Home improvements can cause us a lot of strife, especially if the tasks take up a lot of time, effort, and money. In addition, a lot of these improvements require a ton of skill, which, unless you’re an expert, can be quite difficult to master. As such, this can lead many property owners to push these vital tasks to the sidelines, which only leads their homes to experience more decay and damage. But, once you start working with the right home service professionals, you can start transforming your interior design dreams into a reality. Therefore, this article will offer you a wealth of useful tips and tricks to ensure that you can give your home a well-needed upgrade.
7 Services to Improve the Quality of Your Home
1. HVAC Maintenance
Whether you live in an area that is teeming with snow or offers a wealth of blazing sunshine, HVAC systems ensure that we can remain comfortable all year round. But, just like any other aspect of our homes, these systems continue to age and can show glaring signs of wear and tear. Therefore, if your HVAC is no longer blowing out hot or cold air and is making a series of strained noises, you should get in touch with a local heating company as soon as possible. These companies will typically supply you with a selection of home service professionals who will help assess the overall condition and performance of your HVAC system. If they only notice a few minor issues, they’ll likely complete a few simple repairs on the same day. However, if the technician believes that your system is damaged beyond repair, they may suggest that you buy a new furnace. Although, according to Architectural Digest, a new furnace can cost anywhere between $2,807-$6,783, this hefty investment can help to save you a lot of money in the future. This is because modern furnaces are a lot more energy-efficient than their older counterparts, so they have the potential to truly drive down your usual utility bill. Plus, some governments offer subsidized grants for those eager to reduce their usual energy consumption, which could also help to save you money on your next furnace installation. Thus, it might be a good idea to conduct some research into these policies to see if your area offers a similar concept.
2. Exterior Repairs
Although many property owners don’t consider the exterior of their home to be as important as the interior, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Since the exterior is typically one of the first things guests will notice when they arrive at your home, you must keep this element looking as good as possible. Though you could spend your weekends trying to powerwash stubborn stains off the outside of your house, you may benefit even more from looking into some local stucco services. Stucco is an extremely popular material that is normally constructed from several aggregates, binders, and water. Therefore, it’s considered to be a very strong and sturdy substance that’s a perfect addition to the exterior of your house. This material is also a lot tougher than wood, which is ideal for those who are looking to protect their homes from harsh weather conditions and external sources of debris. It should also be mentioned that stucco offers a pretty minimalist and contemporary look, which is beneficial for those looking to detach from a selection of old-fashioned motifs and bring their home into the 21st century. Since adding stucco to your house can be a pretty hefty job, it can be a very pricey service for the average homeowner. Angi notes that the materials often average out at $8 per square foot, with labor costs being priced at $1-$3 per square foot. Overall, the source notes that you could expect to pay an average of $5,494 to hire some of these home service professionals.
3. Roof Repairs
Since roofs are such vast and complex structures, many homeowners feel intimidated by the prospect of repairing and maintaining them. But, by leaving these issues to fester and multiply, your home is vulnerable to immense levels of damage and decay. For example, if your roof is prone to high levels of water damage, this can lead to pretty serious mold infestations. Though this fungus is a pretty common substance, if it’s not treated early enough it can cause several distressing health concerns such as respiratory viruses and cognitive difficulties. For those looking to work with a collection of home service professionals to finally get this issue under control, start by reaching out to a local roofing contractor. During this process, the workers will carry out a series of detailed roof inspections, highlighting any prominent problems such as cracks, gaps, or watermarks. From here, the contractor will decide whether your home requires a few roof repairs or a complete roof replacement. Both of these services require a trained professional, so you must choose a contractor who best suits your needs and budget. Forbes explains that these contractors normally charge $40-$60 per hour, making this a relatively affordable service for those looking to give their home a complete makeover.
4. Insulation Needs
Regardless of the advancements in modern heating, every home needs to be properly insulated. This is so that the residual heat remains inside the confines of the property and doesn’t require the homeowner to constantly turn up the heating. There are several different ways to effectively insulate your home from purchasing a new set of windows or adding draft excluders throughout the home. But, if you want to take this job to the next level, you’ll probably require the help of some qualified home service professionals. Certain contractors are trained to conduct a variety of spray foam insulations, which work to improve the quality of widespread spaces, including lofts and basements. This substance is made by mixing a plethora of liquid competents and when it’s applied to a surface, it quickly reacts and expands exponentially. This reaction works to seal the gap between surfaces, ensuring the air cannot travel in or out of the structure. Not only can this type of insulation help to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the colder seasons, but it’s also a useful way to soundproof your home. This is especially beneficial for musicians or parents who want to live life to the fullest, without keeping their neighbors up at night. Lawn Starter states that this process tends to cost an average of $6,080, but can also be a very easy way for homeowners to save money on their next heating bill.
