Tag Archives: diy

Jan2

8 DIY Projects That Should Always Be Left To The Pros

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8 DIY Projects That Should Always Be Left To The Pros

DIY projects can be a great way to save money and get hands-on with home renovations. However, some DIY projects should only be attempted by the average homeowner with professional help. The projects below take a lot of skill and knowledge to be completed safely so leave these to the professionals in your area:

Electrical Wiring:

Amateur electrical work is not only dangerous, but it can also lead to costly mistakes down the line if done incorrectly. It is important to leave any wiring issues in your home to an electrician certified by your local government or corresponding trade association who knows exactly how to address your issue correctly and safely.

Plumbing Work:

Home plumbing repairs can quickly become complicated and expensive when done wrong, so it’s best not to meddle with them yourself. Instead, to avoid costly mistakes, always hire a certified plumber to handle any plumbing repairs in your home.

Foundation Repairs:

While minor foundation issues can be fixed on a DIY basis using kits available at most hardware stores, more serious damage should never be attempted without qualified help. Always contact a professional contractor specializing in foundation repair if you suspect your home suffers from significant structural damage.

Roofing Work:

The simple fact is that roofing work is dangerous. Leaving it to the pros will ensure the safety of anyone attempting to do repairs or maintenance on their roof. Professionals are also better equipped to assess potential problems and provide lasting solutions.

Installing Floors:

Installing floors can be a difficult and tedious task, requiring special tools and skills to do it properly. Can you imagine almost finishing a hardwood project to realize you didn’t line things up as well as you thought? Yikes!

Installing Siding or Windows:

Installing siding or windows is a precise and intricate process. Attempting to take on this task yourself will almost certainly result in costly mistakes that could cause major damage to your home. Always leave this job to professionals who have the necessary tools and know-how to get the job done right and safely.

Installing Insulation:

Improperly installed insulation can lead to energy loss and higher utility bills, not to mention a risk of fire. Hire an experienced contractor specializing in installing insulation to ensure your home is properly insulated and safe from potential hazards.

Gas Line Repairs:

Gas lines should never be worked on by a DIYer. Even the slightest mistake could cause a catastrophic accident that would be far more expensive than just hiring an expert in the first place. Leave gas line repairs to certified professionals who know exactly how to safely and correctly handle any problems with your gas line.

For any DIY project you’re considering, make sure you weigh the risks of attempting it yourself versus hiring a professional. Professional contractors have the training and expertise needed to handle complex home improvement tasks correctly and safely, so the extra cost will be well worth the peace of mind.

Featured Image By: Annie Gray on Unsplash

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Oct8

Top Tips For Renovating Your House On a Budget

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Top Tips For Renovating Your House On a Budget

Research reveals that home remodeling searches have more than doubled, especially between 2020 and 2021. Renovating your home can be exciting, but it also requires a lot of planning to make it successful. One major challenge during house renovations is how to make changes while staying within budget. Let’s explore some ideas of how to achieve your renovation goals while being budget friendly:

Have a plan:

One of the most crucial things you’ll need to do to keep renovation costs low is to have a well thought out strategy and follow it as closely as possible. It’s best to draw up a budget before you start renovating to give you an idea of the items you need to prioritize. Doing this will also guide you in comparing prices before you buy any materials for the renovations so you can identify the ones that work best for you. If your budget is stretched thin, you can choose to do the renovations gradually instead of doing everything at once.

Planning will also help you set realistic timelines to achieve your renovation plans. It will also help you prepare for unforeseen circumstances that may delay your project, such as unavailability of materials, longer time to finish a particular aspect of the renovations, and so on.

Research:

Researching is necessary for the renovation of your home. It will inform your decision on the items you need for your project. Conducting thorough research will also help you know if you’ll need to bring any professionals on board to assist you and identify the best options available. If you’re in or around the Putnam County area and need to replace some doors and windows in your home, you can start preparing for it by researching here.

Get creative with your exterior:

You can think about adding a few touches to your exterior to make it more inviting without breaking the bank. You can do this by repainting your door or replacing the doorknobs and hinges. You may also consider exploring colors that complement your home’s interior for maximum effect. Small changes can make a world of difference!

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 ^^^ Pexels Image

Explore DIY tricks:

Home renovations can provide the perfect opportunity to test your DIY skills. To save money, you can consider performing less demanding tasks yourself, like painting the walls. Apart from that, doing the work yourself gives you the chance to be hands on in making your renovation dream a reality, leading to a sense of fulfillment. So, why not challenge yourself and identify which aspects of the renovation you can do? Remember to be safety conscious by wearing the right safety gear and reading instructions to prevent injuries.

