Many home-improvement jobs can be done without http://www.eliteconstructionandbuilding.com/disaster-...

1. Easy DIY Projects For The House Improvement Newbie
Many home-improvement jobs can be done without
http://www.eliteconstructionandbuilding.com/disaster-repair-asheville-nc/ the help of a professional.
Many self-help books are available that you can use to learn exactly what techniques and equipment
you need for any job. If you follow the directions, you should be able to get the job done right the
first time.
When you are installing new cabinets yourself. Start with the top set first. This way you will have
plenty of room underneath to stand and navigate as you hang the top ones. The bottom set are much
easier to install as there is no holding up a heavy cabinet while it gets screwed in.
Improve your home and lower your water bill by changing out your toilet with a more efficient
model. Many companies have reduced the amount of gallons it takes to flush and they even feature
options, such as flushing only liquids or solids, so you can control how much water is used,
depending on what is in the toilet.
When it comes to home improvement, it is important to know which types of improvements will add
to the value of your home and which will not. This will be important when it does come time to sell
your house. Such general maintenance such as sealing the driveway and replacing the roof will not
add to the value, however, an additional bathroom or a patio may.
Always insist on references before hiring a contractor to work on your home improvement project.
Make sure your potential contractor is properly licensed to perform the work in question. Hiring a
professional is worth the money to give you peace of mind that the job is done right the first time.
Children tend to stick their fingers where they
don't belong and touch things they shouldn't.
Leaving your outlets uncovered leaves the
chance of your child getting electric shock. You
can buy small plastic covers from your local
store for electric outlets to keep your child
from reaching in and getting shocked.
Soak your hands in salad oil after completing
an oil painting job. The oil will help release the paint from where it has splattered on your hands.
Salad oil smells better and is a lot safer than the typical cleanup choices of mineral spirits or
kerosene.
Roof improvements can be an excellent choice for a home improvement project. Consider choosing
white tile to re-do your roof. Tiles that are lighter in color can reduce the amount of heat that is
pulled into your attic. This helps to save you money on your energy bills in the summer.

2. Replacing your old window treatments is a great way to improve the look of your windows. Blinds
can easily get faded or damaged. Blinds are not that expensive and can make a real difference for
your windows. It will surprise you.
When doing home improvement projects on your house, sometimes remodeling unfinished areas
offers the most affordable opportunities to increase the value and functionality of your home.
Refinishing the basement of your home not only increases the amount of usable living space in your
house, it also will give your home better market value.
If you are planning on painting a room as part of a home improvement project, you can save money
by accurately estimating the amount of paint you will need. One gallon of paint will cover about 350
square feet of wall space, unless you are painting drywall, which absorbs more paint. An accurate
estimate can prevent you from overbuying paint, which once mixed in a specific color generally can't
be returned.
Most people don't think of their circuit breakers until they lose power unexpectedly. One of the best
things you can do to improve the safety and efficiency of your home is to regularly test your breakers
by switching them on and off at least once yearly. This clears the breaker contacts of any built-up
corrosion and allows them to work more efficiently and safely. If your breakers frequently trip, this
may indicate potential safety issues that require an electrician.
Make your real estate remodeling activities more green to save money. You can have substantial
long term savings within your investment when you choose environmentally safe materials and
appliances. There are many items, from paint to building materials, that will have a much better, and
longer-lasting, impact on everyone's future.
Interior paint finishes come in a number of textures. For ordinary homeowners there is no reason to
select a texture rougher than "eggshell" or "orange peel." In years gone by much rougher textures
(like "popcorn") were used for walls and ceilings in order to provide visual interest and dampen
sound. These textures proved easy to damage and hard to clean, and so fell out of common use.
Always use a guide when you are using a circular saw. A guide is a straight piece of material that
you may simply push the saw against while you are cutting. Circular saws are notoriously difficult to
control, and by simply clamping down a scrap piece of wood, you will ensure a straighter, more
controlled cut.
If you live in a hot climate, replace your original glass windows with low-E glass, which can make it
easier and more affordable to cool http://www.calfinder.com/kitchen your house in the boiling
summertime. Although the installation can be a bit pricey if you pay someone to do it, you will
recoup your costs in energy savings by the end of the summer.
Installing a breakfast bar can divide your kitchen and dining or family room without a cramped
feeling. The open space provided by a combined kitchen and family room can make any home feel
larger; however, it can also make it difficult to treat the rooms as separate spaces, especially
regarding decor. A breakfast bar can serve as a functional divider that separates the rooms without
closing them off.
Keep the feel of your neighborhood in mind when you are planning any exterior home improvement
projects. If the appearance of your property is out of line with the rest of the area, it may be harder

3. to sell it.
Home improvement work is something many feel ill-equipped to undertake on their own. The
important thing to remember, though, is that with the proper information, anything is possible in
this realm. Take advantage of the tips in this piece, and you will soon be ready to perform a broad
array of home improvement jobs that will increase the appeal of your home.