Which home improvement projects should you DIY, and which ones require professional help? We have all heard the old saying, “you get what you pay for.” But sometimes it’s what you should have paid for that ends up costing the most money, time, and energy. Here, we break down the dos and don’ts of do-it-yourself home improvement projects.

DO: Start a Garden

Almost anyone can tackle this easy home improvement project. Simply decide where you’d like , what you’d like to see pop up (flowers? vegetables?) and grab your gardening gloves. Of course, the condition of your soil will make a difference, and supplementing may be necessary. Soil lacking in minerals and nutrients may need . Before getting started on your dream garden, it’s a good idea to have the soil pH evaluated since plants can’t properly take in nutrients if the pH balance is off. Check your state’s to see if they offer soil evaluations.

DO: Create a Backyard Oasis

If you can dream it, you can achieve it – at least when it comes to the look and feel of your backyard’s overall design. From colorful throw pillows (in outdoor fabrics, of course) to furniture in low-maintenance materials like rattan to clever storage units that double as tables or footstools – it’s fun to create an entertaining yet relaxing space that meets your family’s needs.

DON’T: Paint High Ceilings

Ask anyone who’s tried to paint a ceiling and you’re sure to get a grimace and lots of head shaking. It’s not an easy project, but it with proper preparation. Rookie mistakes include forgetting to lock your pets out of the room (while you’re on a ladder looking up… with a paint roller above you — need we say more?), trying to paint over a popcorn ceiling without first removing the texture, and the most non-intuitive mistake in painting- leaving overlap marks because you took your time. Proceed with caution on this DIY home improvement project.

DON’T: Tile Kitchen Backsplashes or Floors

Your kitchen is the most high-traffic area in your home, and likely one of the first things guests will notice when they walk in the front door. So why take chances trying to affix a backsplash or lay down a complicated tile pattern on the floor? Unlike painting where you want to keep up the pace to avoid leaving marks, you definitely prepping surfaces and spreading grout. A bad DIY tile job can be spotted a mile away and usually comes with a side of regret.

DON’T: Lay Carpet

Avoid this DIY home improvement project at all costs, if possible! requires a lot of muscle, specialized tools, equipment, and know-how. Not to mention, carpeting can be expensive and needs to be precisely measured and cut, considering the transition areas near the borders of the room. It’s hard to get the measurements right, and most DIY carpet projects end up looking like a big mess. Carpet also needs to acclimate to your climate and setting – and who wants to guess at the length of time needed for that? Definitely not recommended unless you’re a pro.

DEFINITELY DON’T: Tackle Complicated Plumbing Projects

The rule when it comes to plumbing is simple: measure twice, cut once, then call the plumber. Sure, you may be able to fix a small leak under the sink, but you may also make it worse and ruin your hardwood floors or carpet. More complicated jobs, such as trying to repair a leak in your sewer line, could be dangerous because those lines contain toxic materials.

It’s best to know your limits when tackling DIY projects. Do what you can, realistically, and leave the rest to the professionals. That way, you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy your home’s beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.

Lee Campbell is a house flipper, landlord, and freelance writer. He loves to remodel and refurbish older homes and like most aspiring writers, is working on his novel.

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Home improvement is often a costly expense, but it is often necessary, especially if there are damages in your home that need to be fixed. Improving your property does not only come when you want to update its appearance. Sometimes, you need to do it for maintenance purposes.

If you find yourself in a situation where work is needed but you do not have enough money to facilitate it, research and consider the following options for financing home improvement projects:

Home Equity Line of Credit

There are many options available for . One of such is the home equity line of credit (HELOC). HELOCs have been the favorite go-to for many homeowners who want to finance their home improvement projects.

Technically considered a second mortgage, this option allows you to borrow money from your home’s equity with your house serving as the collateral. The HELOC may have a fixed rate (not common) or variable rate (something to consider as it impacts monthly payments). The rate options underscore the importance of being very careful when choosing a HELOC.

Home Equity Loans

Aside from HELOC, there is another option that also allows you to tap into your property’s equity. A home equity loan is also considered as a second mortgage, with your home as collateral. Unlike HELOC, the home equity loan is a fixed-rate loan with a lump sum and term, which means that the interest does not fluctuate.