The above tips will make your renovations as rewarding as possible without taking a huge toll on your finances. Enjoy your dream home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct3

Revamp Your Yard For Spooky Season

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Revamp Your Yard For Spooky Season

Spooky season is in full swing and what better way to pay homage to the best time of the year than in your own yard?! Sure, your house might be full of Halloween decor like mine but the outside is just as important to set all of the vibes come trick-or-treat night. At least, I sure think so, especially because I so wish that I had a yard to decorate! Let’s look at some fun projects to revamp your yard just in time for Halloween:

Decor Galore:

How cool would it be to have a front yard filled with twinkling orange lights, fake bats hanging from the trees, and zombies poking up from the ground? While you don’t have to go crazy with giant inflatables or twenty foot skeletons, a little decor goes a long way. Fake cobwebs, home made jack-o-lanterns, and makeshift ghosts in the trees works just as well!

Better yet, so many of the DIY aspects of Halloween decorating can be done as a family. You could make a bunch of creepy spiders by tracing your hands on cardboard or silly ghosts by sticking your feet in some paint. And, of course, there’s nothing better than a pumpkin carving night while watching all of your favorite scary flicks.

Autumnal Landscaping:

Mum is the word and you can purchase tons of glorious flowers to add some colorful cheer during the day. This is also another great activity to do as a family, perhaps by making a trip to your local pumpkin patch for some potted flowers? What’s more, you could paint jack-o-lantern faces on them for all of the fun of pumpkin carving without the pulpy mess!

Don’t forget to make the most of all of the fallen leaves adorning your yard too. They could easily be turned into garlands to hang around your door or porch railing. Add some fake cobwebs and you can’t go wrong. Or, just have a leaf jumping competition and warm up with some hot chocolate afterwards.

If you’re crunched for time or have no green thumb to be found (And, no, Frankenstein green paint on your hands doesn’t count!), then you could hire a reliable landscaping company that delivers great results. You can even consult with them to turn your yard into the ultimate autumn oasis.

Trick-Or-Treat Tips:

Arguably one of the most fun parts of Halloween is seeing all of the adorable costumes come trick-or-treat night. Rather than answering a ringing doorbell all evening, how about setting up shop outside? My husband and I plan on doing this in my parent’s neighborhood! We will have a crackling fire and the Monster Mash playing on repeat, obviously.

You don’t have to stop there, though! You could host a neighborhood costume contest or set up a scavenger hunt in your freshly decorated yard. Expertly placed pine cones, mini pumpkins, and fake spiders could all be things to find. The prize? Extra candy! If you don’t have a fire pit, be sure to place lots of twinkling or floodlights around your property so everyone can find their way!

One of my favorite things about spooky season is all of the great outdoor decorations. Turn your yard into one that would make me stop and stare and have the best time!

Jul27

Simple Ways To Make Your Outdoor Space Better

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Simple Ways To Make Your Outdoor Space Better

Getting and taking care of your dream backyard is a lot of work. If your space looks a little unloved, try making some of these easy to do improvements. You’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space in no time:

Have A Deck Or Patio:

When designing a backyard, you may be struggling to come up with ideas, but the best ones feature “areas.” Begin by creating an area where you can sit back and take in the scenery. In the summer, a deck or patio is a wonderful location to relax and take advantage of the beautiful weather. Additionally, if you ever decide to sell your house, the average return on investment for a deck addition is between 67 and 72 percent.

Enjoy Outdoor Living:

Now that you have a patio or deck area, you need to fill it with things to use. Depending on the patio furniture you choose, you can have a lovely dinner under the sky with a bench and table set or pop open a beer and relax in a lounger. If you want a “living room” outside, for example, choose a sofa, chairs, and a coffee table. Or you could have a kitchen outside. There are a lot of choices, so it’s a good idea to browse an outdoor living store for inspiration.

Lay A Stone Pathway:

A stone path from your patio or deck to your new dining area gives your landscape some charm and texture. There are a lot of different designs, from brick and gravel to natural stone and mosaic stones. This is one of the more challenging backyard upgrades that add value, so choose the type that fits your style and level of DIY home improvement skill the best.

Add A Gateway:

By putting arbors at the entrance to your backyard, you can make it feel like a summer oasis for your guests. Think about putting your favorite flowers or creepers on the arbors to give them a personal touch. Add a few trellises if you want to make your yard more private. This is one of the best and cheapest ways to landscape your backyard.

