If you’re in a cold climate like I am, your landscaping is probably looking a little neglected. A few cold snaps will do that to any landscaping enthusiast. But, before you put your garden to bed for the winter, make sure you do these key landscaping projects (with or without a contractor):

The final leaf cleanup: If you dislike slugs like I do, it’s time to get the rest of those old leaves out of the garden. Otherwise, slugs will have a great place to give birth (to thousands like them) in the spring. Rake leaves into a pile in the backyard, cover them, and let them turn to leaf mulch. Or, bag them or rake them to the street for pickup. Just get them out from under plants, so you keep disease out of your garden.

Cover those roses: If you have tender roses, hydrangea, or other plants that need extra TLC, cover the base with a good six to eight inches of mulch. Then, put stakes around the area, and tie burlap around as a wind screen. Here are more landscaping tips to get roses through the winter.

Finalize fertilizing plans: In some parts of the country, it’s not too late to do a final lawn weed killer routine and a few other quick landscaping projects for maintenance. You’ll be happy in the spring.

Water your trees: Do this one last time to help them get through the winter, says Northerngardening.com. Then, remember to turn off the water supply to the outside, so the hose bib doesn’t freeze.

Clean the outside of your windows: This may sound silly when it’s 30 degrees out, but it will make you smile during the winter. At least, you’ll be able to see the snow falling down. Happy (almost) winter!

As Thanksgiving arrives, it’s time to set aside all the fixings and give thanks for all that’s good in home improvement:

The Right Contractor

If you’ve found a good remodeling contractor, give thanks. Many people struggle with bad contractors who provide shoddy home improvement service. A good contractor will:

• Return calls promptly and be on time for appointments
• Welcome your home improvement questions–even the ones about visiting past remodeling projects and talking to his clients
• Have a good reputation in the area and be on good credit terms with suppliers. When in doubt, call the local lumber yard and ask.

Here are tips for finding a reputable home improvement contractor and ways to ensure your remodeling project goes smoothly. (Hint: communication is key.)

The Right House

Your house doesn’t have to be perfect (yet!), but it should provide a comfortable place to live. If you have good traffic flow, a convenient location, an appealing exterior, and the basics you need inside, give thanks. You can always do a little home improvement to personalize it later.

The Right Basement for Remodeling

Nothing spoils a house like a bad basement, so if yours is, at least, usable, give thanks. If you can set up a playroom for the kids or a dry storage or laundry area, you’re way ahead of many people. If a little remodeling can make the basement shine, be thankful. If you have a wet basement, follow this advice from State Farm Insurance. Then, find a good contractor to help you fix it! Start with a landscaping contractor to see if your yard drainage and gutters funnel water away from the foundation.

See, you have lots of reasons to give thanks for home improvement. Now, back to that turkey!

Want to get your house in order before the holidays? Try these quick remodeling projects that can add a big bang for the buck (and the time invested!)

Add Hardwood Floors or Carpeting

Whether it’s hard wood or soft carpet, each can make a big impact with guests. Think about the look you want and whether a hard surface fits your needs. Wood is great from a design standpoint, but it won’t keep your feet warm in the winter.

One popular alternative is carpeting, which is sold in lots of colors and textures and can be installed quickly.

Before you start shopping, consider which type of carpeting fits your needs.

If you’re remodeling your foyer, consider marble or wood with a fancy stone border. In a small space, you can splurge on a little stone!

Replace your Kitchen Backsplash

The kitchen backsplash provides a large expanse for showcasing fine Italian marble, glass tiles, or hammered copper pieces. You can replace your kitchen backsplash in about three days, depending on how intricate the pattern. Here are ways to have fun with your kitchen backsplash.

Bathroom Sink, Vanity, and More

Next stop–the bathroom. Try replacing one or more of the following:

• Sink: Try a glass bowl
• Faucet: Look for a high arching stem
• Vanity: Consider wood with a dark glaze
• Shower curtain, towels and other accessories

Just remember to balance your wish list with reality. Bathroom remodeling can get a little pricey, so make sure your changes will add value for you or pay off when you sell.

And, for the finishing touches, try:

• Adding cinnamon pine cones around the house
• Cleaning your windows inside and out
• Placing garland and nice candles on the fireplace mantel

Use your down-time to spruce up your home, and you’ll enjoy being home for the holidays even more.

It’s tempting to get an estimate from a replacement windows contractor, and, then, walk away from the project… it’s his project now, right? Why should I put any more effort into this, you ask?

The problem with this type of home improvement approach is that it leaves you potentially vulnerable. You might find that:

• The contractor is making all the decisions and isn’t aware of your criteria. Wouldn’t you want to pick the replacement window style, color, and price?
• There are home improvement questions left unanswered, such as “what’s the warranty” and “should I go with vinyl clad on just the outside or on the inside as well?”

Benefits of Staying in the Home Improvement Game

When you’re part of the home improvement process, you’re part of the solution. Even the best contractor may not know your home improvement preferences and budget parameters. When it comes to replacement windows, it helps to make your opinion heard.

This includes not only design criteria, but also the details on replacement windows installation. You’ll want to make sure the contractor:

• Levels the replacement windows during installation
• Makes the replacement window openings plumb and square
• Seals any cracks around the windows

If you have experience in this area and have the time set aside, consider these replacement windows installation options from Familyhandyman.com. Just make sure you can block out the necessary time and have the tools to get the job done right.

Replacement windows can help create a dramatic transformation in your home. Don’t make the mistake of moving through the process too quickly. Careful planning can make a big difference in how the windows look, feel, and operate in your home.

