As a first-time homeowner there are likely a lot of projects that you want to get done. Keeping your home in good health and your budget in good health means you will have to learn some DIY. There are some home improvement projects that any novice can take on and find success with. Starting out with simple home improvement tasks will help to build confidence so you can move on to more complex projects down the road.
Address the Things That Affect Health First
If your list of potential home improvement projects is long, you can pair it down by making decisions based on necessity first. Health and home welfare improvements should always take priority. For example, a damp basement is not only a threat to the safety of the structure of your home, but it is also a health risk.
Another health threat is weak or splintering deck wood. Replacing deck boards should be moved to the top of the list. Having a list of the projects that you plan will keep you on track.
Keep Your Wallet in Good Health
On average, American homeowners spend about $13,000 on home improvement projects in 2020, which is about a 50% increase over 2019. As a new homeowner, it can be difficult to even think about coming up with that type of money.
About 32% of home buyers are first-time buyers, which means you are not alone. Luckily, there are plenty of projects that you can get done on your own just like other first-time homeowners have learned to do to keep their wallets in good health.
At Minimum Your Can Do These Projects
Even if you have no experience in home improvement, there are projects that you can complete with little effort. Here are some things that you can do that will get your home in great shape and help you save.
- Painting. Painting your new home will add an instant upgrade. It will also personalize the space to your taste and design choices.
- Landscaping. Landscaping is easy although it is hard on the body. It does take a lot of physical labor investment, but if you are in good health, it can easily add 12% value to your home.
- Replace the water heater. A water heater may seem complicated, but it is literally two pipes, one in and one out. You can do this.
Simple tasks can have a big impact. According to a 2013 home remodeling survey, about 20.3% of home improvements were focused on exterior work. As a new homeowner, it is strongly suggested before you consider replacing exterior siding or other exterior features you work on the interior of the home. Focus on health and welfare improvement needs, then move on to the other interior home improvements. Exterior improvements can wait until all the interior projects are complete.
Don’t Skip The Prep Work
A new home is exciting, and you may feel pressed to make those home improvement changes. However, do not get so excited about the project at hand that you forget to get the prep work done first. For example, before diving into that painting project, take the time to go around the room and fill in any nail holes, and tape off areas that you do not want to paint. One of the keys to getting a professional finish is to prepare the surface for the paint.
Read the instructions all the way through. For example, if you decide that replacing the water heater is a must for the health and welfare of your family, make sure that you read the operating manual from cover to cover before you ever pick up a wrench.
Owning a home is a huge responsibility. You and you alone are responsible for all the decisions, improvements, and repairs. Get started on the simple projects and before you know it you will be taking on all the big ones as well.
