by Taha E.H | Aug 1, 2022 | Protecting Your Home
Set your home improvement project up for success by avoiding these common mistakes.
The best moment of any home improvement project is the big reveal at the end. After all that work, time, and inconvenience, you finally get to see the beautiful outcome of your patience.
But that moment is hardly a magical one if you’re disappointed with the results. Unfortunately, people make the same five mistakes over and over when planning a home improvement project. And in the end, they pay for it.
Here are five missteps to avoid when planning your own improvements:
Mistake #1: Hiring a handyman instead of a licensed contractor.
A handyman makes for a charming sitcom character. But when you’re hiring someone for your own home, you’re better off with a licensed contractor. That license guarantees a certain level of experience and qualification, which can protect you from problems and disappointment. When you’re choosing a contractor, always ask about a license.
Mistake #2: Choosing a family friend as your contractor.
It’s tempting to choose someone you already know to lead your home improvement project. But there are significant downsides to relying on a friend or family member.
It can be much harder to push back if you’re not happy with their work or a recommendation they made. And if the project starts running behind, it can be awkward to confront them about the delays. The best way to protect your relationship is to just hire a general contractor based on recommendations from friends.
Mistake #3: Hiring a contractor based on price alone.
There are smart ways to save money on a home improvement project. But when it comes to general contractors, you get what you pay for.
In general, cheap contractors have far less experience, which can turn into mistakes and disappointments. Plus, inexperienced contractors have fewer relationships with great subcontractors. You can’t count on getting the best of the best for every step of the project.
If you choose your contractor based on the price tag alone, you’re more likely to be disappointed with their work. So do your research and find someone trustworthy with experience, knowledge, and good references. It’s a worthwhile investment.
Mistake #4: Not getting a written contract.
This is an incredibly common mistake, especially among people hiring a home improvement contractor for the first time. If you get started on a project with just a handshake, there’s a lot of room for things to fall apart. There’s no way to settle disagreements, and you can end up with something totally different than you asked for.
A contract is a legal document that clearly outlines the scope of work, price, and payment schedule. The contract holds both parties accountable, so it’s in both your and your contractor’s best interests to have one. You can always hire an attorney to help draft one. But a good contractor will usually have a template you can start with.
Mistake #5: Thinking you can do it yourself.
Between Pinterest, home improvement shows, and YouTube, the DIY spirit has never been stronger. And while there are many projects you truly can do yourself, it’s vital to know your own limits. It’s one thing to paint your own bedroom. It’s quite another to tinker with your own plumbing.
You need to be extremely honest with yourself about what you can do, for two big reasons:
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- Safety. There’s virtually no limit to the dangers of excess boldness when you’re striving to DIY. You could fall off a ladder, hurt someone with a power saw, or touch the wrong wire while doing electrical work. Now is not the time to choose bravery over safety.
Set yourself up for a successful home improvement project.
Protect the magic of your big reveal by making smart choices every step of the way. Do your research, hire a professional, and get a contract. Your good decisions will make the final product much, much sweeter.
Need some help finding a contractor? The team at THI can help >
by Taha E.H | Jul 30, 2022 | Projects
Simple upgrades can transform your home and attract more potential buyers.
Selling your home can be an overwhelming process. There’s so much conflicting—and expensive!—advice on how to maximize the staging process. But you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars and months of your life preparing to sell.
Today, we’re sharing five simple, easy, and affordable upgrades you can make in a short period of time. These practical upgrades can contribute meaningfully to how buyers perceive your home—and the sale price.
Get rid of clutter.
Did you know you can boost your home’s value by up to 5% just by clearing out clutter? That’s hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in your pocket, just by tidying up.
Creating a whole-house declutter can be daunting. Take it room by room. Remove unnecessary furniture and accessories, clear surfaces, and clean out closets, the basement, and the garage.
Here are a few guides to get you started:
Check for stains and smells.
We’re all guilty of becoming a little nose blind in our own homes. But a buyer will definitely notice a musty odor (or worse, especially if you have pets). Ask a trusted friend to come over and sniff around. Address any aromas they notice.