Use The Shade:

Pergolas are great additions to a backyard because they make a unique space, gives you privacy, and keeps you cool in the summer, thanks to the shade they provide. Plus, they look elegant in a well kept garden with beautiful climbing plants and vines.

Add Lighting:

Installing patio string lights is an excellent do-it-yourself project. It’s simple to install and a lot of fun to use in your garden. Pergolas, gates, and trees can all benefit from hanging lights over them to create a nighttime gathering spot that your guests will adore just as much as you do.

Buy A Fire Pit:

A fire pit might be the best thing to add. Not only will you be able to roast marshmallows during the long summer evenings, but when the hot weather begins to fade, the warmth of the fire will take you into fall. Also, this is one of the easiest things you can do to improve the value of your home in your backyard.

Turn your backyard into the place to be with these ideas. Yourself and your guests will be sad to go indoors!

Featured Image By: Tom Swinnen

Apr11

Home Improvement Ideas To Try Next

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Home Improvement Ideas To Try Next

The use of social media DIY accounts is addictive, and many of us have wished to begin DIY home improvement tasks. Some DIY projects are successful, while others are not. However, enhancing your home is something we should all focus on at some time in our lives because it is our foundation; elements like security and decor should be updated on a regular basis. Here are a few suggestions to add to your next project to do list to make your home look even better:

Wall Paneling:

Wall paneling is a cost-effective technique to add luxury to a room. This is something that you can accomplish yourself pretty easily, but it is also something that skilled decorators can achieve in no time. It’s a small thing, but it makes a great difference. Providing paneling to your walls before painting them offers an air of sophistication to the space while also adding a lot of character. It’s not expensive because it’s only a few pieces of wood that you adhere to the wall and then paint over. It gives the room personality and serves as a wonderful conversation starter when visitors arrive.

Roof Renovations:

The most crucial element of your home is the roof, yet many homeowners are unsure how to pay for it. Fortunately, there are credit options available for many types of roofs and budgets. Roof financing is a great way to make sure your roof is doing what it needs to if you are on a budget. It’s critical that it looks amazing while still performing its functions, like insulating the home to keep heat from escaping during the colder months.

Having a beautiful roof not only looks fantastic, but also prevents problems that might occur from not having a decent roof in place. If you don’t have a proper roof, it might lead to leaks and mold growth, which can be hazardous to human health.

A Surprise Room:

Let’s face it, we’re all a little envious when a secret room comes out of nowhere in a movie. It’s not difficult to incorporate into your home if you have a good handyman or professional on hand. Make a secret hideaway room or a Narnia style playroom for your kids if you have a spare room that isn’t used often or is only being used for storage. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is to replace the door with a disguised hinged bookcase. As a result, it will open like a door, but when shut, it will resemble a bookshelf, and no one will have a clue. How cool is that?!

Whenever you’re planning your next home renovation projects, consider these ideas to make your house the ultimate place to be!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb9

Efficiently Renovating Your Home

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Efficiently Renovating Your Home

The winter is an ideal time to work on home renovations because, chances are, you’re going to be home a lot more often as opposed to when the weather is nice. Despite seemingly endless time until the temperatures warm up in the spring, it’s important to work efficiently on your projects to make the space functional for you and your family. Let’s look at some ways that you can make your renovation process smoother:

Make Your Plan:

Before you can begin any type of project, you must plan accordingly. Making and changing decisions once the project is underway will only slow you down so having a game plan is essential. What do you want accomplished? Are you going to complete the project yourself or hire someone? What supplies do you need? Will the renovation work with your budget? Once you have answers to all of these questions and then some is when you can actually begin the work.

One Stop Shopping:

Time is of the essence with renovations and you don’t want to spend several days at a million different stores to get everything you need. Choosing the Marshalltown building supplies is a good idea. Or any other home supply store in your area. Have a list at the ready so you can get in and out. Although you might not get absolutely everything in just one store, it can be a great first start to get the initial process going.

Create A Schedule:

Once you have workers on board or your supplies ready, create a schedule and try to stick to it as strictly as possible. Even if you are doing the renovation by yourself, it’s still a job and should be treated as such. Have an end date to complete everything by in mind and plan your days accordingly to achieve it. Taking lots of breaks is all well and good until you get stuck on a tedious part and your end date gets pushed back.

Know Your Limits:

DIY is awesome and there are tasks that almost anyone can complete like painting the room or assembling furniture. However, people without all of the proper know how will find themselves in trouble pretty quickly when it comes to more skill based work like plumbing and electrics. A home renovation project is not the time to just “give it a try” it’s a time to do, so know your limitations. Saving money with things that you can do is great but a DIY gone wrong will end up costing you way more in the long run.

