Every homeowner would want to turn their house into a dream home or at least make minor updates, but that’s often said than done. Home improvement projects remain unimplemented because of the big financial decisions involved. Zippia reports in the US, every homeowner spent an average of $10,341 on home improvement in 2021. So, can you improve your home without hurting your pocket? Yes, here are 10 ways to improve your home on a budget.
Home Cleaning Services
Home cleaning is a maintenance exercise, but it’s regarded as too obvious, especially by the household. But if you want to improve your home on a budget, call the professionals to conduct interior and exterior cleaning. You’ll notice the home’s look just transformed.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Saharan dust has been the biggest challenge for US homeowners and businesses. Winds carry saharan dust around the globe to parts of Europe, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. The neighborhood also can become dusty during summer. And all this combined dust settles on various parts of your home.
On the other hand, a mature tree can have an average of 200,000 leaves. The trees in the yard will lose some of their leaves all year, but they shed the highest number at the end of the fall. These leaves spread around the yard and the roofing, reducing the home’s curb appeal.
Although home cleaning must be done daily, you can schedule professional cleaning at least thrice a year. Hiring a mold removal company and other professionals will allow you to at least go off the beaten track by cleaning the attic and doing spring cleaning on your landscape. This will improve the home’s look and the air quality.
Roofing Services
A roofing project is considered one of the most expensive home improvement projects. Forbes reports for an average-sized home, you can spend an average of $11,500 on roof replacement. But experts say you can choose affordable materials, designs, and contractors to reduce the cost to around $6,700. This approach requires professional advice depending on your location’s weather.
Roofing repairs and shingle replacements can cost you less, but when your roof has seen its better days, you must do a replacement. That said, choosing low-cost materials is one of the most effective tricks you’ll apply to save your pocket. Asphalt shingles are the best choice because they are cheaper and more durable. Asphalt shingle costs around $1 to $2 per square foot.
The roofing design is the second thing you must choose when improving your home on a budget. As a general rule, the simpler and flatter the roof, the less expensive it’ll be to put up. Many homeowners have considered this rule an oversimplification, but for heaven’s sake, it’s not. Choosing the best materials and professional roofers for the roofing project will bring out the best design ever.
Some of the best and lowest-costing designs include gable, flat, shed, and hip roofs. Gable designs are stereotypical roofs with two equal sides of the same pitch. The sides meet at a single ridge along the center of the house. A flat roof is inappropriate in many situations or neighborhoods but can be the cheapest option.
Shed roofs are simple and fit with many modern houses’ design and aesthetics. A low-pitched shed roof will be the most affordable option due to its versatility and simplicity. Hip design is the last and the most appealing design you can choose for your home. It has four hips angled towards the center to meet at a single ridge on the top.
Finally, consider labor and costs without compromising the roof’s quality. Labor costs can add 60% or more to the material costs, which can be a big concern. Consult local roofing companies who understand the area’s weather and other homeowner’s needs.
Home Siding Installation Services
Removing that old, worn-out, and unattractive exterior siding will generally restore your home’s beautiful look. Yes, you want to improve your home on a budget, but don’t leave the exterior walls uncovered. The siding plays a major role in protecting the outer wall from dust and grime damage.
According to Forbes, replacing your home’s old exterior with vinyl siding costs only $2 to $13 per square foot. Vinyl siding can last 30 to 40 years, depending on the weather and other factors. As such, invest in this cheaper home siding that will protect your house’s exterior walls for an extended period. Another trick to save money on installation is to schedule your project on seasons with low labor demands.
A siding company can charge you hourly, per square foot, or project. Apart from the peak seasons, factors like geographical location and home design can affect the labor cost. Old siding removal services can also add to your budget; if you can remove the old siding before hiring the professionals, you’ll spend less on labor.
Windows Upgrades
Windows have a dramatic impact on the style and appearance of a home. Cleaning the windows can restore the home’s curb appeal if done professionally. But at times, cleaning may not make the home as appealing as when you upgrade the windows. Window upgrade is a less costly project you can include to improve your home on a budget.
Repaint the sill and frames if your home windows haven’t taken much beating due to the weather. Unfortunately, you cannot repaint the vinyl or PVC windows. But if you have wooden or fiberglass window frames and sills, clean and repaint them to restore the home’s curb appeal. The cost can range from $3 to $7 per linear foot.
If you feel the cold breeze when seated on the couch, your windows need sealing. So, examine the condition and determine the upgrades the windows need. Removing the old caulking, weatherstripping, and adding the new one will improve the interior environment. Ensure you have professionals because they’ll use the right tools to complete the job.
Your windows panes are clean, and the frames are in good condition, but you must save energy and enhance privacy. If that’s the case, add window film to your windows. Window films block UV rays, reduce sun glare, and add privacy to the home. Additionally, they add to the aesthetics, therefore increasing the home quality.
