Updates are certainly the way to go if you want to get the most out of your home. Upgrading your home can increase your home value and allow you to make more money if you ever plan to resell.
When your value increases, it’s also essential to protect your assets. You may not consider homeowners insurance and property value increases to go hand in hand, but they do. If you upgrade your home, contact your agent once finished. You may need to increase your coverage amount to cover the increased value.
Thinking about tackling these needed updates can often leave you feeling torn. Paying a professional to complete projects may cost a lot of money. But doing upgrades yourself may make you nervous.
However, there are some DIY projects you can actually do around your house with minimal room for error. Doing these tasks on your own can save you a lot of money and leave you with the home you always wanted.
#1 – Painting May Not be as Overwhelming as It Seems
Painting an entire room, let alone multiple rooms, may leave you feeling overwhelmed by the project. It can seem like a ton of work to paint so much surface area. You may also worry you will mess up or do a poor job, leaving the room you imagined feeling less than perfect.
However, painting doesn’t have to be as daunting of a task as it seems. By doing the proper preparation and choosing the right tools, you can paint just like the professionals without paying their prices.
Prepping your walls before you begin painting is an essential first step. Otherwise, your paint job will not have an even finish. Be sure to patch and sand any imperfections such as holes, uneven spots, or cracks.
Next, prime your walls before painting. Priming helps when transitioning from a darker shade to a lighter color, as it prevents your previous paint color from popping through. It also helps your paint adhere better to your walls and avoid any potential peeling.
Once you’ve prepped and primed, you’re ready to begin painting. Using rollers for larger surface areas can help you cover more ground and get more even coverage. For tight corners, a small brush can help you avoid getting your new paint on things like trim and baseboards.
Paint doesn’t have to be limited to your walls, either. Other things in your home — such as trim or cabinets – can also benefit from a fresh coat of paint.
When applying to these items, you’ll want to make sure you strip and sand off any existing product before applying your paint. Properly preparing your cabinets or trim ensures your paint will stick well and prevents potential chipping.
#2 – Replace Outdated Handles and Knobs
If your home is older, it may contain fixtures that were once very stylish but now seem outdated. Things like gold-colored cabinet handles and doorknobs likely don’t complement the vision you have of your home.
The good news is that these upgrades are extremely easy to make and can significantly impact the overall look of your home. You can find modern fixtures and knobs at any hardware store or even online.
When purchasing your replacement fixtures, make sure that they line up with your old ones. Otherwise, your simple project may require some drilling to create new holes.
The easiest way to ensure you won’t need to drill new holes is to purchase knobs or fixtures similar in shape and size to your existing ones.
For instance, if you have long, rectangular handles on your cabinets, it’s wise to purchase the new handles you want in the same shape and size. Otherwise, you may have to patch the existing knob holes and create new ones.
Once you’ve chosen your new fixtures, it’s as easy as using a screwdriver to remove the existing ones and screwing in your updated version.
#3 – Refresh Your Deck for a Transformed Outdoor Space
If your home has a deck that’s seen better days, you may not need to call a professional to bring it back to life. Refreshing a deck can be easier than you think, and it’s something you could definitely tackle yourself with some elbow grease and patience.
Before beginning your deck project, it’s essential to check the quality of all your boards. Before moving forward, you should replace rotting or broken boards as they can pose serious safety hazards. It’s also wise to  check for termites, as they can ruin your deck over time.
Whether you want to change the stain color on your deck will determine how many steps this process will take. If you’re going to keep the same color, simply give your deck a good scrub with an all-purpose deck cleaner. This will ensure you are removing any buildup and mildew from the surface.
Once you’ve scrubbed, give your deck a good rinse. You could even opt for a power washer for this step, but be mindful of your wood. You’ll only want to use a low setting to avoid damage.
Allow your deck to dry completely before applying your stain. It may be wise to plan your process ahead of time so you don’t find yourself trapped in the middle of your deck surrounded by the wet stain.
If you are planning to change the color of your deck, you’ll want to remove the existing paint or stain. You can do this by sanding off the current product, leaving you with a clean surface.
Once you’ve sanded, you’ll want to clean your deck off to remove any residue and allow it to dry completely before applying your new color.
DIY Projects to Increase Your Home’s Value
Purchasing a home that needs work can often feel overwhelming. But paying professionals to complete these projects can be expensive and leave you with little money left over.
Rather than paying someone else to work on your home, try to do some of the work yourself. Tasks like painting, replacing hardware, and restoring your deck can be easier than you might think.
Once you’ve upgraded your home, be sure to reach out to your insurance agent and have your value assessed. You may need to increase your policy amount to cover your home’s new value.
If your home insurance rate increases, ask your insurance agent about all available discount opportunities, including bundling your home and auto insurance.
Then, all that’s left is to enjoy the home you’ve always envisioned and be incredibly proud of yourself for completing the work yourself.