Look closely for stains too. Be especially observant in the bathroom and kitchen, where spills and moisture are common. Check the toilets for rings and residue. Make sure showers and bathrooms are sparkling clean. Check walls and surfaces around the stove for grease and food spatters. Get down on your hands and knees to look under the oven and fridge for crumbs.
Upgrade the fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Vintage drawer pulls may be charming, but old faucets and showerheads can put off a lot of buyers. Thankfully, updating those fixtures can totally transform the look of your bathrooms and kitchen. And it costs much less than replacing cabinetry and flooring.
Check out your local hardware store or shop online for more modern options. Make sure you strive for a cohesive look that matches the rest of your home. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you might consider replacing door knobs and cabinet hardware, too. It’s cheaper than a major renovation and still makes a big difference.
Think about your home’s curb appeal.
A neat and tidy home with an attractive yard is a big draw for potential buyers. But you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars in landscaping to make a great impression. Just cover the basics:
- Mow the lawn and clear off any debris.
- Clean out the gutters.
- Sweep leaves, twigs, and detritus off the driveway and the sidewalk.
- Get rid of any dead plants or weeds in the garden beds. You might consider planting some fresh flowers if the weather’s nice.
One other idea: Paint your front door!
Find creative ways to make the rooms look bigger.
It just takes a few little tricks to make your house feel brighter and more expansive. The most obvious one is a strategically placed mirror. Mirrors amplify the light in a room by bouncing it around to more surfaces. Plus, mirrors can create the illusion of more space. Don’t overdo it, of course, but think about adding a few attractive mirrors to key spaces.
Light colors can have the same effect. If you’re thinking about repainting anyway, consider a lighter shade for an airy vibe.
And don’t be afraid to experiment with layout. Move your furniture around a little and see if you can achieve a more inviting look. These little touches can totally change how a potential buyer will perceive the space.
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A few simple staging hacks are all it takes to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. So get a pad of paper and start brainstorming how you might apply these ideas to your home.
by Taha E.H | Jul 4, 2022 | Projects
When it comes to outdoor space, there are many options to choose from. Pergolas and patio covers are especially popular here in Texas. But have you considered a screen room?
A screen room is, to be frank, exactly what it sounds like. It’s a fully furnished room, with a roof and a floor, with screens on all sides. It’s usually accessible via two doors: one leading into the house, and one leading into the backyard.
Today, we’re talking about why screen room additions are so great, so you can decide if you’d like to add one to your home.
Enjoy the best of both worlds.
Screen rooms combine the best things about a patio cover and a regular, indoor space. You can enjoy fresh air, warm temperatures, and a refreshing breeze while relaxing in a screen room. But you’re protected from bugs, debris, and the glare of the sun’s rays. It’s the beauty of the outdoors, with less interference from the harshness of the elements.
Cut down on maintenance
The sun, the rain, and other elements can take a toll on your outdoor furniture. Fabrics and pillows fade, decorative items get knocked over, and wet upholstery takes forever to dry. Plus, you’re constantly brushing off leaves, dust, and debris blown in by the wind.
A screen room can save you from all these frustrations. While screen rooms are not impervious to the elements, they do offer a lot of protection. Your screen room’s decorations and furniture will likely last much longer as a result. And you spend less time cleaning up after Mother Nature’s whims.
Enjoy the privacy
When it comes to optics, screen rooms are a little funny. It’s very easy to see out of them, but seeing into a screen room is difficult—especially during the day. This means one thing for you: Privacy.
If you want to enjoy your morning coffee and a nice breeze in your favorite robe, you can. If you want to kick back with a book in your rattiest weekend duds, you can. Your neighbors won’t be able to see much, so you can relax and enjoy the view—without being the view.
Better entertaining
Just like a porch or a pergola, a screened in room is a wonderful place for entertaining guests. You can use your screen room as the central location for intimate gatherings or spillover space for larger events. And there’s no need to worry about leaves falling into your friends’ drinks.
Boost your home’s resale value.