5. Gutter Maintenance
Though it may sound surprising, gutters are a crucial part of any home. These slim metal structures are based underneath the outside of your roof and are used to collect a large collection of debris that may have slid off the roof itself. Therefore, these assets help to keep your exterior looking spotless, whilst also working to keep your drainage systems clean and clear. Despite their importance, gutters are quite simple and can’t clean themselves. As such, this asset can quickly become clogged, making it less effective over time. Many homeowners could simply climb up a ladder and clean out their gutters by themselves. However, this can be a pretty complex feat if you suffer from limited mobility, so you may be better off reaching out to some nearby gutter companies. These home service professionals can give your gutters a deep clean, working to eliminate any stray leaves, dirt, and grime. According to Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, this service can cost $80-$250 for a single-level home and a further $150-$400 for a multi-story property. Thus, depending on the size of your home as well as the extent of the damage, this can be seen as a very affordable way to give your exterior a new lease on life.
6. Garage Repairs
Even those who tend to take great pride in their homes may still leave their garages in a sorry state. Although some property owners enjoy using their garage for its intended purpose, many people view this space as a glorified storage unit. So, instead of helping to keep your vehicle safe and dry, you may have ended up filling this valuable space with a ton of junk. Therefore, if you don’t take the time and effort to keep your garage in good condition, it’s more likely to show prominent signs of aging and decay. Thus, homeowners may be forced to struggle with broken hinges and dismantled doors, all of which just add to their ever-growing list of stressors. In turn, if you’re looking to bring your ramshackle garage back to life, consider hiring a collection of home service professionals to conduct a garage door service. These workers will usually start by analyzing the entire structure, keeping an eye out for any common signs of wear and tear. They may also work to add a new set of springs and hinges, or even replace the whole door if they feel it’s necessary. A new garage door is a pretty hefty expense, so Fixr.com estimates that it could cost anywhere between $700 and $2,000. As such, homeowners should not dismiss the garage when forming a budget for their home renovation plans. But, once you’ve transformed your old garage into a hub of possibilities, you have the prime opportunity to turn it into something new entirely. As a result, homeowners now have the chance to revel in a sleek home office or indulge in a thriving entertainment suite.
7. Appliance Repairs
Although most homeowners love nothing more than picking up a range of shiny new kitchen gadgets, this can lead to a series of unnecessary purchases. Even if certain items are starting to look a little dated, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t working perfectly or aren’t worthy of some simple appliance repair services. This is especially aimed at those who own a selection of vintage decor or family heirlooms, which may just need a little of TLC to help bring them back to life. So, consider using some home service professionals to help you complete a series of typical tasks such as dishwasher repairs or microwave restoration. Not only can these workers help these items to function normally, but they can also ensure that they last for many years to come. As a result, you will no longer have to keep replacing crucial kitchen gadgets, which can help you save a ton of money, which you can then use to fund other aspects of your home renovation process. However, if you’re looking to carry out some more detailed fixes, such as an oven repair process, it may be best to recruit a professional. This is particularly true if you have a brand-named appliance, as you have a better chance of working with a professional that’s more familiar with your specific make and model. The price of an oven repair depends greatly on the task at hand. For example, Sears Home Service explains that a simple job such as replacing a temperature sensor could cost as little as $180 to $200. Yet, if the professional is expected to carry out a more comprehensive service, you could expect to pay up to $2,000. As such, homeowners may have to use their own judgment to decide whether an appliance is worth restoring or replacing entirely.
When working to give your home a much-needed makeover, you’re bound to experience some hurdles along the way. Whether it’s a long list of demanding repairs or limitations in your budget, at some point in this journey, you’re likely to feel very defeated and lost. But, with the right series of home service professionals by your side, these problems will seem a lot more manageable. Therefore, consider implementing some of the advice and guidance offered in this article the next time you set out to give your home an upgrade.