With the pandemic and cold winter weather, we are all at home a lot right now. Renovating your space efficiently with the tips above will turn your home into an even better place to be!

Jan3

6 DIY Gift Ideas Your Mom Will Love

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6 DIY Gift Ideas Your Mom Will Love

When it comes to our moms, sometimes the DIY route is the best way to go for gift giving occassions. It’s unique, personalized, and allows your gift to stand out from the rest. There’s nothing like a homemade present to show how much you care. From making her favorite dessert (or breakfast) to painting an old frame with some new family photos, these DIY gift ideas will have any mother feeling loved:

Make a personalized gift with her favorite things:

The best gift you can give your mom is a personalized present tailored just for her. Make sure to include all of her favorite things. This could be anything from accessories, food, or clothes and it will make the perfect way of showing how much she means to you.

Cozy Accessories:

DIY clothing is an excellent gift this winter season. Whether it’s something as simple as a blanket scarf or going all out with some matching gloves for extra warmth, she will appreciate the effort that went into making these handcrafted gifts. You can also gift her with patterned wrap dresses since they’re practical and stylish enough that she can wear them for casual events or vacation trips.

DIY a flower arrangement:

Motherhood has always been synonymous with springtime and flowers as they both represent life and fertility. Flowers also represent beauty and grace, things we associate with our own mothers. Here are some simple tips on how you can easily arrange flowers for your mom:

The flowers should be fresh and fragrant with colors that represent your mom and coordinate well with her house. Choose what type of container size works best: vases, bowls, or pots and fill them accordingly so they don’t overflow when watering them. Use either potting soil/manure mix which is rich in nutrients because these types can hold more moisture than just sand. And, don’t forget to pair them with her favorite chocolates!

Create a photo collage:

Moms have a special place in their hearts for memories they’ve made with the family over the years. Creating a photo collage is an excellent way to make sure that she knows how much she means to you. She will surely love this gift. Buy a photo album or make one yourself and choose photos that would make her recall all of the happy times you’ve spent together.

Make a scrapbook:

Scrapbooking is a great hobby and makes a thoughtful gift, too. Write down some of your favorite memories together and create something that will last forever, turning it into a keepsake for both you and even for future generations of your family.

Homemade cookies, brownies, or other sweets:

If you’re looking for the perfect gift, look no further than these delicious treats. Cookies and other sweet treats are excellent gifts for your mom if she has a sweet tooth. For starters, try this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe:

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ¾ cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup coconut oil (refined, melted)
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 4 oz vegan chocolate chunks or chips
  • 4 oz vegan dark chocolate

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together the sugars, salt, and coconut oil in a large bowl
  2. Pour in the non-dairy milk and vanilla, and whisk until the batter is smooth and all sugar has dissolved
  3. Sift in the baking soda and the flour
  4. Mix with a spatula
  5. Pour in the chocolate chunks
  6. Put the dough in the freezer for at least 30 minutes
  7. Preheat oven to 180C or 350F
  8. Scoop the dough into cookie bits using a spoon or ice cream scoop and put it onto a baking sheet until golden brown.

There are so many ways to DIY a present for mom that she’ll love, but the best ones will be personal and from the heart like the ideas above!

Dec7

Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

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Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

Whether you’re planning on prepping your home for winter or updating your home to make it bigger and more comfortable for you and your family, you know you can’t just pull out a drill and get started. A home renovation is a substantial project that demands plenty of care and planning. If you don’t know every step of the process, you might end up realizing that it won’t work right now. So, before you pull on your safety goggles, here is some advice for where to start when planning a renovation at home:

Decide Which Room Is Most Important:

Before you do anything, you should get an idea about which room requires the most attention. Many people begin with the room they use the most, which research shows is the kitchen, but this can also cause disruptions that make it impossible to use the room at all.

Other common rooms to start in are the living room, bathroom, and your bedroom, especially as you can usually make adjustments to the living situation while they are under renovation. However, you might consider these rooms perfect already, so it’s best to focus on anywhere that isn’t up to the same standard.

Your dining room, spare bedrooms, or even hallways might not match the decor you’ve established elsewhere, so focus on these to ensure that everything matches.

Consider the Total Cost (And How You’ll Pay):

It’s no secret that a home renovation costs a lot of money, especially if you want it done right the first time. So, consider how much it will cost and how you will pay for it before you get on the phone with contractors or materials suppliers.

Anyone who has done a renovation before will tell you that it will always cost more than your budget, so make allowances for this. Once you have decided which room needs the renovation the most, you can get an inspector to visit and check for any issues so you can budget accurately.

