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#1 of 9 Posted 3/19/08 8:46 AM

From Darlah PotechinADM Posts* 424 Last 5/14/09
To All [Msg # 16401.1 ]

Thought in these economic times, I would share some good articles that may help.

5 Ways to Get the Most Bang for Your Improvement Buck
By James and Morris Carey

A new layer of paint can completely transform a room.

In the nearly 30 years that we have made our living as remodelling contractors, we have experienced several economic recessions. And in the home improvement business, that’s not such a bad thing.

When demand for new housing slows and home values flatten or decrease, home improvement goes through the roof. Although the present economic turndown in the United States has not been dubbed a recession, it has — thanks in part to the subprime mortgage debacle — had an equally devastating effect on housing. Decreased home values make moving less attractive or even impossible.

If house-hunting is not an option, here are five things you can do to maintain your investment — and perhaps make it a bit more livable:

Safety First

There is no project or improvement that should take precedence over making your home safer. Start by making sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed throughout your home and that they are in good working order. Detectors and alarms 10 years and older should be replaced with new equipment.

Check the electrical system to prevent fires. Flashing lighting, blown fuses and popped breakers are telltale signs of bigger problems. Have an electrician check for little problems before they become major catastrophes. The same holds true with major appliances and heating and cooling equipment.

Prevent falls by repairing damaged paths, patios and decks. Installing path and porch lighting can improve both safety and security. Fixing a little problem before it becomes a big one can save lots of money on repair bills and utility cost by improving operating performance.

Clean It Up

A little cleaning can go a long way in improving the appearance of your home. We find that many people needlessly yank out perfectly good counters, cabinets, appliances and plumbing fixtures that could otherwise be rejuvenated with a little cleaning.

Cleaning grungy grout, replacing mildewed caulking, buffing out scale on a tub or shower (and door), cleaning grimy kitchen appliances and refreshing wood cabinets can do wonders for your home’s appearance and tide you over until your budget allows for that new gas range that you’ve been dreaming about.

Preserve and Protect

Safety aside, your next priority should be to do whatever you can to protect your investment by maintaining existing finishes and major components such as roofing, siding, windows and exterior doors.

You may not have the resources to install a new roof, but you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars (and lots of headaches) by repairing a leaking roof, patching damaged siding or repairing a broken window that can lead to costly damage.

Paint

Most people view painting as the opportunity to change the look and feel of their home. While it’s true that a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to improve the curb appeal of one’s home, paint also protects siding, trim, exterior doors, windows and rain gutters from the elements, which prevents rot and damage due to structural pests such as termites.

Less Is More

Just because your budget doesn’t allow you to have granite kitchen counters or hardwood flooring doesn’t mean that you can’t improve your kitchen. In the short term, consider installing more affordable, mainstream finishes such as laminate counters; paint or refinish cabinets; install new cabinet door and drawer pulls and knobs; paint appliances and install new door panels (stainless steel, colours or wood); and consider sheet vinyl or laminate flooring instead of more costly hardwood or ceramic tile.

When economic times improve, you can do your dream remodel without feeling guilty about yanking out your temporary upgrades.

Do you have any tips to share yourself? I know I sure could use some.

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#2 of 9 Posted 3/20/08 9:11 AM

From caljeanmid Posts 103 Last Nov-3
To Darlah Potechin*ADM [Msg # 16401.2 16401.1 ]

Job one is to insulate. Check for drafts $$$ around windows and doors, fireplaces and other openings, and add weatherstripping where necessary. Make sure all windows are at least double glazed and add storm windows where there are none.

My next task is to add screen or something something on the chimney top to prevent starlings (or squirrels) from flying into the fireplace again.

And then I must cut off tree branches that overhang or shade the roof.

Cal, from West Michigan

Local music, dance, and outdoor events info at http://www.freewebs.com/dancealot

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#3 of 9 Posted 3/20/08 11:53 AM

From Darlah PotechinADM Posts* 424 Last 5/14/09
To caljeanmid [Msg # 16401.3 16401.2 ]

Cal:

Those are all great tips. I also check to make sure last years screens are still intact. We have had critters climb in when they are loosened. We often think - its done and never get back to it until something happens.

