Be Your Own Handyman (or Handywoman) With These Tips

Home equity is very important in today’s real estate market. Not many people have any, and those that do, often have very little. To make sure that you get the best bang for your buck in terms of equity and resale value, follow the tips and suggestions in this article.

Before beginning, home improvements apply for the appropriate building permits. Any home improvement that involves plumbing, electricity or structural changes can require a permit. Check your local laws. If you proceed without a permit then you can be fined or it could make the house harder to sell in the future.

When working with a contractor to do a home renovation, decide on the whole project at the beginning and stick to that plan. Constantly changing the plan can slow down the renovation process and scare off your contractor from doing anything independently. Also, constantly changing renovations often end up looking piecemeal, since they weren’t created with a clear vision in mind.

Put in an outdoor motion detector for your outside lighting. This way the lights will only be on when they are activated and not all day or all night unnecessarily. Most people don’t need their outside lights other than when they come home or leave after dark.

If you don’t want to have a toilet that won’t stop running, try checking the flapper valve. Flapper valves act as rubber seals for the tank and allow water in and out. Pull the siphon from the tank and examine the valve. If it’s dirty, clean it. If it’s broken, replace the valve with a new one.

Attaching two PVC pipes is a simple process that requires PVC primer and PVC cement. It is important that you use these specific products as your pipe will not hold with any other glues or cements and it may be prone to leaking if you avoid a coat of primer. The surfaces of the pipes should also be water-free.

Never neglect an electrical system upgrade when you are making home improvements preparatory to selling your house. Older houses are woefully unequipped for the demands of modern appliances and electronics. Even recently-built homes may lack the power systems that the latest gadgets require. Installing a fully up-to-date electrical service will make your home stand out to potential buyers.

Replacing a roof can be one of a homeowner’s biggest expenses. It is something that you can not avoid you should be sure to get a fee quotes before choosing a roofer. There are numerous options for roofing materials ranging from lightweight tiles to metal roofing, as well as more traditional materials like composite shingles. Have your contractor help you make a decision.

With the housing market still being so depressed, it can seem like a waste of money to even do any remodeling on your home. But the truth of the matter is that buyers are still expecting a certain level of updates in the homes that they purchase. Following these tips will ensure that you have what buyers want.