The time of year of barbecuing and sunbathing has once again arrived. Summer always brings with it the joys of spending time outside and entertaining guests at your home. We always want to be sure that our home is showing its best and ready for said activities. Whether your budget is large or small, use the following as ways you can not only raise the value of your home but also prepare your home for the coming warm months.
Simple, extremely effective, and budget-friendly. Power washing is a great way to make that stained stone patio or moss-covered driveway look like new. This is also a great option as a DIY project (Do it yourself) to save yourself some money. For the same amount or cheaper than what you would pay for a job such as this, you are able to purchase an affordable and fully capable power washer that you will then be able to utilize on projects over and over again.
As stated in previous blogs, making sure you receive a good ROI (Return on investment) on your home improvement projects is a must. A fresh paint job or paint touch-ups are a great way to accomplish this along with getting your home looking great for the season. Utilize a professional for larger projects while handling the smaller touch-ups yourself with your family. The cost makes it a great option for dramatic results without drawing too much out of your budget. Best of all, future changes in your home’s aesthetics simply require a fresh coat!
With the pleasant weather during the season, you most likely will be spending a significant amount of time on your deck. Refinishing, staining, or replacing the surface will make it much more comfortable to spend time there along with increasing the lifespan. Additionally, it will give the deck a brand-new look in whichever color or tone you choose. If you don’t have a deck, heading into the summer months is a great time to consider adding one to your home as they are ideal places for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors. Hot tip, adding a pergola to cover the new deck is a trending combination that many homeowners are employing.
Of course, some new landscaping will only add to the pleasure of spending time on your new or revamped deck. Initial tasks such as cleaning up leaves from the past fall/winter along with weeding flower beds will make a huge difference. Follow those tasks by planting flowers, herbs, or small shrubs. The greater variety of plants that you are able to include will only increase the character of the yard. Don’t neglect the lawn itself! Fertilize and reseed so you get that lush green grass that will tie all areas of the landscape together.
Not the most romantic of summer home improvement projects, but one that is crucial for your home's upkeep. Gutters funneling water away from your home’s foundation is the main reason for looking after their upkeep. With the increased likely hood of heavy rains during spring and summer, it is essential to ensure that your gutters are clear of debris. Be very careful if taking on this task yourself reviewing ladder safety before starting. If hiring a professional, get multiple bids as there is a tendency for this task to be highly overcharged.
With putting your AC into use for the season, prior to possible problems arising, have an HVAC contractor come to service your system. This will most likely include basic upkeep such as changing filters and cleaning ducts. Annual maintenance of the system will greatly improve its life span and efficiency and save you significant money in the long run. While not necessary, when scheduling general maintenance of one system such as HVAC, you may consider having all the major systems that run your house checked. For instance, having a plumber or electrician come out is a way to increase the life span of their respective assets.
The cooling of your home will only be as efficient as is your home’s ability to hold that cool air. The temperate climate of the season makes for an ideal time to inspect and replace any drafty windows that are not allowing your home to hold temperature. Once completed, you should save money from reduced energy costs along with enjoying the updated aesthetics.
Costing you nothing along with yielding great results, cleaning out unused items from your home is a great way to give a fresh feel to spaces that may be less used during the colder months. You can either donate these items to charity or find a way to sell them for some extra money that can then be put towards further home improvement projects!
Hopefully, these recommendations give you some useful tips about how to get your home ready for the summer months.
Want more insight into how RessaBuilt can help you transform your home? Check out the informative articles on our blog, or contact us to get your own home remodeling project started.