Many kitchen remodeling projects center around the fancy cabinet design or the shiny new kitchen appliances. But, while these are important features, don’t forget to focus on a kitchen design that fits your lifestyle. Here’s a look at a few common scenarios:

The Busy Family Kitchen Design

Busy families need kitchen cabinets and appliance layouts that make it easy to feed kids efficiently. Use kitchen remodeling to reconfigure your space for:

• The kids area: Perhaps an island with refrigerated drawers for snacks and a bread warmer for keeping dinner warm.
• The microwave station: Build it into a drawer near the island for quick dinners.
• Multiple work stations: To suit different schedules, meal preferences, and cooking tastes–here’s more from Hometime.com on kitchen layouts and different work stations.

The Entertaining Family Kitchen Design

If you like to entertain, you’ll want a large island with seating. Try curving it to encourage conversation. You might also consider putting a double wall oven near the island for ease when serving.

Warming drawers and a wine cooler on the island also fit with this lifestyle. Just make sure the kitchen appliances are configured with enough space for opening cabinet doors and walking through the area. You might want aisles that are 48-inches wide to allow for guests to wander comfortably. For more functional tips, try the project planner from KraftMaid Cabinetry.

The Accessible Kitchen Design

Those wider aisles can also create space for wheelchair use. If you’re designing for the present, but also thinking about accessibility in the future, try these tips from Star Mark Cabinetry.

In the end, your lifestyle drives how you use your kitchen. So, think through your typical routine before committing to a kitchen cabinets and appliances layout.

Your house is your castle, and, sometimes, it needs a little protection. In today’s world, consider crime as a natural possibility in any community. Here’s a look at some home improvement changes to help boost your home security. Some of these projects require help from a contractor, but others are easily done by home owners.

To create a home security plan, walk around your home at night and look for possible hiding places or areas that aren’t well lit. Here’s more from MSN Real Estate on boosting home security.

Exterior Home Improvement

Outdoor lighting is one of the best deterrents to crime. Consider putting flood lights with a motion sensor near back doors, side doors, and the garage. You’ll want more decorative lights by your front door, but they also can be positioned to shine light in a wide arc. Ask a local lighting contractor for details or try this outdoor lighting primer from Cornerhardware.com.

The Lowdown on Home Security Systems

If you’re considering a home security system, you’ll be surprised at all the high tech options. Among the features to consider are:

• Motion detectors: a great resource for basements, front doors, and other first floor entry points–possibly problematic for households with pets or small children, however.
• Video cameras: ideal in urban areas where crime rates are higher.
• Home security systems that tie into the fire department: Great protection when you’re not home.

Landscaping for Home Security

Landscaping is another source of protection against burglars. Make sure bushes are trimmed, so they don’t provide a hiding place near doors and windows. If you have windows that are particularly vulnerable to burglars, consider adding thorny bushes to keep trouble at bay.

Kitchen cabinets are highly visible design features and represent an important investment in your home. To avoid buyer’s remorse when kitchen remodeling, avoid these common mistakes when selecting kitchen cabinets.

• Skimping on the cost: Yes, you want a good value, but don’t buy the cheapest kitchen cabinets around. You’ll notice it every day in the way the doors hang on the frames, how the hinges operate, and many other functional areas.
• Hiring the wrong contractor: The installation is also important, so make sure the contractor you hire has experience in this area. Look at the contractor’s previous kitchen remodeling projects for clues. Make sure he or she knows how to:
  • Level the floor and the cabinets for a good fit
  • Measure exactly to avoid any gaps in the cabinetry line
  • Troubleshoot any problems with the order to expedite any returns or exchanges
• Overlooking the island kitchen cabinets: Many kitchen islands take on a life of their own, so pay attention to the design and function when selecting those cabinets. Some people just add up the number of cabinets and put some on the island, but that can lead to incorrect sizing for the use. Don’t make these mistakes with island kitchen cabinets or it will show.

Kitchen Cabinets: The Right Way

Selecting kitchen cabinets is a process with many steps. Look through magazines and websites for ideas, visit stores, and ask friends about brands they recommend. Then, do some research into how kitchen cabinets are made, so you can judge quality.

Don’t rush through this important decision, as you’ll be living with the results for years to come!

All it takes is a sink full of dirty dishes to make you realize the importance of your dishwasher. Our dishwasher broke one evening, and it took a few weeks to find a new one and have it delivered–paper plates, anyone?

A Primer on Kitchen Appliances

If you’re planning a kitchen remodeling project or looking to revamp your space with new kitchen appliances, consider a few tips:

Your cooking style:If you eat out a lot, put more money into a fancy microwave rather than double wall ovens. If you entertain kids at the kitchen island, try a refrigerated drawer for snacks. If you don’t always have a full load of dishes, check out dishwashing drawers, says dishwasherguru.com.

High tech kitchen appliances are everywhere: From induction cooking to refrigerators with sophisticated temperature sensors for food storage, technology is driving many kitchen appliances. The good news: many of these features are trickling down to moderately-priced appliances. Here are some high tech kitchen appliances to consider.

Don’t forget function: Look beyond the glitz of stainless steel appliances to how the kitchen appliances will function. If it’s a dishwasher, do you need the jet spray to remove caked on food? With a range, do you want a few high BTU burners for added sizzle? Also, consider the size of the refrigerator and range as you plan your kitchen remodeling project, as it’s tough to make extra room for large appliances later.

Compare prices: The Internet makes it easy to comparison shop, whether you’re looking for stainless steel appliances or one high performing range. Just make sure you’re comparing appliances with the same features. Also, think about your priorities–consider spending more on features you’ll use every day versus those that are great for show.

When planning your kitchen remodeling project, remember: function is as important as style, especially when it comes to appliances.