Services You Might Need For Your Home

In 2020, amid the Pandemic, Americans alone spent over $400 billion in home improvements. And that was largely paid out on DIY upgrades. In March 2020 Harvard University researchers learned that ~60% of homeowners started at least one project.  But by May last year it had grown to 80%.  Additionally, in a poll at the end of January of this year, respondents indicated they would spend as much this year as they did last year.  So this post is about the services you might need for your home based on the findings of the two studies.

The most popular projects revealed in the January 2021 poll were landscaping, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, decks/patios, and offices. Also, over 56% of the respondents expressed that they would hire a professional.  You can read more about the poll here.

A different study by Consumer Practices Survey, from February of this year, showed the contrasts in how Americans spent home improvements between 2018 and 2020. And the disparity in DIY and hiring professionals.  So what were the jobs homeowners had either completed themselves or hired the pros for last year?  This might give you a clue to something you might also need to repair or replace in your own home.  Especially if it isn’t new or is showing wear.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Repair or Replace Interior Doors

The first item on the Consumer Practices Survey list was to repair or replace interior doors.  On top of that, from 2018 to 2020 the percentage of DIY repaired or replaced doors rose 5%.  And reasons to do either is as follows:

• Defective doors

If you have doors that are no longer functional, or can no longer sit in the frames, it might be time to replace them.  Or if you have doors that are just damaged.  Moreover, hollow doors are highly susceptible to impairment.

• Non-insulated doors

Sometimes home builders or contractors will rely on low cost parts and supplies to construct a home.  Also, if your inside doors are thin, they might not be insulated. Which could cause problems with your energy use, and thus, your electric bill.

• Opposing quality and design

And the last reason for replacing your interior doors would be if you have one that just doesn’t match the others.  Maybe it’s made from different material than the others.  Or possibly has a different paint color.  If you have doors in the same room, but they look different from each other, then perhaps it’s time to consider an upgrade.

Daystar Handyman can inspect your interior doors to make sure there’s not excessive wear or damage.  Also, we can check the hardware, and that everything is functioning the way it’s supposed to.  Furthermore, if something needs to be repaired or replaced, we can assist with that.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Painting

From 2018 to 2020, interior painting for DIY-ers grew 3%.  Some grounds for considering painting a room (or every room) in your home are:

• Boost the value of your home

Painting your home could increase the monetary worth of your home, because it tells possible buyers that you take care of your home.  But even if you aren’t in the market to sell your home, an inside painting project by a professional can last ~7 years.

• Defends against deterioration of your home

Most inner walls of your home are constructed of materials that soak up moisture.  However, over time, that can weaken your house’s walls, which could hurt your home’s fundamental strength.  But paint keeps that moisture from seeping into the porous walls of your house and prevents that damage.  Damage like mold which could cause health issues.

• Optimizes air quality

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds.  And they can be found in a whole host of household items including: paints, paint strippers, and paint solvents.  Also, the EPA found that the levels of the pollutants inside of the home to be 2-5 times higher than outside of the home. Products with high VOC levels can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, liver and kidney issues.  And they are suspected of causing cancer.  Thus, in the mid-1990s, the first zero-VOC products emerged on the market.

• Change the overall mood of a room

Painting is one of the easiest ways to update your home.  And It’s also a simple way to hide defects.  Furthermore, new paint colors can contemporize your home, bringing it into the 21st century.  But not only that, colors can influence our own moods a lot of the time.  In some circles it’s referred to as color psychology.  So picking a color that can affect us positively is a good motivator to re-painting a room.

If you want to paint a room, or your whole house, we can help you with that.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Garage or Closet Storage Systems

Since 2018 to 2020 garage and closet storage system updates climbed 4%.  And since more people were home last year due to the Pandemic, it totally makes sense, because they help with organization.  Here are some of the other benefits of having either a garage or closet storage system.

• Each and every thing is sorted and arranged

Both storage systems eliminate clutter.  Usually our closets and our garages become the catch-all to our excess.  Things we don’t know what to do with, for the moment, usually go to the garage.  Thus, eventually some people can no longer park their cars in their garages.