Investing in outdoor living spaces increases your property value, almost without exception. Beautiful outdoor spaces rank high on the wish list for people looking to buy a house. This is especially true in the age of COVID-19, when people are looking for new ways to enjoy their own homes. When you add a screen room, you can usually expect to recoup 70% to 80% of your investment when you sell your house.
Light up your life
Like patio covers, screen rooms are pretty much always an extension of your home. As a result, adding electricity to that space is fairly easy.
This can translate to some beautiful decor. You might consider a chandelier or twinkle lights. You can combat hot days with an overhead fan. And if you’re really feeling fancy, you can add a flat-screen TV for open-air movie nights.
Because everything is protected by a roof and screens, the risk of outdoor damage is pretty low.
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If you’re curious about a screen room, talk to the team at Texas Home Improvement. We can help you decide if you want one, or whether you’d like a patio cover or pergola instead. Our goal is to get you the outdoor space of your dreams. So let’s make it happen >
by Taha E.H | Jul 1, 2022 | Projects
A handy guide to prioritize your home improvement ROI dollars and get the biggest bang for your buck.
Did you know that you can often get your money back when it comes to home renovation projects?
It’s not quite simple. No one’s writing you a check when the paint dries. However, some projects boost the resale value of your home as much as you pay for them. In other words, you can count on a significant ROI when it’s time to sell.
Every year, Remodeling Magazine and other media outlets report the average ROI for a given house project. We did a little research to create this roundup of specific projects with great ROIs. So if you’re feeling unsure where to prioritize your home improvement dollars, this should give you a few ideas.
Landscaping: 100%.
Good landscaping can dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal—and resale value. This is especially true in the COVID-19 era when people enjoyed their home’s outdoor spaces more. As a result, people are willing to pay more for a beautiful yard and garden.
By landscaping, we don’t mean elaborate topiaries and a ten-foot fountain. People simply want tidy layouts, clean lines, and a few unique features. Fire pits, benches, and charming paths are a few ideas. If you want to get a little fancier, you might spend $1000 on a wood-fired pizza oven. No matter what you do, expect to enjoy an excellent ROI. The dollars you invest in your home’s exterior are almost always well spent.
Garage door replacement: Close to 100%.
A new garage door usually costs between $3000 and $4000. You’re likely to recoup almost every dollar when you sell your house.
Minor kitchen remodel: 80 to 98.5%
There’s virtually no limit to how much you can spend on a kitchen remodel. From premium appliances to luxury tile, the price tag can vary dramatically. But a minor kitchen remodel usually refers to about $20,000 of work. This might include new cabinets, countertops, or appliances, plus cosmetic changes, such as fresh paint. The ROI varies based on the upgrades and the market, but you’re likely to realize over 80%.
It’s worth noting that even major kitchen renovations promise pretty good ROI, around 91%. This is especially true if you focus on increasing square footage. Home buyers are very interested in spacious kitchens. So if you can knock out a wall or otherwise increase the space, your ROI may be even higher.
Adding an outdoor space: 70 to 90%.
Investing in outdoor space, such as a deck, a patio, or a screen room, is pretty much always a good idea. Here in Texas, especially, we love our pergolas!
The ROI on outdoor space depends largely on the material you use. Wood decks, for example, often have a slightly higher ROI than composite decks. However, composite decks tend to last much longer, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Replacing your front door: 75%—possibly much more.
It may sound unbelievable, but your front door can have an absolutely massive impact on your home’s resale value. Studies show that a good door color can increase buyers’ perception of a home by over $6000. Given the fact that a good door usually costs less than $1000, you might see an incredible return on that investment.
That being said, it’s also worth noting that a poor color choice can drive down the perceived value of a home. You can’t just pick a wacky color and hope for the best. According to Apartment Therapy, your best options are slate blue, olive green, and black. And be sure to think about contrast. A dark gray house with a black door isn’t going to make much of an impression. But a pop of slate blue can add a lot of tasteful pizzazz.
Another way to boost your curb appeal: Replace that old paint with something fresh. Exterior coating is a great, long lasting option that can actually lower your utility bill.
