Home Improvement is an art that most women have imbibed in them. Home
Improvement increases the worth of the family residing in it. Also By
maintaining it and improving it, you'll ensure it continues to increase in
value. Maintaining Your Home Taking regular care of your appliances and checking
plumbing and heating/cooling systems regularly can save on costly repairs or
even more costly replacements. Review your home inspector's report to help you
prioritize tasks. It is worthwhile to consult a professional for anything you
have a hard time fixing or inspecting. Some professionals may charge a fee.
Cosmetic Changes vs. remodeling you have visions of color and comfort. The back
porch could use a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen cabinets need to be updated.
When do cosmetic changes (paint, window treatments) turn into major remodeling
and renovation projects? To keep the cost of remodeling from increasing
dramatically it's best to set a budget first and work to maximize the features
you want within that budget. This may also help set the limit between cosmetic
and major improvements Many homeowners believe that any improvement will
automatically increase the value of their property. Appraisers offer a more
cautious perspective.. In other words, if you live on a street of modest two-
and three-bedroom bungalows, don't turn your home into a six-bedroom mansion.
Cosmetic changes such as new paint, flooring and window treatments are
considered matters of personal style and therefore, add the least amount of
value to a home. Your home is your greatest financial asset. Take proper care of
it and most likely, it will do the same for you. Planning takes time and
includes lots of mundane tasks such as getting permits and financing. But the
benefits are immeasurable both in time and money saved. Individual plans will
vary depending on the scope of the project. Steps overlap and sometimes changing
in one aspect of your plan forces changes in others. But almost every plan will
include at least these five steps.
1. Dream It Make sure your concept for the addition blends with the existing
houses materials and design. For example: Adding on a Cape Cod family room to a
50s ranch style home would look silly at best. Do a quick sketch of the addition
you're planning even before consulting with a builder or designer. 2. Design It
If your plans require the removal or alteration of a supporting wall, contact a
building engineer or architect to learn if your idea will affect the strength of
the existing structure. Major structural changes may increase the time and cost
of your project. A consultation may provide you with alternatives. 3. Paying for
It Establish a budget for this project and determine where the money is coming
from. The money available will impact the scope of the project. Remember that
anything not included in the original contract will cost extra. It's tempting to
start making changes and expanding the original plan. Try to control yourself or
you might be adding hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars that will shatter your
budget and your time line. 4. Permits and Codes If you've hired a local
contractor or architect, he should be able to tell you if your idea will pass
the building inspection. A professional should be able to handle the entire
permit process, from drawing up plans, applying for the permit and scheduling
inspections. If you're doing it yourself, visit your planning department and
research the codes that pertain to your project. If the agency requires
certified plans, you may still have to consult with an architect or engineer who
can provide them. 5. Timing Establish a time frame for the project. Much of an
addition is exterior work and will need to be accomplished according to the
seasons. Your start date should be the date you actually beginning construction,
so make sure your financing is in place before this date. Your time frame needs
to take into account who is doing the work. If this is a do-it-yourself project,
your time will probably be more limited because of job and family. If the job
takes eight full days to complete, and you can only work weekends, it will take
you four weeks. Consider if the money saved by doing it yourself is worth the
extra time.
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