To qualify for a home equity loan, you often must have a loan-to-value ratio of less than 80%. This means that you will need to have at least 20% equity of your home’s appraised value. Additionally, you will also need to pay for closing costs on the loan amount, just like you paid for closing costs with your first mortgage.

For many financial experts, the home equity loan would be a safer choice for financing small or big home improvement projects due to the predictable payments. If you know how much you need and you are certain of making on-time payments, a home equity loan could suit you well.

Personal Loans

If you are not qualified to acquire a home equity loan, you can always resort to personal loans. The personal loan lender will not base your loan on your property’s value. Instead, the loan will be based on your financial credentials, such as your credit score.

You must have a good credit score to get the best loan terms possible. However, there are many options to research when seeking a loan, .

Many lenders online are willing to provide you with the amount that you need for your home improvement project. But these loan offers often come with some additional requirements, which can be a guarantor or collateral. These additional requirements serve as a form of security for the lender and a guarantee that you will pay the amount you borrowed on time.

Credit Cards

If you have a credit card, you can use it for financing home improvement projects, especially if you only need minor repairs or replacements. You can pay for the materials you need for the project using a credit card. Nowadays, most stores accept credit cards as payment, so it will be easy to use your card when shopping for materials.

Additionally, you can ask your contractor if they also accept credit cards as payment for their services. If not, then you can visit the nearest ATM and withdraw cash using your credit card. This process is called a credit card loan, where you are borrowing money against your credit card.

A credit card loan is one way to acquire fast cash anytime you need it, but keep in mind that interest rates on credit cards are typically much higher than HELOCs, home equity loans, and personal loans. There are also limits on the cash that you can borrow, which will be based on your available credit.

Borrowing from Family or Friends

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you badly need to repair something or make home improvements but cannot use the other options discussed, then you can opt to seek help from a family or a friend.

If you borrow money from your family members or friends, make sure that you make it as professional as possible. You should pay the money back on time as agreed upon by both parties. It is also best that you offer interest in exchange for accessing the funds.

We recommend that you create an agreement and have both parties sign it. This way, you can document the terms of the loan in case future clarification is needed.Ěý It may also prevent your relationship from getting damaged because of borrowed money!

In Conclusion

There are to help you finance your home improvement project. If you are considering making improvements to your home, explore all the options we have discussed and choose the one that best suits your needs and repayment capabilities.

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Do you live somewhere where blizzards are a regular part of your winter life? Many homeowners struggle with having to get ready for a harsh season and harsh conditions hitting their home. Let’s go through a checklist of what you can do to get your home ready for winter.

Stock Up

Now let’s not go toilet paper crazy like we saw in the early months of COVID-19, but it may be a good idea to get a few essential items before being trapped inside because of a blizzard. De-icing salt, shovels, flashlights and batteries are all great items to pick up.Ěý You’ll want flashlights and batteries, just in case the power goes out. The salt is a necessity for many homeowners since oftentimes driveways and walkways get very slick during winter, while the shovel will come in handy once snow starts to build up and you have to dig your doorway or garage out. If you live in an apartment or rented property, the chances are your landlord has hired a service to salt and plow these areas, so you luck out!

Backup Power

As mentioned above, a big storm can wipe out power in your neighborhood easily. Flashlights, cell phones or candles can help you get along without the lights but what about heat? It can become dangerous, and fast, if you live in extreme cold climates and don’t have access to heat. To keep everyone in the home safe, it’s a good idea to buy a back-up generator. The generator will kick in once your original source of power turns off and all electrical utilities will keep running.

Prevent Flooding

Large amounts of snow or freezing rain can cause flood damage to your home if not taken care of properly. The low temperatures can freeze the water in your pipes and make them burst. Large amounts of snow on the roof can also cause leaks or damage to the home due to the constant freezing and melting from fluctuating temperatures during the storm. Lastly, if large amounts of snow start to melt fully, it has the potential flood basements. To prevent destruction like this, make sure to remove as much snow as possible from outside vents. Also check your gutters from ice dams and remove if necessary.

