Things to consider when budgeting your home improvement project Home improvement projects have become de rigueur for today’s homeowners. Be it a kitchen remodel or the ever popular man cave project, home improvement projects remain a goal for many homeowners. As enticing as a home improvement project might be, no project can be successful until a budget has been established. The right budget will keep homeowners from going deep into debt when improving their homes, ensuring that, upon the project’s completion, they can fully enjoy their revamped castles without the specter of significant debt hanging ominously over their heads. Before beginning a home improvement project, homeowners can take the following things into consideration. * Personal finances: It sounds simple, but homeowners must examine their finances before starting a home improvement project. Just because a bank will loan out money for a project doesn’t mean the project is affordable. Homeowners should compare their monthly expenses with their incomes, and then determine what’s left that might be able to go toward a project. Monthly expenses include everything from groceries to mortgage payments. When the comparison between monthly expenses and monthly income has been made, homeowners can get a grasp of just what they can and cannot afford. * Credit score: Many homeowners finance home improvement projects with loans from the bank. Particularly in the current economy when banks are being forced to tighten lending requirements, securing such loans isn’t
Before beginning a home improvement projects, homeowners should construct a budget to ensure the project is a success.
easy. Homeowners with significant credit card debt should eliminate such debt before beginning a project. Doing so serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, eliminating outstanding debt will free up more money to allocate toward the project. Eliminating debt will also make loan applicants more attractive to prospective creditors, increasing their chances of securing a loan and a lower interest rate. * The project’s priority: Budgeting a home improvement project also involves being honest as to just how necessary the project is. For example, a man cave might be a dream project, but should it be a priority over other things around the house? If wear and tear is taking its toll on the roof, for instance, the money going toward the man cave should probably be allocated to replacing the roof instead. If a project is low on the priority list but high on the want list, re-examine those projects higher up on the priority list to determine if they are more deserving of immediate attention and funds than vanity projects. * Overrun costs: Not every home improvement project will come in at or under budget. Many, in fact, go over budget due to a host of factors. Homeowners should not be caught off guard when a project goes over budget. Instead, plan for the project to go over budget and expect such frustration. Allocate extra money in the original budget for overrun costs. This will reduce stress and frustration, and if the project comes in under budget, then there’s extra money when the project is completed. FH119218
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How to avoid do-it-yourself project injuries Tough economic times call for even tougher measures -- and for many homeowners this means getting hands-on with home improvement projects. Although DIY projects can save money in theory, they also may result in a trip to the hospital if safety precautions aren’t followed. According to recent statistics, 85 percent of homeowners are tackling projects around the house rather than hiring outside contractors. In this difficult economy, emergency rooms are seeing an influx of people coming in with injuries ranging from lacerations to puncture wounds from nail guns. John and Jane Do-It-Yourselfer has easy access to home-improvement supplies and tools at the local home center. He or she also may
be inspired by any of the myriad shows on television instructing individuals to give renovations a try. However, many homeowners are not schooled in proper safety procedures or do not know how to use tools correctly. This is a recipe for injury. Common injuries include: * falls from ladders or scaffolding * hand and finger injuries -- including amputation -- from power saws and grinder/sanders * nail gun injuries; since 1991, these injuries have increased by 200 percent * eye injuries and breathing difficulties Homeowners should consider the risks of improvements before beginning. They should also take
precautions to do improvements in the safest manner possible. * Always read the manufacturers’ safety information and usage guidelines for any tools before the are put to use. * Turn off electrical current to rooms and outlets prior to doing any electrical repairs. * Wear proper safety equipment, including goggles, dust masks or respirators, boots, and gloves. * Store chemicals in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf out of reach of children and pets. * Be cautious of power cords. Always unplug tools and turn off the switches when the item is not in use.
* Do not climb past the top rung of ladders. Do not use furniture or stacked items as a ladder. * Jobs such as electrical work, roof work, gas projects, or major plumbing issues are better left to a skilled contractor. * Make sure drill bits and saw blades are sharp. Dull tools can result in injuries. * Keep fire extinguishers and a good first aid kit readily available at all times. There is no cost savings that make risking a disability worth it. If a project is beyond an individual’s scope of ability, hire a professional instead. FH109823
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When working on the home, homeowners should always err on the side of caution to reduce their risk of injury.
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Ready your lawn for winter Though spring and summer are often seen as the primary seasons for lawn care, fall is a great time to ready a lawn for winter weather. The following tips can help a lawn withstand winter weather and might even make spring lawn care that much easier once the warm weather returns. * Fertilize. Fertilizing in the fall actually helps the lawn come the early spring. Nutrients remain in the soil throughout the winter months, and the lawn will utilize those nutrients once the snow melts and the sun and warmer weather return. * Aerate. Lawns typically become compacted by late summer, making it difficult for the grass to thrive. When fall arrives, aerating the lawn can relieve that compaction by removing plugs or cores of soil from the lawn. Once a law is aerated, the grass roots can spread out and thicken the lawn. It’s good to aerate in the fall when grass roots
grow. * Edge the property. Homeowners who live in areas that experience heavy snowfall in the winter might want to edge their lawns in the fall. Edging can eliminate the risk of damaging grass that hangs over curbs and sidewalks when shoveling snow. What’s more, an edged lawn adds aesthetic appeal to the property. * Seed. Fall can be a great time to seed a lawn as well. Overseeding a warm season lawn in the fall can help a lawn resist diseases throughout the winter. * Rake the leaves promptly. Don’t allow leaves to accumulate on the grass before finally dusting off the rake. If you allow leaves to sit on the lawn too long, they can smother the grass. Don’t allow leaves to reach ankle length. FH119261
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