Any homeowner knows that a home is more than just a house. For most of us, our homes are a reflection of ourselves, our families and our histories, full of memories and promise for the future.
Home improvement can be one of the best investments of time, effort or money that you make. A good home improvement job can extend the life of your home, increase its value and enhance its appearance, as well as keep you, your family and your belongings safe and protected. Easy which to improve your home include installing roller shutters, plantation shutters or having your roof restored.
A home improvement job can also be a big headache if not done properly – it pays to do your research. If you don’t feel comfortable that you have the skills and experience for DIY, hire a professional to do it for you. It might cost a little more upfront, but it will save you a great deal of trouble and potentially protect you from costly future repairs.
Home improvement can take many forms – in any rooms, in the backyard or on the roof. Here are a few general home improvement tips to get you started:
- When doing interior home improvement in multiple rooms, plan ahead to work in one area at a time so you create the least disruption to your home.
- For messy jobs, buy or borrow some plastic sheeting or use old bed sheets to protect your floors and furnishings.
- Aim to work on your home improvement job at a time when you know the local hardware store will be open – even the most organised DIY-ers often realise they have forgotten something crucial when they are halfway through a job.
- Keep some phone numbers of a few trusted tradespeople on hand in case you run into a major problem and need some professional help.
- It probably goes without saying, but if you have small children, keep them well away from power tools.
- Familiarise yourself with the procedure for turning off gas, water and electricity to your home in case of emergencies.