Alternatively, revamp your window with treatments if you have the same curtains hanging all year. Window shutters are more expensive than curtains but will give your home a modern look. They are durable and offer other benefits like light control and energy saving.
Floor Coating Services
The home floor suffers a lot because of the impacts of falling items, children running around, and long periods of use. So, if you want to improve your home on a budget, opt for an epoxy seal to give your floor a better look. Homeowners commonly use epoxy seals to coat traditional concrete floors.
Epoxy floor coats are cheaper because they cost around $0.3 to $1.4 per square foot. Water-based epoxy is even cheaper, ranging from $0.3 to $1.2. On the other hand, labor can cost anywhere between $1 to $7 per square foot. At least you can spend $500 daily because you need a floor cleaning company to tidy the surface before the epoxy professionals take over.
Besides being cheaper, epoxy floors are seamless and easy to clean. You’ll eliminate the joints, seams, and ridges on your tile floor. This makes the flooring a more sanitary option. Epoxy flooring is also resistant to stains and water. And although inevitable spills may happen, cleaning up is very easy.
The chemical compounds in epoxy make the floor impact-resistant and perfect for handling shock, heavy machinery, and heat. Epoxy flooring is the toughest to withstand chemical spills. Epoxy flooring is available in various beautiful colors that will match your decor. You can add an anti-slip layer on your epoxy to reduce the potential slips and other accidents.
Home Addition Services
Sometimes, homeowners build smaller houses due to financial limitations. However, the family can later outgrow the space, leading to the dire need for additional space. So, what do you do if you want to improve your home on a budget? You can build a cheap shed around the yard for storage and add one extra room to the house.
Home addition contractors can give you the estimates to add a simple bedroom or an office to the house. The additional room can host your guests and distant relatives who want to stay at your home. On the other hand, you can have a specialized space for entertainment, gaming, or other activities.
Home addition services are like building a new home. It involves designing, applying for permits, hiring contractors, and building the structure from the ground up. However, partnering with local contractors can help you carry out the project at a lower cost. Home addition specialists will recommend cheaper material suppliers and carry out the permit-acquiring process, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Home Decor Upgrades
Home decor addition is the most obvious home improvement practice among homeowners. Focus on the decor if you’re looking forward to improving your home on a budget. Doing little touches can make a huge difference in your home’s interior.
A home’s floor color is a vital aspect to consider when doing the home’s decor. As such, choose floor coating with various color options to make your decor appealing. Once you’re done with the flooring, shift to custom blinds and window treatments because windows play a vital role in the interior beauty. Custom blinds will allow you to remove the curtains to give the interior a modern look.
The home furniture should match your flooring and the windows. But you don’t need to break the bank for a great interior; a simple sofa set cover can do wonders. On the other hand, determine cheaper accessories you can add to your living room to make the interior space welcoming.
Air Conditioner Servicing
Experts will advise replacing the HVAC every 10 years because of technological advancements. But sometimes, your AC may be functional and efficient enough to offer you an extra five years of service. So, the best step is to service it for a new lease of life. And this is the cheaper option if you want to improve your home on a budget.
According to Forbes, AC repairs can cost around $100 to $650 in 2023. On the other hand, cleaning the system will cost you an extra $100. The prices combined can total less than $ 1,000, which is cheaper than purchasing a new AC for around $3,800 to $7,500. However, call a professional to inspect the unit’s condition and advise you before making the repair decision.
Install Air Purifiers
AC cools or heats the home but cannot remove particles in the interior air. To make your interior more comfortable, budget for air purifiers. For instance, if you have household members with respiratory health conditions, children, or the elderly, air purifiers are necessary in the home because these people are more prone to allergic reactions.
A complex air purification system will cost you more, but simple air purifiers can save you energy and cost less on installation. You can move around with an air purifier in different rooms and plug it into the electric outlet for air purification. These devices filter harmful particles like smoke, dust, and pollen, which AC cannot filter.
Wiring Upgrade
According to experts, electrical wiring can serve for up to 80 years. But sometimes, you may need to replace them even when improving your home on a budget. Wiring wears with time and can contribute to energy loss. Besides the everyday wear, pests can damage them and put your home at fire risk.
Hiring an electrician can cost $250 – $300, depending on the type of the project. But at times, the cost can be higher, up to $1000, or as low as $75, according to Forbes Magazine. On the other hand, doing a full house wiring can cost about $5,300. But considering the wiring can serve you for over 80 years, it’s worth the cost.
You can improve your home on a budget. Hire the right professionals and choose affordable materials for your projects. On the other hand, choose simple projects that will significantly impact your home, like siding replacement. All the best as you plan to improve your home.
