Cold air drafts are not much fun, particularly if you live in the Midwest. This is the time of year when many people realize their windows are not sealed very well. Blasting the heat doesn’t help, as some of that expensive heat will literally go right out the window.

Tax Credits for Replacement Windows

The obvious solution is asking a contractor to install replacement windows, as these can provide a great long term benefit. You’ll stay warm and help reduce your heating bills. There also are government tax credits available for some replacement windows. Just make sure the windows you want qualify and make sure to keep your receipt. Unfortunately, the cost of the contractor doesn’t qualify.

Replacement Window Options

If you can’t afford replacement windows, try a few winterizing techniques. If you have just a few windows to do, this home improvement project should be pretty easy. If you have a whole house to do, take notes on the condition of each window. You may have some that need wood shims around the edges while others just need a little of that spongy foam to block small leaks.

Home Improvement Store Ideas

One inexpensive fix is to use shrink wrap, which can be found at most home improvement stores. You can use a hairdryer or other heat source to shrink the plastic to create a tight seal. It may not look great, but it does keep the windows sealed, and it’s not a major home improvement project. For an even easier fix, regular plastic and duct tape should work.

Another option is to buy or make heavy window treatments. Drapes are best, particularly those that hang down to the floor. Look for ones with a heavy, insulated lining. For maximum protection, do as much as you can to seal the leaks and then add drapes.

Here’s to a happy and warm winter!

If your windows have the blahs, consider dressing them up with blinds or drapes. Adding a rich fabric or a sleek metal blind can do wonders for your home and provide a quick home improvement fix for you. The tricky part is…how do you decide between these two popular window treatment styles?

Choosing Window Treatments

The answer depends on your style and the size and shape of the windows. Blinds typically are more casual window treatments, well-suited for a bathroom or kitchen where the high style of draperies is not the norm. They really fit in any room, but the focus is on showing the woodwork around the window and simply blocking the light and sprucing up the window.

Blinds also are ideal for tight spaces where there just isn’t room for stacking the fabric along the window casing. A kitchen window above the countertop is just one example. In home improvement land, this is called making the best of what you have.

When one gets into drapes as a window treatment, the look changes. Drapes can be floor length or hang to just below the window framing. These often provide more energy efficiency, as they can block harmful sun rays and keep the chill out of the house. While drapes are sold at many stores, there also are online window treatment sites that let you design your own. This is great if you’ve got odd shaped windows that just won’t mesh with store bought standard sizes.

Window Treatments: A Word of Caution

Before buying window treatments, consider your skill in installation. Will you need a contractor to help or can you install them yourself? Many blinds are easy to install with a drill and screw driver. Some drapes that are heavy and will be mounted on long rods might require a contractor or handyman’s help.

Now, the hard part is selecting the color, pattern, and style–fodder for another day!

So, you’ve got a few small home repair projects on your list. How do you find the right contractor? Most big remodeling contractors don’t want small jobs, but are they too specialized for a handyman service?

What Handyman Services Do

The answers depends on the type of remodeling work. If you’re trying to get some insulation in the attic or crown molding installed in the dining room, many handyman services do that type of work. Some people can even do crown molding installation without a contractor.

When it comes to fixing a boiler or a water issue in the basement, it might be too involved for a handyman service. You may want a contractor with heating and cooling expertise or who works for a waterproofing company. On larger projects, you also want someone with insurance.

Handyman or Contractor?

Here’s an interesting thread on the whole handyman service topic. You can see that it’s the larger projects that are less suited for most handyman services or individuals. They may not have the expertise or workers to do a full kitchen remodeling, for example.

Define Remodeling Project

The first step is to define the project(s). What’s involved and how extensive are the repairs? If you’re not sure, start with a contractor you know and explain the projects. They should tell you right away if the projects are too small.

Then call a few handyman services and ask them what they offer. How many workers do they have and what are their backgrounds? Ask a few to stop by the house to look at the work. Here are some good questions to ask when interviewing a handyman service.

In the end, it’s okay to simply ask someone if the job fits their skills or is too small or big for them to handle. Better to ask upfront then be surprised in the middle of the remodeling work!

Looking for an easy way to add space to your home? Try fixing up the basement.

Many basements are underutilized, either because of fear of the unknown or a lack of planning. While any water issues should be addressed before basement remodeling begins, many basements just need a little TLC (and a contractor or two).

Basement Remodeling

When moving into a house, it’s easy to stick everything you’re not using in the basement to sort out “later.” If you’re looking for extra space, why not make that “later” now and do a little basement remodeling?

The beauty of basement remodeling is that you don’t have to do an expensive room addition. You often need a contractor, but can sometimes do the initial cleaning, demolition and planning yourself. One tricky part is getting over the psychological hurdle about your basement. It doesn’t have to be a dark, damp place used for storage only. A little basement lighting, paint, and planning can do wonders.

Basement Remodeling: Where to Start

Start by walking through the space and taking notes. With a little home improvement, can you carve out a home office? Can you remodel your way to more storage and perhaps an exercise room? When it comes to basements, home owners often want the following home improvement fixes:

• Better basement lighting
• More storage space
• Casual family room space
• Space for doing crafts or woodworking

Basement remodeling can be a great way to open up your space without doing an expensive room addition. Before starting such a home improvement project, make sure the space can handle it structurally and that any water seepage issues are addressed first.

In many cases, basement remodeling can be done in phases, making it easier to plan and pay for. In the end, you get more usable space without having to tear into your yard for a room addition.

Checking the roof for damage may not sound as exciting as remodeling the bathroom, but it’s a must do this time of year.

