HWN

Dirty or clogged gutters allow water to spill over the edges and possibly too close to the foundation, which could create problems even if the landscaping slopes away from the house as it should. Home improvement is much easier when you are well-informed. Learn about home improvement, home safety and home maintenance. Update these often-overlooked interior elements with form and function.

Redesigning your front yard can completely change the feel of your house. Something as simple as planting flowers in the entryway will draw in party guests, and, when the time comes to sell, curb appeal is attractive to prospective buyers. Improve your front landscaping, paint your front door, power wash the front walk or complete another curb appeal project this year. “You simply will not get your money back on those types of additions, and buyers might be more apt to reconsider if it’s not something they’ve always dreamed of, too,” Matke explains. For professional flooring installation, expect to pay between $10 – $12 per square foot for faux wood, and up to $30 for real wood. An average quality carpeting will cost about $8- $12 per square foot, installed, says Matke.

• When you’re hanging a heavy mirror, be

That could mean avoiding replacing dinged-up trim work or repainting entire walls. Keeping up with caulking maintenance in bathrooms and kitchens saves many water-damage repair costs later. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a temporary way to add a burst of vibrant color or pattern to a room without tearing up the walls. To keep this project affordable and doable, try papering a focal wall or a small, low-humidity space like a powder room or closet.

Those kinds of replacement projects make up about half of home improvement spending, according to Abbe Will, who follows the industry at Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. “The older the home, the more need, true need, there is to do projects such as , windows, efficiency, related projects, roofing,” Farnsworth said. Pegboards are simple to hang, and can be easily customized with paint and can be cut to fit the size of your wall. If an overhead rack isn’t the right fit for your kitchen, consider installing a pegboard.

Before taking out a home equity loan, be careful and consider the pros and cons. You should explore alternatives with a credit counselor that do not put your home at risk of a forced sale. If you …

An unsecured loan, such as those provided by Admiral, can be used for anything from a new boiler to loft insulation without any financial risk to your home. Expanding the amount of physical space available in your home is one of the more expensive improvements but can also increase its value. Adding a conservatory is, on average, the most lucrative – just make sure it doesn’t eat up too much of your garden. Typically, you’ll not only make back what you spend, but double your money – and then some. Decking is a great way to improve your garden, giving prospective buyers the perfect place to entertain guests.

• Next, sand the wood with sandpaper, and you’ll be set to begin staining.
• An average quality carpeting will cost about $8- $12 per square foot, installed, says Matke.
• Instead, for the interior walls of your small home, opt for cool colors that give rooms an open and airy look.

Installing a hardwood floor can take longer than a weekend, so choose a material that’s less time-consuming. Start with anything that comes in a roll, such as sheet vinyl, which looks better and lasts longer than it used to. Loose-lay sheet vinyl is …