Fix Little Things Now to Save Big Later

When you own a home, it can feel like something is always going wrong, especially if you purchase an older home and inherit the problems that go with it. There are a few things you can let go, and there are others that, with a quick fix, will allow you to breathe a sigh of relief in the long run. So in the spirit of Black Friday, here are my top tips for big home improvement savings.

Overflowing Gutters

This autumn the leaves fell late, which means your gutters might be filled to the brim with debris. Clean them out before the snow comes or you might be looking at thousands of dollars in water damage. If your gutters are clogged up, the water from the snow has nowhere to go – so it will either seep into your roof or pour down into your foundation. Either way, a season of repetitive flooding might be too much for your home to handle. Call a professional for a gutter cleaning, or if you’re comfortable on a ladder you can do it yourself with a scoop or lawn blower.

Deteriorating Deck

If you’ve been out on your deck all summer, you may have noticed a few loose, soft or sagging boards. To check the damage, poke the boards with a screwdriver and see if the wood feels spongy. If it does, you could have rot. Rather than spend thousands to remove the whole deck, pull off the damaged boards and replace them with new wood before giving the deck a fresh coat of paint or stain to protect it before winter.

Moldy Foundation

Mold can be a fairly straightforward problem to deal with, unless you have it growing on your foundation. If you have plants and shrubs along the base of your house, the water you use to keep them hydrated and happy could be seeping down into your home, causing mildew and eventually rot. Check the perimeter of your home for any signs of mold, and take a look to see if plant roots are starting to crawl around your foundation. A good rule to follow is to keep shrubs at least three feet from your house and choose plants that are compact growers. A quick check and some pruning could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage repair.

Worn Wood Floors

If you have old wood floors, keeping them fresh with a protective layer of topcoat can prevent them from splitting, splintering and drying out. If you are starting to detect signs of wear, sand down your floors and apply a new coat of polyurethane. You can also opt to rent a floor polisher from your local hardware store. Some simple upkeep every few years should save you from replacing the entire floor, and from the bill that goes with it.

Peeling Paint

If you notice paint peeling on the outside of your home, now is a great time to scrape, sand, prime and re-paint the exterior. Not only will it make a huge difference cosmetically, it will also protect your home from seasonal rain, snow and wind damage. If the paint is only peeling in certain areas, it might be because that area is prone to flooding, so take care and inspect any wood for rot, especially around window sills and door frames.

Home maintenance can be a pain but spending thousands on unnecessary replacements is a whole heck of a lot worse. If you’re not sure where to start, a home improvement specialist can give you a thorough inspection to identify potential problem areas before they become a major headache. Enjoy your leftovers everyone and Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Don't rush into hiring the wrong contractor

With winter on the way, you might be in a race to batten down the hatches and get a few things fixed around the house.  Finding the right expert for a big job might seem daunting, but while you’re probably keen to get the required work done as quickly and efficiently as possible, hiring the wrong professional can do a lot more harm than good. So what to do? Here are my top tips.

Ask for referrals.

When it comes to hiring an expert for remodeling or home repair work, you should look at it the same way you would for a doctor or accountant. Start by asking friends, family or co-workers for a referral, or you can also try your local building inspector or the owner of the lumberyard in your area. Additionally, every tradesperson has a network of other home professionals they deal with regularly; so if you have a plumber but need an electrician, don’t be afraid to reach out.

Click the “like” button.

When meeting with professionals, your gut feeling is as important as anything else. Home improvement is a personal process so go at it in the same way you would a first date. Do you like what solutions and options the expert provides? Does he communicate with you in a way that’s clear and concise?  Do you feel comfortable that he will do the job the way you want it done? Don’t get caught up in special deals or flashy talk, trust your instincts and go with a professional that feels more like a partner than a salesman.

Don’t ask for a rough estimate.

If you have a big job that you need done, there is no use in asking for a “ballpark figure”. Chances are that the prices quoted in the estimate will change once the contractor has a chance to understand what is specifically required. Certain things such as the condition of the property, the materials used for the job and the personalization that you require will make up the price, so save yourself some time and confusion by making a list of what you really want before contractors show up for the first appointment. Most professionals will give you an estimate for free; so make the most of it by getting specific. Remember, getting a good deal is important, but not if it means scrimping on quality workmanship.

Do ask for a plan.

Understanding your costs is key, but it’s also a good idea to ask for a plan of action to ensure you are fully aware of both the process and the timeline for the job. A simple step-by-step explanation will give you the clarity you need to ensure that you and your contractor are on the same page, and it will also help you plan around activities you might have going on, like family coming into town for the holidays. As a professional, I like to make sure the steps involved in a job are clearly articulated for two reasons; it gives my customers confidence in the project and it helps them understand all the work being undertaken, especially the parts that might not be as obvious from the surface.  In my opinion, an educated customer is the best kind of customer.

10 shortcuts to try at home

I’m a big fan of small projects that make life a whole heck of a lot easier. I love at-home hacks, which are little tricks, tips and shortcuts that make things around the house run a bit more efficiently.  Hacks can be anything from organizing short cuts to simple solutions that make annoying tasks a bit less painful. Here is a list of my 10 favorites.

1. I keep a few small jars of extra paint under the sink in case we need a quick touch up. We use mason jars, but baby food jars work great too. This simple shortcut makes the whole process of prying the can open, mixing the paint and getting into a big mess simply disappear.

2. Speaking of painting, if you’re applying a few fresh coats of paint and need to cover small, stationery items such as sinks or toilets, use plastic wrap instead of tape. It sticks closer and is very easy to remove.

3. Use hot glue to stick a magnet to the end of your hammer so you don’t have to hold nails in your mouth. You can also do this with your paintbrush, which will keep it in place in the can while you take a break.

4. Attach small jars into the bottom of a shelf to store your nails, screws, washers, and other bits that always seem to find their way to the bottom of your toolbox. 

5. Old doorknobs make great hooks for storing items such as clothing, sports equipment or heavy tools in the garage. They are very sturdy and look pretty cool too.

6. If you have long, large cords, wrap them around strong coat hangers to keep them from getting tangled and damaged.

7. Make extra space under the sink by installing a thin shower curtain rod or tension rod to hold your spray bottles and cleaning products.

8. If you can’t stand the look of your wall thermostat or alarm, mount a framed picture or panting to some small hinges to hide it from view.

9. If you have scuff marks on a hard wood floor, rub them off using a dry tennis ball.

10. If you have an old dresser with sticking drawers, try rubbing candle wax on the tracks to loosen them up.

What are your favorite at-home hacks? I’d love to hear from you!