Winter and spring’s unpredictable weather coupled with hectic family school schedules can cause home improvement projects to take a back seat. Now that summer’s reliable weather is within reach; it’s the perfect time to tackle some affordable home upgrades.
Families can eliminate the cost of hiring a contractor by utilizing do-it-yourself skills. With only a modest investment, the right home improvements can provide an affordable enhancement to your property.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Summer Home Improvement Projects
Summer is the perfect time to complete your home improvement projects! The more consistent sunshine allows property owners to schedule home improvement project phases with minimal concern about inclement weather. Not worrying about the threat of rain is important because complex builds and remodels can leave untreated lumber or areas of a home exposed.
By that same token, the summer heat often requires homeowners to take a break during peak afternoon temperatures. Managing DIY home improvement projects early in the morning or late afternoon when high temperatures dictate is not unusual. If you are considering making property enhancements, the list below ranks among the popular DIY home improvements requiring minimal investments.
1. Swap Out Your Entry Door
Aging or damaged front doors negatively affect the curbside appeal of any home. The entry tends to be a primary focus of passersby and says a great deal about the level of care people take regarding their homes. The price of a new door ranges from under a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Homeowners usually cut the price in half by installing pre-hung entry doors themselves. Timing the project during a stretch of mild warm days means you won’t incur unnecessary heating or air conditioning expenses. Swapping out your entry door typically increases the property value as well.
2. Plant a Garden
Planting a new garden ranks among the more cost-effective ways to beautify a property without breaking the bank. Creating raised beds with classic brick or convenient landscaping products creates a subtly layered landscape. A modest topsoil delivery, mulch, and attractive perennials such as Shasta daisies, purple coneflowers, and blooming shrubs, make new gardens a savvy investment and a wonderful way to spend leisure time. Consider re-imaging your landscape with well-placed gardens and craft a budget that works for you.
If gardening is already part of your backyard landscape, consider growing fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs. There’s nothing quite like the taste of your own grown produce. With the abundance of gardening for beginners guides and tips, you’ll have no problem finding advice on the right location, size of pots and gardening beds, and selection of crops to grow. Gardening is an excellent use of your time, and it may just save you a last-minute trip to the grocery store!
3. Build a Shed
Building a shed over the summer provides increased storage space for tools, bicycles, children’s toys, and yard maintenance equipment. Community members can make the home improvement project increasingly cost-effective by using materials such as metal roofing, textured plywood siding, reclaimed wood, and by installing a DIY door. There are plenty of ways to save money and keep the project on a budget your family can afford.
Explore how a HELOC can help you get the money you need for these home improvement projects by downloading our free guide:
4. Pressure Wash Your Home and Patio
Summer may be the best time to pressure wash the exterior of your home and outdoor living spaces. Along with the immediately improved curbside appeal, power washing can increase the life expectancy of siding and roofs. Some people do not realize that the same pollen that triggers asthma and other breathing ailments settles on the exterior of homes.Moisture and hot summer sunshine bake pollen into the siding and shingles. The cleansing effect of pressure washing helps reverse the otherwise damaging impact of pollen on your home and family health. Consider contacting a company that rents pressure washing equipment to minimize the cost of this home improvement endeavor.
5. Complete Deck Maintenance
Summer sun dries backyard deck surfaces. Properly maintaining these materials typically involves measures such as tightening down loose boards and replacing weakened or discolored pieces. Cleaning and staining your deck should also be regular maintenance done on a routine schedule. While washing your deck should be done yearly, staining your deck every two to three years is recommended. You know your deck needs to be stained when mold or mildew has built up, or water soaks into the boards and no longer beads up. A well-kept deck adds an extra usable, safe living space that can increase property values.
6. Repair or Install Fences or Gates
Good fences not only make for good neighbors, but they also define boundaries in an aesthetically pleasing fashion while increasing property values. Summer remains the optimal season to install fences or a gate because the soil tends to be dry and easy to manage. Depending on the type of fencing and materials, DIY homeowners usually have the hand-held tools needed to build a fence.
Homeowners can save upwards of $20 per linear foot that contractors may charge by purchasing the materials and a post-hole digger themselves. One of the key benefits of installing fences and gates yourself is the ability to afford the higher quality products within your budget based on the savings.
How to Pay For Your Home Improvement Project
You cannot underestimate the value associated with enjoying your family home. Allocating your time and DIY skills can offset the cost of hiring a contractor and lower the overall cost of home improvements.
A Home Equity Line of Credit could be a welcome solution if a necessary repair or desired upgrade would strain your monthly budget. These opportunities help qualified homeowners reinvest their equity and gain the quality of life experiences they deserve.
Contact Middlesex Federal for more information, guidance on determining if a Home Equity Line of Credit is right for you, and to check out today's HELOC rates. Applying for a home equity line of credit is easy!