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There are a lot of homeowners who are afraid to engage in home improvement projects. They worry that such work is dusty, costly and a real time drain. Fears can be reduced by having plenty of knowledge. There are many tips and techniques that will make home improvement projects easy. The following information can help you do just that.









Use fans as much as possible to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer. A ceiling fan does an excellent job of circulating air, thereby making any room much cooler. Making good use of ceiling and portable fans can ease the drain on your air conditioning, reducing your monthly electric bill.



A great way to make your home look new again is to slap on a new coat of paint on the outside of your home. If you choose a brighter color, your house will glow like a new pearl and will be the envy of everyone on your neighborhood block.



Make your house energy efficient by placing weather striping in your doors and windows. This is a cheap fix but can save you lots of money on heating and cooling costs for your home. It will also make those cold nights a whole lot less chilly indoors.



If you have tiles in your bathroom, make sure to use bath rugs in front of your toilet and bathtub. Adding bath rugs not only adds a touch of personality to your bathroom, but also keeps you from slipping and falling; try rugs with different patterns and designs for a look that is uniquely your own.



Change your shower curtain once a month. Showering produces excessive humidity in a bathroom that in turn causes shower curtains to develop mold and mildew. To keep your space fresh and healthy, replace your curtains. Don't buy expensive plastic curtains with hard to find designs, and you won't feel bad about replacing it.



If you are looking for a functional home improvement project, try &building up.& Walls create a lot of wasted space. Add matching bookcases in your living room or build a window seat where your family can sit and read. Simple projects like these can make every space in your home usable and valuable to your family.



If you have extra paint left over from a recent project, store it in a glass jar rather than leaving it in the paint can. You will be able to instantly tell what the color is without going through the messy ordeal of opening the lid of the paint can.






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To save on your energy bill, try changing your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs cost more than regular light bulbs, but use less energy to light your home and last longer. You should see returns on your monthly energy bill in no time after replacing all of the normal bulbs in your home with these.



Avoid hiring an unlicensed contractor at all costs. General contractors as well as sub contractors are required to have certification in most states. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. Most importantly, a contractor without a proper license is likely not carrying proper professional insurance, making them especially risky to work with.



A great home improvement tip is to hire a good architect or designer if you are not one yourself. Even though this will cost you money, you need to spend money in order to make good plans that work. In addition, you may need a permit or license for certain zoning or environmental restrictions. Professionals are needed to let you know of these things and to give http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/hagerstown-man-pleads-guilty-to-skipping-out-on-home-improvement/article_87647b18-97ec-11e6-99c7-17755ba64019.html on the permits or licenses that are needed.



While new home builders are now required to install only low-flow toilets, older homes rarely have efficient plumbing; an older toilet can use more than three gallons of water per flush; a new low-flow commode will use less than half of that amount, making it a wise investment that can save money on your water costs.



Unless a homeowner is just fixing a drain, it is critical that he make a list of all the materials that will be required to complete a proposed home improvement project. Many things can be bought in bulk which will save money. You should also make your orders ahead of time for items that may take longer to deliver. You will have to order them well in advance in order to prevent your project from being held up.



Now that you have a basic understanding of home improvement, in general and the types of projects you should be looking into, you can see how it has the potential to benefit the quality of your home, as well as, your bottom line. You're ready to get out there and tackle the weekend.