Window replacement: 70 to 90%.
The clean lines and beautiful appearance of new windows can make a huge difference in your home’s aesthetic appeal. But ROI on new windows can vary, mostly based on the materials you choose. Vinyl windows tend to yield a slightly higher ROI than those made of wood. It’s also worth noting that consumers are becoming more and more interested in energy efficient windows. Going for the greener option is likely to make your home more attractive to future buyers.
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Whether you’re ready to sell or settling in for many years, you can be smart about your home improvements. Call the experts at Texas Home Improvement to talk about your ideas and get help making the best decision. We can match you with a great contractor and help you choose the right options for your home.
by Taha E.H | Jun 3, 2022 | Roofing
Understanding how bad weather affects your roof can help prolong the life of your investment.
We’re lucky to enjoy long stretches of beautiful weather here in Texas. But non-Texans are sometimes surprised to hear that our climate can be pretty diverse. Texans are no strangers to extremes—and that can take a toll on our roofs.
Thankfully, you can protect your roofing system by knowing a little about how different weather events affect it. Then, when you know what to look for, you can stay on top of minor, inexpensive repairs. This can save you from the expense and hassle of a premature replacement.
We put together a brief guide on how different types of weather can affect your roof based on the climate here in Dallas-Fort Worth:
Sun and extreme heat
This is the big one here in Texas. The sun shines brighter and hotter in the Lonestar State.
And while most roofing materials will withstand many years of UV rays, they don’t last forever. As your roof reaches the end of its lifespan, shingles may grow brittle and weak. This can lead to drying, shrinkage, and cracks.
You can’t prevent sun damage, but it’s good to be mindful of it, especially after a scorching summer. If your roof is getting a little older, consider calling a roofing company to come take a look. They might be able to suggest a few small repairs or predict when it’s time for a complete replacement.
Strong wind
Believe it or not, Dallas-Fort Worth is technically part of Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley is a big chunk of the central United States prone to twisters than the coasts. So we’re not as vulnerable as the Great Plains, but we can see some windy days.
Strong winds can crack and loosen shingles or lift them right off your house. Even a tiny gap in your roof can leave your home vulnerable to the elements, especially rain. You risk significant moisture damage if a big storm rolls through and you’re short a few shingles.
Thankfully, roof tile replacement is usually a quick and inexpensive repair. Make a point to check out your roof after every windy day. Get it fixed right away if any of your shingles are damaged, out of place, or missing entirely. It can save you from much more costly repairs.
Heavy rain and moisture
There are many ways for moisture to make its way under your roof. Cracked, warped, or missing shingles make it easy for rain to seep in, which can cause a lot of problems. Moisture buildup can cause water damage to your home, which can be both expensive and dangerous.
The combination of moisture and heat poses another risk: Mold. Mold can cause severe damage to your home. In addition, certain types of mold can also trigger allergic reactions or other health issues.
Watch your ceilings and your attic for signs of moisture buildup. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to fix it.
Snow and ice
Compared to our friends up north, Texas winters are mild. But the temperature dropped to single digits in Dallas-Fort Worth during the Big Freeze of 2021. So it’s essential to be aware of how these things can affect your roof.
The primary risk associated with snow and ice is moisture damage. But there are some quirks to how that happens in cold temperatures.
During a prolonged cold spell, a lot of snow and ice can build up on your roof. In an ideal scenario, all that buildup will melt and run off once the temperatures rise.
But if too much ice builds up around the edge of your roof, it can form an ice dam. It pools up at the edge of your roof and seeps under shingles.
Needless to say, this can be a real problem. It’s crucial to check your roof for damage after a cold spell, especially near the gutters. If you ignore the problem for too long, the consequences can be pretty severe.
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When it comes to prolonging the life of your roof, knowledge is power. When you know what types of weather damage to look for, you can nip bigger problems in the bud. If you need a second opinion, a repair, or a replacement estimate, talk to the team at Texas Home Improvement. We know all the best roofing contractors in Dallas-Fort Worth, so we can get you the help you need. Get in touch >
