Local authority home improvement loans
Everyone likes to save money on electricity bills, which makes ceiling fans an appealing addition to any home. Ceiling fans cut down on air conditioning costs, and they can also reduce heating costs by circulating warm air away from the ceiling. A primary fan costs about $50, and you can get a nice one for no more than a couple of hundred dollars. If you don’t already have wiring from overhead lighting, you may need to hire a professional, which can significantly escalate the cost of this project. Switch plates, outlet covers, curtain rods, light fixtures, and doorknobs are often boring or overlooked, but you can add significant pizzazz for just a few dollars.
- Another significant change that homeowners are considering is the addition of an accessory dwelling unit .
- Home or residential renovation is an almost $300 billion industry in the United States, and a $48 billion industry in Canada.
- It’s even easier to add a new light fixture into ceilings connected to attic space, says Daryl Berg, a journeyman electrician in Longview, Washington.
In this equity release product which is usually only available to people who are at least 60 , you sell part or all of your home to a home reversion provider in return for a lump sum or regular payments. You will have the right to continue living in the property rent free until you pass away, but you have to maintain and insure the house. If you want to add extra value to your real estate then remodeling and renovating can be taken into consideration. Big projects like loft conversions, adding a conservatory or converting a garage are big projects with big rewards.
Smartify your locks.Create a smart lock for your door, so you never have to leave keys for the housekeeper. Control it from your phone and assign access “keys” to anyone you please. Revive a dated fireplace.Have the brick painted white, stack birch logs on the firebox floor, and purchase a hot new hearth-tool set.
Choosing one color and clean-lined tile for the backsplash in a small kitchen keeps the look uncluttered and roomy. If you have a window that faces frigid winter winds, replace it with a high-efficiency unit. If your home has single-pane windows, they could be wasting up to 25% of your energy costs. Improve your home’s energy efficiency by replacing single-pane windows with high-performance double-pane Energy Star-rated windows. Look for windows labeled low-emissivity (low-E) or spectrally selective—they have a coating that reduces thermal heat transfer. If a traditional entry closet or a built-in shelving system isn’t an option in your home, refashioned furniture can achieve a look that’s equally stylish and storage-savvy.
There is even a peel and stick backsplash option that saves you the time of grouting tile. Our advice would be to start with an area that may need the protection most, like near a sink or behind a stove. Based on your overall comfortability with the tasks at hand, the loans can be used for DIY projects or to pay for a contractor. Using a credit card is a great option if you are only making minor improvements to your home.
Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making
Adding a fresh coat of paint is a simple and affordable home improvement project that can add color and bring new life into your space. It also helps defend your home’s surfaces from wear and tear. Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it, it’s a lot easier to paint an empty room. Plus, redoing your walls before House & Home Improvement moving day means you don’t have to live with the smell of drying paint in your home. As homeowners want to connect with nature more, windows, doors and wall glazing home improvements were on the rise. The trend of changing out windows and doors, and sometimes an entire wall to fit oversized glass options, is rising.
Hung over a patio, porch or backyard, globe cafe lights instantly turn any outdoor space into a gathering spot, increasing your usable square footage. This extra “room” comes in handy when entertaining or in the summer months when warm evenings are best spent outdoors, drink in hand. Do you love the look of old shiplap walls and ceilings, but live in a new home? Add a gorgeous shiplap accent wall in any space for $50 or less by trimming down plywood into planks, then attaching the boards to your wall using construction adhesive and nails. Finish it off by painting the panels, and admire your DIY shiplap on a dime. Professional contractors ready to update or remodel any room in your home.
Take advantage of the predictable weather, but be smart about painting in the heat, too. Like any outdoor DIY project during the summer, start early in the day and take a break when it gets too warm. If you have a child moving into college dorms this fall, start a list of what they might need. Half of what you want in your suitcase – or dorm room – won’t fit. Make a list, refine it, set a budget and keep an eye out for good deals. Use this guide for decorating small spaces to get you started.
Typically, you’ll not only make back what you spend, but double your money – and then some. Add a lower interest rate and you’ll come out ahead if your house is worth more. The right home improvements could make your home more appealing to buyers down the line. If you refinance at the right time, you could find yourself in an even better loan than you had before.