How to Search For Home Improvement Contractors Eastleigh

Home Improvements: Weekend DIY projects

In today’s economy, many homeowners are deciding to stay put. As a result, many are looking for ways they can improve their homes. Luckily, there are many do-it-yourself, cost-efficient home improvement projects that will do just that.

Here are some simple projects that can be completed in as little as one weekend:

Build a new backsplash in your kitchen

Building a new backsplash is an easy way to showcase your personality and add character to your kitchen. Character can be added by implementing tile design tricks, such as placing tile diagonally to add dimension to a room or placing tile in patterns to form interesting mosaics.

No matter which design you choose to create, the most cost-effective way to build a new backsplash is to research several tile options before making your final tile purchase. Experts say that, in general, ceramic and porcelain tile are the best options in terms of cost, starting at $10 per square foot.

Replace your old bathroom vanity

Standalone vanities are a hot trend in bathroom design because they provide the look of furniture, adding a more comfortable feeling to a bathroom. Vanities are available in many different styles and sizes, ranging from small sizes, which are about 18 inches in width, to large sizes, which are about 72 inches in width. With such diverse vanities to choose from, there is a vanity to suit any taste and replacement timeline.

Vanities can be installed in only a matter of hours with the correct number of people. Installing a vanity usually requires at least two people in order to make the installation process move quickly and smoothly. However, the size of the vanity will determine how many people should help to install it.

Add wood flooring

Wood flooring can increase value and add style to your living room. Light woods can make a room appear larger, medium woods can make a room appear more traditional, and dark woods can make a room appear warmer.

Installing wood floors on your own can cut down on the overall cost of your flooring project and can easily give your living room a beautiful new look from between $1,000 and $2,500, depending on the size of your room.

Projects like these make your home look unique and get a great return on your very affordable investment.

-- ARA

Home-Selling Tip: To paint or not to paint

Many home-sellers consider painting the outside of their home in preparation for a sale. When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a good investment and could add dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.

-- www.realestateabc.com

How T Light your bathroom

Here are some tips for lighting your bathroom, from the American Lighting Association:

- Since you’ll be shaving, grooming and applying makeup, you’ll need plenty of even, shadow-free lighting. Mirror lights will be enough in a small bathroom, but larger rooms will need an additional ceiling fixture.

- For small mirrors, decorative wall brackets on each side will illuminate both sides of your face evenly. You can also mount a wall bracket across the top of the mirror.

- Light tubs and showers by installing a light in the ceiling. Make sure it’s appropriate for damp conditions.

-- www.americanlightingassoc.com

Did You Know …

Baking soda isn’t the only thing that can absorb odors in your fridge. Try activated charcoal (available at aquarium stores) in a sock in the back of your fridge.

Decorating Tip: Give your front door a facelift

Improving the visual appeal of your home stars at the front door. Try these tips from Ace Hardware for making a good first impression:

- Restore the luster of your front door by polishing the hinges and knobs. Paint or stain the door with a color that stands out, yet complements, the trim and siding. Hang a wreath to finish the look.

- Match a decorative handle or doorknocker with shiny new house numbers and a mailbox.

- Put out a clean, new welcome mat.

-- www.acehardware.com

Garden Guide: Build a garden storage box

Tired of losing your gardening tools? Install a mailbox in your garden to add charm and provide a handy storage space.

Making sure the decorative mailbox is not near the street, set a post and attach a mailbox. Then you can decorate the box to match the tone of your garden. Paint or stencil plant and flower designs or attach garden-related shapes – be creative!

You can even incorporate the box into your garden by training ivy or another climbing plant to wind its way around the post.

-- www.lowes.com

Backyard Buddies: Waiting for birds to visit your feeder?

According to the National Audubon Society, it may take some time before birds become regular visitors at a new bird feeder.

Whether it’s a couple of hours or a couple of weeks, it all depends on the distance to bird habitat, density of nearby feeders, and the kinds of birds that might chance on the new feeder.

If birds are slow to find feeders, the society recommends scattering sunflower seeds on top of the feeders and on nearby surfaces such as bare soil. Bird decoys may help to lure the first visitors, and other birds will soon notice the new food source.

-- www.audubon.org

GateHouse News Service

There are tons of home improvements started every day. Some where there is a homeowner who decides to do upgrades, replace carpet, maybe install vinyl siding, replacing some cabinets stone knobs, add a room or a garage with expensive Iron garage door hardware or completely paint the house inside and out. Whatever the project if you are not a handy person or your husband is not, then you are going to want to find and hire a contractor.

The first thing you need to do is locate one. There are plenty of places to get names of contractors. You can talk to your local hardware store, check with places like Lowe's or Home Depot, the yellow pages and maybe even the local bank and the local real estate offices, and of course friends who may have just had work done. Also check with your church members; there maybe contractors attending your church that may offer discounts for church members.

Second, once you have your list of contracts, decide on 3 or 4 that you are interested in and interview the contractors. Ask them questions concerning how long they have been in business, what areas they cover, do they charge for estimates, do they take care of acquiring any permits that might be needed, do they require any kind of down payment, methods of payments that are accepted and what kind of time frame before they can start a job. Another thing you want to make sure of is that they are licensed for the state where you live. You might also want to inquire how big of a crew they have especially if it is going to be a big project. An important thing to remember is that sometimes, contractors specialize in one type of improvement or remodel.

If your project contains several different areas for example electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and siding, make sure that one contractor can handle it or has subcontractors that they use regularly. If one of the contractors you are interviewing only has one expertise, and your project is multifaceted, than you will want to mark that one off the list and select another for an interview.

Next you will want to set up a time to discuss the project and ask for an estimate from your contractor. When the contractor arrives, make sure you have a list of exactly what you want done, where you want it done, and any specifics such as paint colors. Inquire exactly when they can have the bid or estimate back to you, and also if you have a specific time for when the project needs to be complete, make sure they know up front. If they are busy, they may not be able to complete the project for your time frame.
Last but not least, once you receive all your estimates, compare them to make sure the bids are for the same things and include everything on your list. If you are satisfied with the estimate, you are to the hard part and that is selecting the contractor you feel will do the best job. Talk it over with your spouse or significant other and make the decision together.

Once you have made your decision, alert the contractor so that they can get you scheduled and handle getting any material ordered, and you will want to sign a contract to get the work in place and provide any down payment to the contractor. Research is important when searching for the right contractor. Do your home work and your home work will turn out just like you wanted it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-search-for-home-improvement-contractors-932135.html