Home Improvement Appliances

Have you had time to browse through TradHome? Congratulations to Michelle, Patrick and the entire TradHome team for a spectacular premier issue. I snuck in a very quick peek and absolutely LOVE it. Will have to return later after I get stuff did

Speaking of which, let me introduce you to a new home improvement project that is underway at casa hidalgo.

Basement makeover + reno (partial)

A modest ceiling insulation project has now turned into a partial remodel of our basement. When I say we, it’s really hubby but I am helping as much as I can.

All I can say the demo last night was HUGE for us. I

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Have you thought about remodeling your home? Have you often wondered what the best home improvement projects will be the best investment for you and your family? How do you know if the money you are willing to invest in improving your home is going to be worth it? If these questions have ever crossed your mind and you are looking to improve your home but dont know where to start or what the best home improvement projects will be, here is a list of some of the best home improvement investments.

1.   Remodeling your kitchen may seem like a tedious task and at first, sounds like a large investment. While this may be true if deciding to remodel the entire kitchen, doing smaller remodeling projects to your kitchen may also prove to be just as worth it as remodeling the entire kitchen. Investing in changes to your lighting fixtures, cabinets, countertops, or even updating your sink fixtures can provide just enough of an improvement to modernize the look and feel of your kitchen. T Read more…

In my last half dozen blogs Ive been urging homeowners to be cautious about the dangerous potential of grandiosity in their plans for home improvement. Experts have been warning homeowners and DIYers for almost a year now to use the current housing stall to make modest improvements, rather than embark on huge undertakings that can be killers to returns on investments come valuation time.

As early as last May,  M.P. McQueen wrote a piece for The Wall Street Journal entitled The News Rules of Remodeling.  At that time the writer gazed at the free-fall created by foreclosures and plummeting prices, telling readers to perform gradual improvements, say to the kitchen and bath.

Even homeowners in Californias volatile Silicon Valley saw small gains by performing bite-sized upgrades in paint, under-cabinet kitchen lighting, opening up tight doorways and other cost-effective changes. R

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In the heart of winter, it can be easy to let go of your commitment to fix up your home. There are some advantages to doing home improvement projects in the winter: your contractor may have more time for you and may charge less as the company appreciates the work. And if youre housebound, its a great opportunity to handle small-scale repairs or improvements your own.

By now youve had enough utility bills to compare with last year and see if your home or heating system is performing up to snuff. Do a walk-through of your home and list the small things you intend to do before spring. Adding or replacing weather stripping is an excellent idea, as is installing smoke alarms you meant to put in last summer. Neither of these simple upgrades will add noise or pollutants to your home as you do them.

Winter Projects to Consider

If you hadnt noticed, the home improvement stores are less crowded this time of year.

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I am a homeowner and would like to improve my carpentry/construction skills. I am a teacher and have the summers off, which I would like to spend improving my house. This isnt just to save money; I really want to learn how to do it.

I once converted a garage into a sculpture studio, so I have some skills/successes (can build a wall, install new windows and doors, wiring, put in a floor) and some failures (leaking skylights). Ive also put in fences, built bookshelves and done some plumbing. Plus sculpture!

I know I could take classes at a tech school, but Im looking for other hands-on ideas where I could learn from someone. Books are great but I need to SEE it and be able to ask questions. Though I have the summers off, they are short and I have young kids. Id like to work a bit for someone for free in exchange for the teaching – is that feasible? Im not incompetant, but I am female