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#4 of 9 Posted 5/5/08 7:55 PM

From crabbymaddy2005 Posts 1 Last 5/6/08
To Darlah PotechinADM [Msg # 16401.4 16401.1 ] (Unread)*

Home owners should consider doing projects on their own, rather than hiring professionals. I think often times homeowners think they could never take on major home improvements tasks themselves. When my husband said that he wanted to lay tile throughout our entire house rather than hire the pros, I have to admit, I cringed. He had no expeirence with tile laying what-so ever. I outright told him he could not do it., and that we were going to end up with a bigger job on our hands in the long run. I ate my words. He did an excellent job. People that visit our home cannot believe that he did it himself. When we consulted professional tile installers they wanted nearly 3 times the amount of the cost of the tile to lay it. A job that would have cost us upwards of $10,000 cost about 3,000. Labor is very expensive. It is a big job, so I see why, however if it means the difference between being able to afford the job or not, maybe you can do it yourself. Home depot offers classes, and there are many do it yourself project books you can buy for all kinds of home improvements. My husband went on to renovate the master bath to include a jacuzzi tub. He has also hung drywall, done some plumbing, installed all new appliances in the kitchen including a built in oven, Fenced the backyard in himself, and many other things. He is planning to install all new kitchen cabinets himself next month.

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#5 of 9 Posted 5/5/08 8:25 PM

From Darlah2 Posts 12 Last Nov-21
To crabbymaddy2005 [Msg # 16401.5 16401.4 ]

Well then you get the hubby that tries and really is the worst handyman ever. :-) Glad yours turned out so well!

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#6 of 9 Posted 5/6/08 7:09 AM

From Mike K. Posts 585 Last Nov-23
To crabbymaddy2005 [Msg # 16401.6 16401.4 ]

You are very fortunate to have a husband that is so ambitious and skilled, most are not. <g>

Mike

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#7 of 9 Posted 5/23/08 1:46 PM

From Martha Posts 96 Last Jul-9
To Darlah PotechinADM [Msg # 16401.7 16401.1 ] (Unread)*

Why do Americans feel that they have to "upgrade" their kitchens in the first place. I can see doing that if you need more space, or a new counter top to replace that old beat up one, or even to make space for needed new appliances, but I really think that if we are to care about our environment, we should not replace nearly as many kitchens. It's so often all about status and marketing. I am not saying this about truly unattracative, worn down or ill designed kitchens, but who are we to feel that we have the right to use up valuable resources just to keep up with the Joneses?

I think that future generations will judge us for carelessly using resources that should have been left alone, or for the trash we dump onto this planet.

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#8 of 9 Posted 5/23/08 11:57 PM

From bwxlb Posts 1 Last 5/23/08
To Martha [Msg # 16401.8 16401.7 ]

Right On !

Too many people are worried about the Joneses!

My husband and I are redoing the kitchen. It has not been redone in thirty some years. The cabinets are way up on the ceiling. The bottom shelf is 5 feet 7 and 1/2 inches from the floor.To reach the bottom cabinet, I have to extend my are all the way out. To reach the top shelf I have to stand on the counter. I am 55 years old. This is a safety hazard. We intend to redo the doors on the cabinets and lower the cabinets we have. We try to stretch every dollar and not waste. We are not doing this to keep up with any one. This is being redone so that i can reach my dishes.

Any way, as fast as they come out with new styles, you can barely finish one project before it is out of style.

Thank you

Lynette of Clarksville

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#9 of 9 Posted 5/24/08 10:55 AM

From Martha Posts 96 Last Jul-9
To bwxlb [Msg # 16401.9 16401.8 ] (Unread)

Thanks for your reply. I hope that the cabinets can be adjusted the way you need them. I am older than you and appreciate anything that saves my body some wear and tear <gggg>!

Remember those glorious days when it never occured to anyone (except a few) that they had to worrry that their cabinets, counter, floors were out of date? My goodness! No one ever talked like that! You worried a bit about the condition of your kitchen wallpaper and paint and if the floor was shabby - well these things needed some attention now and then. Your appliances were certainly not status symbols, either.

I believe that most people are unaware of the fact that (IMO) this is all due to marketing. We get Home Depot ads, home improvement shows and ads and also real estate ads about the so-called desirable new kitchens and baths.

(I grew up in a large old Victorian New England style house. The kitchen cabinets were made of beautifully produced white heavy metal cabinets in the early to mid 1950's. In a timeless design. They served our large family so well until our mother died and the house was sold in 2000. Wish I had those cabinets in my house here, but our kitchen is already done.

It is really awful, and I would even use the word "disgusting" how we Americans and industrialized nations feel we have to buy, buy buy and show off all over the place with new stuff.

It's bad in all ways.

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