Having to buy whatever is available in an emergency, and paying financing charges and interest on top, will only drive up the cost of stuff you already don’t want to buy. With flagstone or cement pavers, you can easily make an outdoor patio in a weekend, no mortar required. Add potted plants and outdoor seating, such as a bistro set or an eclectic mix of colorful chairs, to create a quaint backyard escape.

I am planning to installPVC window trim with vinyl siding that already exists on the house. Right now, the windows meet the siding with only J channel between them. In preparation for the installation of the PVC trim, I just want to make sure that I …

• Just make sure the wall is sound before you start the installation.
• If the answer’s yes, it’s time whip out the paint and ladder.
• If you’ve got lots of rooms

If you’re in an older property and have enough space, doing this will also allow you to expand your kitchen. Both could improve your home’s value and saleability significantly, even if it means sacrificing a small bedroom entirely. Speak to a local estate agent for an idea of what your home will be worth after any work is done. Conventional wisdom among estate agents is that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, so if you’re thinking of improving with a view to selling on, this is a good place to start. A new kitchen can add 5% to the value of your home while a new bathroom can add 3% according to figures from Zoopla. The company that sells and installs your roof, siding and windows is key.

• One of the first home improvement shows to hit airwaves, “This Old House” began airing on PBS way back in 1979.
• Your choice

In most episodes, Holmes is forced to start the project from scratch, allowing viewers to see how things should be done. A cash-out refinance is like any other refinance, which means there are closing costs involved. The closing costs will typically be subtracted from the cash you’re getting, so you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Add a lower interest rate and you’ll come out ahead if your house is worth more.

• If you’re in an older property and have enough space, doing this will also allow you to expand your kitchen.
• All I need is a good quality storm door to go on back door.
• A simple fireplace makeover can begin with items you already have in your home.
• To see how much cash you could get from your home, apply online today with Rocket Mortgage.
• In this article I will explain to you how to install

Your home might be small, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. With the right home improvement projects, you can make spaces in your home feel bigger with strategic projects and design choices. Not only will these projects make you feel more comfortable in a space, they could also lead to a bigger price tag when you’re ready to sell. Making your outdoor space more functional can add a whole additional room without a costly renovation of addition.

• They’re about a buck a square at home centers and provide an easy-to-wipe-clean surface.
• While you have the painting supplies out, brighten trim with a light-colored, high-gloss paint.
• But well water has pros and cons that city people may never have considered.

These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities. Turning marginal areas into livable spaces such as turning basements into …

Add natural light in a dark room or hallway with a skylight.Velux Sun Tunnels funnel a diffused glow into any space; it’s a day job for a pro. Sharpen up.If you don’t love your everyday knife, get one you do — stat! Try an eight- to 10-inch chef’s knife from Wüsthof, Shun, or Zwilling to make prep work joyful for a lifetime. Switch up your switches.Screw on stylish new switch plates and you’ll lighten your mood every time you enter the room.

It seems like a small detail, and it is, but it’s also an important one. This happens as kids break dishes and you pick up new ones, slowly leaving you with a strange melange of plates, bowls and such. Having these mismatched dish sets around was a key step in making the Taylor house feel like a home.

• When it comes to projects that will give you a

Products that earn the Energy Star label are independently certified to save energy, save money, and protect the climate. Homeowners can safely and properly dispose of broken or outdated appliances by selling, donating, or recycling them. Spice up your cabinets and drawers by replacing factory-issue handles and pulls with designs that reflect your personal taste. These days there is cabinet hardware available for every kitchen style. Simple metallic hardware work best and is guaranteed to look great with any paint color for future cabinet makeovers.

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. Funny, friendly experts with serious answers and great ideas to help with all …

“The process is simple,” says Mike McAllister, owner of Riverside Kitchen Center in Mount Vernon, Washington. “Remove the small flange that holds the existing insert, then replace the insert with your material and add wood or metal stops to keep it in place.” If you’re considering replacing an appliance, replace it with an energy-efficient product.

• Give outdated floors a refresh with our step-by-step guide to painting and stenciling ceramic tile.
• Look for windows labeled low-emissivity (low-E) or spectrally selective—they have a coating that reduces thermal heat transfer.
• Earlier, we talked about repairing your own plumbing.

Radon test kits are available at home centers and hardware stores for about $10. They usually involve setting a collector in your home for a week or so and then sending it to a lab for analysis. (One manufacturer is Pro-Lab and charges $40; includes a postage-paid envelope.) Conduct the test in the lowest livable …