DIY or Professional ?

    I have encountered many projects throughout the years that had DIY written all over them . This is by no means an  article to deter people from doing a project on their own . However I did want to outline the pros and cons of each and help homeowners make the right decision for their next project .

   I wouldsaythe thingthat separates a pro from a weekend warrior is a professional understands the pitfalls in doing a certain project that most DIY'ers just don't have the experience necessary to achieve  the results a professional has . This can be anywhere from selecting the best material for the application to resolving any kind of pre-existing conditions the home might have . These may seem like no big deal , but will almost always show in the finished product .

   It is also important to consider that a professional will almost always complete the job much quicker than what someone that doesn't do it for a living will . Not to mention the fact that if you want to take on a task yourself its going to require some sort of investment in tools or equipment that's going to eat into the bottom line .

  If you are still determined to tackle a project on your own here are a couple  tips .

:  Consult a professional , he or she may be able to give you some tips on the best way to do your project

:  Stay away from big box stores when sourcing materials if at all possible . Some of the stuff they sell can be a pitfall in of itself .

Maintenance musts when owning a home

  Throughout my 20 year career in the construction industry I have seen many disasters that should have been adverted with simple and inexpensive routine maintenance . The object  of this article is to help homeowners understand home maintenance and why its a good thing .

   One of the worst things you can ever neglect on your home is believe it or not is the gutters and downspouts . Routinely we receive calls  where the homeowner says the basement is taking on water and created all sorts of havoc . Not only can water leaks cause damage to the finishes in the basement but the foundation itself . Many homeowners are not aware the fact that gutters have to be cleaned at the very  least on an annual basis , but also should be checked for cracks , leaks , and issues with downspouts . Its imperative that the gutters , downspouts , splash blocks , and any drainage pipe be clear of debris so water can be drained away from the house . Many homeowners are also lead to believe that one of many gutter guards out there  are a replacement for routine maintenance , this is simply not true .

  Decks require lots of TLC as they are usually made of wood and  are exposed to the harshest conditions that mother nature can throw at them . I always recommend to my customers thatsemi annually the deck needs to be power washed and re-stained . UV rays are constantly breaking down the stain and natural oils in the wood which allows water to penetrate and rot the wood . If this all sounds like too much for you , there are whole plethora of new options out that are made of either plastic or composite that far reduce the amount of maintenance a deck needs .

  Heating and air conditioning systems are there for our comfort but to work properly need some attention from time to time .  Furnace filters should be changed once a month . When a filter gets dirty , it makes your system work harder and ultimately makes your bills go up . This condition can also lead to dust and pollen becoming airborne in your home and can become a health hazard .

  These are just some of the things that need to be looked upon with a watchful eye when owning a home . It is always a good idea to create a schedule for routine maintenance that will help keep your home in tip-top shape and help to avoid costly repairs.

When is a good time to renovate my home ?

  I cant tell you how many times I have heard the phrase .  " we wished we would have done that a long time ago , now we are selling our house and we don't get to enjoy the new renovation " .

    This is something I hear all too often . In most cases it happens when someone decides its time to sell their home and they or the listing agent realize the fact that there are certain things that have to be done to the home in order to get the most out of it financially . These things can range from small repairs to whole room renovations . I truly sense a homeowners remorse when they have to shell out a bunch of money for something they will never get to use .

   It would be my best advice that improvements should be done sooner than later to reap not only the financial gains but to enjoy your newly renovated space .