The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies advances understanding of housing issues and informs policy. Through graduate and executive courses, as well as fellowships and internship opportunities, the Center also trains and inspires the next generation of housing leaders. Passive house designs enable us to build houses that save energy, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. Many homes in rural parts of the U.S. rely on well water rather than city water. But well water has pros and cons that city people may never have considered. It’s better to be safe than sorry, which surely applies to your home security!
- You can pay, on average, $2,352 for a professional installation, or measure precisely and DIY it on your own.
- At the core of the series was husband and wife squaring off against each other.
- But well water has pros and cons that city people may never have considered.
- Sharpen up.If you don’t love your everyday knife, get one you do — stat!
If the carpet in your living room is looking worn, remove it and install some hardwood flooring. Quality hardwood flooring can cost anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot and you can save some money by installing it yourself. If the carpet is still good, give it a good DIY carpet cleaning. Older homes, in particular, are likely to have hardwood floors lurking beneath carpet. If you’re not sure, pull up your carpet in an unnoticeable corner and check.
Good levels of insulation can make room interiors more comfortable as well as dramatically reduce your energy bills – by up to as much as 90 percent. A relatively small investment can pay back quickly, and add to the value of your home when you choose to sell. Perhaps fitting a new kitchen or bathroom, or creating extra living space? For most of us, renovation means modernising our home, adding more “functionality” to it or increasing its value. Usually, we’re more preoccupied with finishes and fittings than the things we can’t see.
Maximum Value Mechanical Projects: Water Systems
Occasionally, episodes also include information on how to maintain and restore antique furniture as well as short biographies of notable furniture makers from decades past. Another of Canada’s preeminent designers, Candice Olson hosted HGTV’s “Divine Designs” for all of its 16 seasons. Rather than flipping an entire house, Olson focuses on renovating and refurbishing single rooms and bringing the owners’ visions for interior decor to life. Since the show’s cancellation, Olson has devoted much of her energy to writing and publishing design books aimed at folks who want a little bit of her sparkle in their own homes.
If you want to add more safety features to your home but can’t seem to follow through, make it one of your top priorities in the new year. When it comes to projects that will give you a great return when you sell your home, look no further than a minor bathroom remodel. Give your bathroom vanity a makeover, replace the toilet and faucet if needed, update the shower head for a better shower experience and re-caulk the bathroom tub. After sealing the attic bypasses, push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or a stick as you back out of the attic.
Home Improvement for Beginners
Our top-rated pros are ready to tackle all your home projects – big or small – on time & on budget. Participants of a Maytag survey prioritized upgrading their countertops to something more on-trend. If your laminate kitchen countertops are worn but still sound, give them a fresh, new look by resurfacing them. A variety of colors are available, and the process is no harder than painting. Just about anyone who has older hardwood floors in their home or has discovered they have them under their carpet has thought about refinishing them. It is true you could hire someone to do this task, but if you have ever gotten it priced out you were probably surprised by the cost.
“In some circumstances the area itself is the kerb appeal – think Wisteria Lane – but with less premium properties, make sure your property is eye-catching and lush. If you’re in the process of trying to sell your house or are simply looking to do somehome improvements, we can help. Update these often-overlooked interior elements with form and function. An interior door’s materials could affect how well it works and how long you can wait before buying a replacement.