This is one home improvement project people tend to put off until there is a problem. By that time, it might be too late to salvage the roof or avoid interior damage. That’s why it’s a good idea to examine your roof a few times a year and after any major storms.

Checking the Roof

Of course, roof inspection is ideal if one has a tall, sturdy ladder and can handle the height. Otherwise, call a roofing contractor to get their assessment. Also glance out the windows to see if you see any spots where shingles are missing or worn.

There are several ways to tell if your roof has problems beyond the obvious holes and major wear and tear. Here’s a look at what a roofing contractor would check. One good tip is to check the downspouts for shingle granular that have washed off. This means the shingles are wearing out.

The Roof, The Chimney, What Else?

When checking the roof, one also should take a look at the chimney, as it could need home improvement help. Oftentimes, the roof might be leaking down the chimney or the chimney might be leaking into the fireplace. One never knows, so it pays to check the condition of the mortar and any point where the roof meets the chimney. It should have tight seals so no water gets through.

During an inspection one should understand the layout of the roof. This diagram helps show common problems, such as algae growth and curling, which can be indicators that a new roof is needed.

The roof should be a key part of any home improvement check up. Hopefully, an inspection finds nothing to fix or simply minor repair items.

Hurry. The relatives are coming. Time to makeover the house! No, this isn’t a new reality T.V. show, just the common seasonal craziness for home improvement folks. It seems there’s always something to do to get your house ready for guests.

You may be amazed how easy it is to do quick home improvement changes–even in a weekend. Grab that tool belt, some paint, and away you go. Some home improvement fixes might require a contractor, but others are easy to tackle yourself.

Which Home Improvement Projects?

When deciding which home improvement projects to do, think about your household routine. Pick a weekend when you don’t have other social commitments. The key is to get things done without driving yourself crazy. Even though these are easy projects, allow yourself some extra time to finish them.

When painting a bathroom, for example, remember there are more cut-ins because of the shower, tub, vanity, etc. The room is small, but you have more detail work so plan accordingly.

Quick Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom remodeling also has its quick and easy moments.

• Reduce clutter–simplify the look of the bathroom
• Replace the shower curtain
• Add new towels
• Think about different paint colors
• For the DIY-er, consider adding new wall tile

For projects such as adding wall tile, you may want to work with a contractor. Otherwise, these home design changes should be easy to accomplish–easier than trying to fit in a full bathroom remodel in a weekend.

Home Design Changes for Thanksgiving

If you’re looking toward Thanksgiving, try these inexpensive home design decorations:

• Buy new tablecloths and napkins
• Get creative with a Fall-themed centerpiece
• Try your hand at Thanksgiving displays
• Consider scented candles
• Pumpkin serving bowls can be a treat

With inexpensive and easy decorations, no contractor is needed to bring life to your home during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Now it’s time to get to work on those minor and easy-to-finish changes–no time to delay!

When it comes to home design, the guest room is often the forgotten space until the holidays roll around. Most of the year, guest rooms are filled with storage boxes, an ironing board, and left over craft supplies. Until you decide to move into Home Design 101 mode, the room lacks excitement.

Home Design Updates: The Guest Room

The good news is that redecorating a guest room can be a fun and easy home improvement project. You might be able to do it yourself or hire a contractor for odds and ends, like building bookshelves or adding decorative trim. The key to guest room home improvement is to understand the audience.

Is it an elderly aunt? You might want a contractor to install new bathroom floor tile with added texture to prevent slipping, for example.

Or, will there be young kids in the room? Try a bin full of toys and stuffed animals.

Home Improvement Musts

Here are some common home design must haves for a guest room:

• Comfy bedding, pillows and rugs–you want guests to think they are in a fine hotel
• Reading material–whether it’s for a 4-year-old or a 45-year-old
• Good lighting–the proper lighting can make a room feel welcoming and inviting

If you’ve got a connecting bathroom focus on some quick home improvements–new tile, mirrors, faucet and towels can help transform a room.

Home Design Fit For a King

In the end, you should have a guest room that takes your home design to new levels without taking it too far off course. Stick with the same style and color palette found in the rest of the house. A few quick home improvement projects–plus the robe and slippers–and your guests can know they’re on vacation.

If your bathroom has the blahs, try changing out a few products using today’s design trends. Furniture styled vanities, glass wall tile, and a decorative chandelier can turn your space around in short order.

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t have to involve a major gutting and reconfiguring. You just have to find the right contractor (or have the skills yourself) and add some creative touches. Pick and choose a few places where a new product can make a difference.

Bathroom Remodeling: Your Vanity

Start with the vanity area. Many people focus their bathroom remodeling around furniture styled pieces. The vanity is the perfect place for that, as it is a key focal point in the room. While some wooden vanities are over the top cost-wise, shop around and you should be able to find one in your budget. Look for carved legs, fluted vertical molding and fancy hardware to top it off.

If you’re handy or have a contractor who does small jobs, you can take a basic vanity and add molding and a rich, dark stain. This can save the cost of buying a vanity with all the details. Plus, you get to design it yourself.

Light Up Your Bathroom Design

Lighting is another hot item to consider when planning your new bathroom design. Decorative sconces can spruce up the mirror above your new bathroom vanity. Or, go with a fancy chandelier for a whole different look. (Unless you’ve installed electrical products, check with a contractor on this one).

The wall above the vanity offers endless possibilities for self expression. Glass wall tile is just one option. Glass tiles come in a rainbow of colors and treatments, from muted to crystal clear and can work with any bathroom remodeling design. Check out this blue wall tile design.

There are many ways to do a bathroom remodeling on a modest budget. Just be selective about what you replace and think about what could bring the most drama for the buck.