Tag: home improvement

Selling Your House Begins With Making Essential Home Improvements

Sarah Miller

Before you even put your home on the market, you can raise the value and if you do the right home improvement projects, you will most likely find someone to buy it. It is essential to be true to yourself and really figure out which items need to be traded out, cleaned up or repaired. When figuring out which major and which minor changes are required and that will also be worthwhile, the following principles should be kept in mind.

Make sure that when a potential buyer takes a look at your home, the first impression they get is a really good one. This has quite a lot to do with the curb appeal of your house, and even little things are a part of this. The condition of your front door, to use one example, plays a large role in the way people feel about your house. This means that your front door deserves a thorough cleaning or even a new coating of paint.

It is also a good idea to make sure that, if you’ve got a front lawn, that you maintain it properly. If you have a fence or a gate, it needs to be in good condition and not in need of new paint or de-rusting. Make sure that your windows are clean. Each of these factors add up to create the impression that buyers get for your home.

One of the most important parts of every home is the roof. When your roof needs repairs or replacing, it is important to take care of that before you put the house on the market. No buyer is going to be interested in buying a house that needs its roof replaced. The primary exception to this rule is the buyer looking for a “fixer upper” and you can be sure that those buyers are only going to offer you a fraction of what you are asking for your house. So even though it can be really expensive and lots of trouble to fix, you need to do it if necessary. A newly replaced roof is an important selling point. This one factor can be the difference between people seeing your home as one that’s in good condition and one that needs work.

Before you take on any repairs or construction projects for your home make sure that you’ve got all of the proper permits in place.

This could include the building of things outside like a new deck or storage shed or putting in a new or extra bathroom. Laws are different in every town but most of the time you are going to need a permit before you can do any real work to your home. If you don’t take care of these matters properly, it could prove to be a problem when you sell the house. Most of the time it isn’t all that hard to get a permit and if you hire a licensed contractor to do your work, that contractor can usually take care of those things. You still need to pay attention to the process however, if you want it to run smoothly. Home improvement projects are definitely a way that you can improve your home very quickly and get a great price for it. Some might waste your money, but others will definitely pay off in the end. Your potential buyer, and their mindset, are what you need to focus on – do a home improvement project that you think they would approve of and it will definitely help you make the sale.

Tips When Hiring Contractors for Home Improvement

Sarah Miller

If you have some home improvement projects, you may be wondering if hiring a contractor is a good idea. You really only have a few options available including hiring a handyman, doing your own work, or going with a contractor who is licensed in your state and insured. Only you can decide which choice is right, but in this article we’ll be looking at some factors to consider when you’re thinking of hiring a contractor.

Calling just one contractor and hiring them before you check out anyone else isn’t a good idea. The exception to this rule would be if a trustworthy person made a personal recommendation. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to get at least three different estimates before making a choice. Any estimates you get should be free, you shouldn’t be required to hand over money just for somebody visiting your home and having a look around. You should note down the estimates for each job so you know how much it’ll cost you. Doing this makes it a lot easier when it comes to comparing contractors to see if one is maybe charging you too much. You can also see who you’re the most comfortable with by meeting and interviewing a number of contractors.

Your house does not have a revolving door, it is crucial that you know who exactly will be on the premises; including your contractor. The first places to look would be the Better Business Bureau and your Chamber of Commerce. Any complaints lodged should be researched; however just because someone did not like the business deal with their contractor, does not mean they are not worth hiring. You will find dishonest and unqualified builders; but there are just as many homeowners with the same traits and will lodge a complaint even when the builder was not incompetent in any way. One case in point might be when the contractor gives the owner a price for a specific job and then the owner decides to embellish without paying anything extra. Once you have studied the records; read the complaints and make a decision on the facts.

If you’re thinking about hiring a contractor but aren’t sure where to find a good one, you may want to get in inspection done on your home by a licensed home inspector. Even though this is most often done preceding the purchase of the real estate; it can be helpful to point out any flaws that need attention. If anybody will have the scoop on the most skilled contractors for your particular job, it will be the inspector, he can steer you in the right direction. The inspector may also find some interesting issues, like structural problems, or maybe even a bug infestation.

Even small home renovations or improvements can increase the value of your home on the market as well as for your enjoyment of the home. Be selective in your search for a contractor since high quality contractors are going to be much more likely to give you exactly what you’re looking for. These simple tips will have you hiring the contractor most likely to give you the renovation results you’re after.