When your budget is established, consider the different ways to pay for the work, whether you want to take out a loan or pay everything upfront.

Decide Between DIY or Contractors:

The final step is to consider whether you will do it yourself or bring in professional contractors. Although DIY can save money in the short term, it could cost you more later as inexperienced DIYers can make mistakes that require repairs.

There are also some parts of the home where contractors are essential. If you’re working with electricity, gas, or water, professional services like Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo are more reliable than attempting the work yourself.

It’s best to do your homework and search for reputable companies. You can also shop around to get the best deal and consider which work you’re capable of doing yourself and what you should leave to the professionals.

A home renovation is a fantastic way to make your home safer and accommodate a growing family. It can take a lot of time and hard work, but as long as you remember these important factors, you will have no trouble planning a renovation that you will love.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct5

3 Ways To Find Your Forever Home

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3 Ways To Find Your Forever Home

Most people hope to settle down in their forever home one day but finding or creating your dream home isn’t as simple as we’d like it to be. However, it’s not impossible. Whether you’re looking for a place to raise a family, to work hard, or simply relax away from the hustle and bustle of life, you can create a haven with a few different methods:

Improve What You Have:

The simplest way to find a forever home is to use what you already have. If you own a house and you’re happy with your current location, you may be able to transform it into your dream home. A property is an investment, so it can take time and money to renovate your house. If you need space, then consider adding an extension or converting the attic or basement for an extra room or two. If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of outside space or if you have some undeveloped land nearby, then you can spruce it up and add it to your property.

Often, you simply need to work through your house on a room-by-room basis and renovate each one. A change of furniture and updated decorations can make everything feel brand new.

Shop Around:

Many people don’t own a home or, if they do, it isn’t where they’d like to live in the long term. If this is the case, then it’s never too early to start looking. Research the areas that you’d like to move to and find out about nearby work and amenities. Spend some time there, but bear in mind that a place might feel very different when you’re on vacation.

Once you’re in a position to make the move, then you should find a reputable real estate agent to help you to find your dream home. By now, you should know what you want and need from the property. While you might see some stunning properties with plenty of potential, be ruled by your head rather than your heart. Something that needs a lot of work before it’s habitable can become a money pit. Also, be flexible and remember that the perfect property might not be available. If you need to, wait a little longer rather than getting tied to a poor investment.

Do It Yourself:

Sometimes, the best way to find your dream home is to build it yourself. Or, more realistically, get someone to build it for you. A company that specializes in custom home building can help you to design and create your ideal house.

Building your own home gives you a great opportunity to be a part of every aspect of the build, so you can better control the layout, materials, and fixtures. If you want something unique, then this may be a better choice than trying to turn an existing home into something completely different.

Consider all of your must haves and would like to haves prior to house hunting to save yourself some time and good luck!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Sep21

DIY Projects For Your Home

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DIY Projects For Your Home

If you are handy, completing DIY projects in your home is a great way to get creative and save some money. This is especially nice as the holiday season is fast approaching and there are gifts that need purchasing! Today, we are going to discuss some DIY projects that range from a beginner skill set to advanced to spruce up your home and fatten your wallet. Let’s get to it:

Painting:

Of course, you can hire a professional house painter but you can also do it yourself! From painting your house to freshening up a couple of rooms, completing a painting project on your own can be lots of fun. You can get creative with the colors and patterns that you choose and you can even turn it into an event. Gather some friends and have a painting party. Music, pizza, and a movie night afterwards will turn a chore into an absolute blast.

Painting doesn’t just have to be limited to rooms and the exterior of your house. If your walls are looking bare, try your hand at painting your own unique artwork to hang up. You can watch tutorials on YouTube or attend a Paint Night with friends to help you get inspired.

Refurbishing:

Refurbishing old and used furniture is an awesome way to save money and even make money if you’d like to sell your completed pieces on the side. It is also eco-friendly as you can purchase used pieces from a secondhand store and give them a whole new life. From sanding and painting to upholstering and adding on to the existing piece, there are lots of possibilities based on your skill level. You will end up with a one of a kind table or chairs that no one else in the world will have.

Landscaping:

If you have a green thumb, landscaping projects could be the DIY for you. Hiring a landscaping company to do it for you is easy but doing it yourself will be so much more rewarding! You could build your own raised planters, make a fountain out of terracotta pots, or simply lay down that mulch that you have been meaning to do for forever. Spending time outdoors is so good for your mental health and is even better when you are with friends. Garden party, anyone?

While your DIY skills may not be HGTV worthy, it never hurts to try something new. Who knows, you might just end up finding your new favorite hobby!