by Taha E.H | Jul 16, 2021 | Projects
When it comes to exterior home improvement, there are a lot of questions to ask yourself before
you begin. Getting clear on what you want and what your plan is can save you a lot of frustration
down the road—and lead to a much happier outcome. Here are three big questions to consider
before getting started on your project.
What do you really want?
Think beyond “I want a ten-foot maple pergola” or “I want new windows.” What’s at the heart of
your project? It could be:
- My family needs a comfortable, beautiful outdoor space where we can hang out with the
neighbors and spend time together on Sunday afternoons.
- I want to feel thankful for my home every time I pull into the driveway, but I never want to have to paint it again.
- My spouse and I want to find creative new ways to cut down on energy consumption at home without sacrificing beauty and functionality.
Knowing the real “why” behind your exterior home improvement projects can help you make
better decisions and ensure you’re getting the outcome you want. If you share your thoughts
with your home improvement team, they might be able to suggest an even better solution that
will meet your needs.
What’s your budget?
This may seem obvious, but trust us: It’s a big one. You need to get crystal clear on how much
you’re looking to spend on your exterior home improvement project. Your budget can drive a lot
of decisions: what materials you choose, how big of a project you can take on at once, or even
whether you should wait until you’ve saved up a little more money before you get started.
A reputable exterior home improvement contractor wants to help you improve your home and
make it beautiful, not plunge you into debt. They’ll help you make a plan that gets you the
outcome you want without going beyond your means.
What’s your timeline?
Some exterior home improvement projects are driven by very specific deadlines:
weatherproofing before the seasons change, plans to list your home for sale, or an upcoming
graduation party for your high school senior. Others are less urgent but no less important.
There are many factors that can impact the timeline of any project: weather, supply chain
issues, labor shortages, high demand for home improvement work in your area, and more. If
you want your project done by a specific date, be sure to communicate that with your exterior
home improvement team as soon as possible so they can plan ahead and do everything they
can to stay on target and prevent delays.
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Every home improvement project is different, and the right team will take the time to learn what
makes your home special and help you get the outcome you want. Do a little work upfront and
ask yourself these important questions so your team can stay true to your vision and bring it to
life. When your project is done and you’re kicking back to enjoy the view, you’ll be glad you did!
by Taha E.H | Jan 23, 2021 | Projects
Right now is the perfect time to start planning a new home improvement project around the house. Maybe something needs to be fixed before major damage occurs or something that doesn’t look good anymore and needs to be updated. No matter what the project is, it’s important to think carefully about whether to DIY the project or call a contractor for help.
The Scope of the Home Improvement Project
One of the most important parts of home improvement projects is determining the scope. This includes information about everything that needs to be fixed or updated as part of the project. The scope can vary based on how large a project the homeowner wants to tackle at a time, and the scope can be broken down into smaller, more manageable projects. If the plan is to update the home’s exterior, this could include repairs to the home’s exterior, new paint, replacing windows, installing new pavers for the front yard, planting new plants, and more.
For smaller, easier projects, DIY might be the way to go, as long as the homeowner has the time and skills needed to do the job. For projects with a much larger scope, it’s often beneficial to work with a contractor. They can keep ahead of schedule to make sure everything’s done in the proper order, and they can handle the project no matter how large the scope is.
The Tools and Equipment Needed
Next, homeowners need to determine the tools and equipment needed to get the job done. The tools and equipment needed vary depending on the project. Many tools are easily available at a local home improvement store, but before buying, the homeowner should consider the tool’s cost and whether they’re likely to use it again. There are tools that can be rented, as well, but it’s important to know the requirements to use the equipment and make sure the homeowner can do it safely.
If the project requires expensive or specialized tools and equipment, it’s often better to go ahead and call a contractor for help. The contractor already owns the equipment needed, so the homeowner won’t have to purchase it and figure out where to store it when it’s not in use. Plus, the contractor knows how to use the equipment properly to get the job done faster without any issues.
The Safety of the Project
Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. Anything that requires a ladder, for example, has a higher risk. Far too many homeowners try to tackle a project that requires a ladder and end up seriously injured if they fall. This risk increases if the homeowner tries to use power tools while on the ladder or is washing something and standing on a ladder that gets wet. Depending on the project, it could also require specialized equipment that can be dangerous without proper safety precautions.
If there is a high risk of injury while doing a project, it’s likely better to leave it to the professionals. While homeowners may feel confident tackling projects with a lower risk, they’ll want to have someone trained and experienced to do the jobs that have a higher potential for injury. Projects with a higher risk can include anything on a ladder, projects that require tools that have a high rate of injury associated with them, or any other project the homeowner doesn’t feel safe tackling on their own.
Current Knowledge
When working on DIY home improvement projects, homeowners can overestimate how much they know about the task at hand or what they can learn by watching videos. There are videos to teach homeowners how to do just about every type of project they may be interested in, but this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to try to do these projects. Homeowners should keep in mind what they have done before and what is reasonable to learn. It may be reasonable to learn how to do smaller jobs, but not ones that typically require significant experience to do right.
It is possible to learn everything needed to tackle a job, but if there’s any risk if the job is done incorrectly, it may be better to have a contractor do the work. A homeowner may tackle painting the trim on the house, because other than using a ladder, the only risk is that it won’t look good when they’re done. Fixing a deck or porch, on the other hand, could lead to injuries if it isn’t done right and someone falls. For that type of project, it may be better to have professional help.
Important Deadlines for the Project
Sometimes, homeowners can take as much time as they’d like to work on a project. They have the time needed to watch videos, wait to rent equipment, and do the job until it’s done right. Other times, they may need to have it done by a certain deadline. They might have guests coming over in a few weeks or may be tackling a project that means they can’t park in the driveway, so they’ll want to get it done as fast as possible.
When time is a concern, working with a contractor is a good idea. While there are always things out of the contractor’s control, they will make sure the job’s done as quickly as possible and that it’s done right. This way, the homeowner won’t have to worry about missing their deadline or having to rush to get everything completed.
Have you been thinking about the home improvement projects you want to tackle? You may be wondering if it’s a good idea to DIY the project or if hiring a contractor will be better. Whether the scope is larger than you want to handle along, you’re on a deadline, or you’re worried about safety, calling a contractor might be the better idea. Texas Home Improvement is a licensed exterior home improvement company with a long history of serving homeowners in Texas, and they’d love to work on your project as well. Contact them today to get help.
