To update or not to update? Your home, that is. Well, just like always, the decision comes down to a few key variables:
- What are you trying to accomplish
- What’s your budget
- Are you planning to do the work yourself or sub it out
Obviously, there’s more to it than that, but for now, let’s assume that money IS an object, you’re going for a single and not a home run, and generally want to keep your home in the best possible shape. Here are a few quick and easy ways to go about that.
Accessorize a room with paint. Pick a bold or contrasting color and paint just one wall. It takes less time and paint to cover one wall than it would an entire room and yet still delivers a dramatic result.
Update the kitchen or bathroom faucet. Grab a wrench and kick that old, leaky faucet to the curb. Turn off the water supply, unscrew the connections from the old faucet and screw in the new one. While you’re at it, add an aerator to save water and a few bucks on your water bill.
Clean out your dryer duct. Not only can lint buildup make your dryer dry less efficient, it can cause a home fire. Simply unplug your dryer, move it away from the wall, disconnect the duct, and vacuum it out as best you can.
Perform an electrical inspection. Walk around your home to inspect light switches, outlets, power strips, and cords. Replace any frayed cords and adjust overloaded outlets. Repair any light switches that spark or are hot to the touch, and tighten any loose outlets. If you have small children in the house, make sure all outlets have securely installed covers. For those tasks you don’t feel qualified to tackle on your own, contact a licensed electrician for assistance.
Update cabinet hardware. Even if you can’t afford a kitchen or bathroom makeover, you can still update its look by installing new cabinet hardware. You won’t need much more than a screwdriver plus the new handles, knobs, or pulls. If you’re installing pulls on drawers and doors that didn’t have them before, make a template so you can be sure you’re drilling in the same spot each time.
Install weather-stripping around windows and doors. Weather stripping is an easy and inexpensive way to keep things nice and comfortable indoors while cutting your heating and cooling costs. Install permanent weather-stripping with adhesive around windows and doors that are opened and closed throughout the seasons, or temporary seals that can peel off when no longer needed.
How about your home security system…could it benefit from an upgrade of its own? If so, we’re just the people to talk to: Now Security Systems. Contact us today for answers to your questions and guidance on how to better protect your home and family.