint to use differs from that for wood siding. Check with the paint specialist at your local home improvement store to learn what paint is best for your project.

A home that's light and bright presents better than one that's dark. To add natural lighting, you may want to consider adding a skylight or bigger window. If you don't want to go to that expense, consider installing designer track lights to highlight attractive features in your home.

Fixing drippy faucets and running toilets may be on your honey-do list, but it is also considered a home improvement. If your dripping faucet has caused stains in the sink that can't be removed, you should consider changing out the sink too. If your bathroom is small, this can also give you an opportunity to install a pedestal sink to make the bathroom appear to be larger.

If your bathroom is dated, you can add to your home's saleability by installing:

• new fixtures
• cabinet hardware
• new countertops
• bathroom vanity

Do it yourselfers can't do all electrical work unless they are licensed. However, check and replace the following as needed:

• electrical switches
• plugs
• overhead lights
• outside lights
• ceiling fans

If you're really ready to sell you home, along with these home improvement projects, be sure to clean up clutter. Rent a storage unit and move excess furniture and clutter out of sight. Then give your home that special touch by buying fresh flowers, live plants or other decorative touches.

• Samples of Textured Walls
• Apron Sinks
• Interior Painting Techniques

• Glass Tile Backsplash Ideas
• How to Install a Bathtub
• Build a Kitchen Banquette
• Sliding Wood Closet Doors
• Wood Plank Look Ceramic Tile

• Master Bathroom Double Vanities
• Home Improvement Resources
• Easy Home Improvement Projects
• Exterior Home Renovations
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