Movies and More

Now that we’ve gone over all the not-so-fun stuff when it comes to preventing damage to your home and staying safe, let’s go over what you can do while stuck inside! Even though blizzards don’t sound like fun, you and roommates or family can take advantage of this time and watch some classic movies or play some games. If you hear of a storm coming in, run to your local discount store and dig through the old movie bin and pick out some favorites and some tasty snacks or grab a fun group game.

The most important thing to remember when preparing for a winter storm is safety first. Stock up on the right supplies, get some back-up equipment and perform a check on your home’s exterior. Once you do all those things, go ahead and enjoy some time in your cozy home.

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With the autumn season in full force and Thanksgiving approaching, you may want your home to feel cozy and fall-themed. Here are nine Thanksgiving DIY projects to celebrate the Thanksgiving season this year.

A chalkboard menu is a versatile creation because it doubles as a functional item and as decor that can be used in your home in every season. You can use a frame you already own or purchase a vintage one from an antique or thrift store. Purchase a thin piece of wood that will fit inside the frame and paint it with black chalkboard paint. Voila! You have a lovely framed piece of chalkboard to use for your Thanksgiving menu and beyond. To add some autumnal flair, decorate the corners of the frame with faux leaves or gold glitter:

Centerpieces can completely transform the look of your dining table. You can DIY a centerpiece for your autumn tablescape by simply arranging fall-colored flowers in a mason jar, placing candles on a piece of wood from the craft store, or even painting pumpkins. Whatever centerpiece you choose to DIY, it will take minimal effort to create something beautiful.

If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at your home, place settings are a great way to add some noticeable decorations without completely cluttering your dinner table. Take a miniature pumpkin or gourd and tie your favorite cloth ribbon or twine around it. Write or print each guest’s name onto a card and attach this to the pumpkin. These place settings are decorative and functional, and each guest can take theirs home as a souvenir, too.

The holidays bring the season of giving, and what is better to give than gratitude? You can practice gratitude throughout the Thanksgiving season by doing “thankful for” activities by yourself or with your family. Create a “Thanksgiving tree” by hanging paper leaves with notes of thankfulness on dry sticks or a shrub in your home. Make a thankfulness jar by submitting a note of what you and your family are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving and read the notes on Thanksgiving Day. Or you can keep a gratitude journal during this season and challenge yourself to write in it each day.

Carving pumpkins is a great Halloween tradition, but pumpkin decorations can last through the fall season, too. This year, decorate pumpkins (either faux or real) with paint, glitter, or ribbon and use them as Thanksgiving decorations throughout your home.

Your home may smell delicious when you’re cooking on Thanksgiving Day, but what about throughout the rest of the month? You can easily spread lovely fall scents throughout your home by simmering some spices and citrus peels in a pot of water over your stove or dropping some essential oils on pinecones and placing them around your home.

Dried corn husks make for great DIY supplies, and you can dry these yourself or order some on Amazon. Keep the corn husks their natural color or paint them a color of your choosing, then arrange them in the shape of a wreath to hang behind a chair at your table or on a door in your home. This is a great project that you can reuse year after year.

Pinecones make great decorations throughout fall and winter, from the start of Halloween through the end of the Christmas season, but they are especially lovely during Thanksgiving. You can decorate your house with dry pinecones by arrange them as a table centerpiece, setting them atop your counter with candles, or even stacking them in a glass jar with some white lights and faux leaves. Pinecones are versatile and affordable decorations, so no matter how you arrange them, they are sure to spruce up any home.

You can make a fall garland out of anything, but using paintable items is a great way to put your own spin on a timeless decoration. Purchase some fall leaves at an affordable price and decorate them using white paint and gold glitter. Arrange them in a pattern with some lightweight faux acorns and even pinecones, and you have the perfect Thanksgiving decoration to match the atmosphere of your home. There are many ways to DIY a garland, so put your own spin on it to achieve a look that you love.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of »ĘąÚĚĺÓýapp International. This post was written by Bailee Abell.ĚýBailee Abell is a writer born and raised in California. A graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, she loves reading classic literature, sipping warm beverages, and visiting theme parks every chance she gets. Find her at .Ěý

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