Home Improvement Ideas

If you are contemplating a major remodel, the addition of a room or garage, or a new kitchen you should consider upgrading your electrical service.

Thirty years ago, the average new home was equipped with a 60 amp electrical service connected to a screw-in fuse panel with two fuse blocks. The common distribution was a fuse block for the stove and one for the hot water tank. The balance of the homes electrical needs were served by six, 15amp screw-in fuses.

Twenty years ago the average new home was equipped with a 100 amp electrical service and some of them used the latest in technology, circuit breakers.

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According to the EPA indoor air is considered to be one of the top five hazards to human health.
Studies found that levels of several Volatile Organic Compounds average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which have adverse health effects. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products including: paints, lacquers, cleaning supplies, paint strippers, correction fluids, carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials, glues and adhesives, permanent markers, photographic solutions, pesticides, building materials and furnishings and office equipment such as copiers and printers

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In the past metal roofs were not considered to be traditional roofing. However, they are gaining in popularity because of their features. Metal roofs are durable, very lightweight, maintenance free, fire retardant and energy efficient. Metal can be formed to imitate the appearance of almost any other style roofing. Metal roofs have a life expectancy exceeding 30 years and some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty.

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A long used approach for enlarging the overall feel of a house is to make rooms look larger by visually extending them into the lawn or garden. Using the same wall material inside as for a wall that continues on the terrace and using the same material for the inside ceiling as on the extended terrace eaves, and using glass walls all help to do this. In addition your living room, dining room or even bedrooms can flow right outdoors on to “floating” decks, bricked terraces or lattice-roofed loggias.

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When you make the final payment you eliminate your greatest point of leverage with the contractor. Before you sign off on the completion of your building or home improvement project and make that payment, use this checklist to make sure the job is complete.

Check that:

All work meets or exceeds the standards that are spelled out in the contract.

You have all written warranties for materials, fixtures and workmanship. You should also have any owner’s manuals for appliances or other devices.

You have proof that all of the subcontractors and suppliers have been paid in full. This is important for protecting yourself from mechanics liens.

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The cabinets that you choose for your kitchen remodel can easily amount to 60% of the total amount spent on the project. In home renovation projects, a kitchen remodel is the most expensive home improvement project that can be undertaken and the cabinetry is the single most expensive item in a kitchen remodel. There are many options, quality levels, styles, joinery, hardware, trims, and finishes. Considering that the vast majority of kitchen cabinet installations have a minimum 35-year life, it is important to understand and consider your requirements before you purchase.

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Below are several low cost ways to increase the value of your house and make it easier to sale. Not everything will apply to your situation and you will need to use your own best judgment to decide where your time is best spent.

Repaint the front door (first impressions count)

Touch up the paint on the exterior of the house and repair any cracks or holes.

Replace burned out or dim light bulbs

Clean out and organize your garage.

Buy inexpensive brackets and hang up tools so they are out of the way.

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In the United States, certain “qualified” home improvements may reduce your tax bite when it’s time to sell your house and some could allow you to take an immediate tax credit, but some of those same improvements could also raise your property tax bill by triggering a reassessment of your property’s value.

Fortunately, a property tax increase caused by a home improvement is typically outweighed by your increase in equity, higher resale value and possibly a reduced tax bite - not to mention your enjoyment of the improvements.

Capital Improvements

Capital improvements are those home improvements that may ultimately help reduce your taxes.

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