• Enhances convenience

Each type of storage system helps with accessibility.  With a closet storage system, your clothes will no longer be all over the place.  They’ll be at your fingertips, you’ll know where everything is, and they’ll be easier to maintain.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Siding and Exterior Finish

Siding and outdoor finishes on the home also grew 4% from 2018 to 2020.  And here are the most common arguments for renovating your own siding and exterior facade:

• Showing wear and tear

The sensible function of siding is that it safeguards the exterior of your house by providing a defense against the elements.  However different constituents perform better depending on the climate.  But if you notice cracks or gaps in your siding, then moisture can get inside your house.  And this is a perfect storm for mold to develop.

If you have wood siding, examine it for wood rot.  It too is caused by moisture being trapped under the siding. You can usually see this problem by looking for soft, spongy areas in the siding.

• Save money on energy costs

Upgrading your siding can help you save money because siding provides insulation.  And old siding material isn’t as energy efficient as the newer materials.

• Affects the market value of your home

Because there are different types of siding materials available, depending on the one you choose, upgrading yours could increase your home’s resale value.

• Beautifies your home

And the last reason to give your siding a face-lift is for curb appeal. Moreover, depending on the material you choose, siding can alter your home’s essential style.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Flooring

The percentage of floors that were updated from 2018 to 2020 rose 4% as well.  And once again we can look to the Pandemic, and thus people staying at home more, for the impetus to make those particular changes.  The benefits of upgrading your floors are:

• Update the look of your home

Just like replacing interior doors, siding, and painting, by renovating your floors, you will change the basic look of your home.  Maybe you want to get tile in your kitchen.  Or wood floors in all of the bedrooms.  Whatever it is, the floor style can alter the look of your whole home, giving it the appearance of a total makeover.

• Increase the value of your home

Depending on the materials used, updating your floors can add value to your home.

• Easy to maintain

If you replace your flooring with a material that’s easy to clean, that can also handle traffic, you’ll save time and effort in the long run.

• Save money

Some flooring selections provide better insulation than others, which can help with the overall temperature of your house.  And that could lead to less energy use and lower electric bills.

If you want to change any of the floors in your house, give us a call.  We install tile, wood, and laminate.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Cabinets

Revamping cabinets grew from 33% in 2018 to 37% in 2020.  Furthermore, some changes include re-painting or re-staining.  But another easy way to change the look of your cabinets is by changing out the hardware.  Also, cabinets should be updated every 10-15 years relative to the material used.  Here are some advantages to renovating your cabinets:

• Add space

If you find that you just don’t seem to have enough space in your kitchen or bathroom, then you might need a cabinet remodel.  Maybe not all of your pots and pans have a home.  Especially depending on the age of your home and where you live, because not all homes were built equally.

• Spruce up the look of your kitchen or bathroom

If you just want to change the look of your cabinets, this can easily be accomplished with paint.  Or you can add texture to the cabinet doors. On the other hand, you could remove the upper cabinets completely for a more modern look.  And replace with a few shelves.

• Showing wear and tear

If your cupboard doors won’t close, or the shelves are beginning to buckle, it’s time for a change.  Similarly, if they have water damage, delamination, or blackening wood, you need to upgrade your cabinets.  Also, you need to consider replacing your cabinets if they have ever sustained smoke or fire damage from a small kitchen fire.

• Get what you want

Finally, when you renovate your cabinets, you can pick out what you want.  Because ultimately it’s your house.

In the event that you want or need help with a simple face-lift on any of your cabinets, or you want to totally replace them, don’t hesitate to call us.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Faucets

Improving faucets/plumbing features in 2018 rose from 49% to 52% last year.  Most people might not tend to think of replacing faucets when they think of home repairs.  But it comes up in remodeling.  However a lot of people tend to need repairs on their plumbing features.  That could be limited to your kitchen.  Or maybe even the bathroom.  Here are some reasons why you might want to replace your faucets:

• Save money and water

A leaky showerhead or faucet wastes a lot of money each year.  And the EPA calculates that the average homeowner uses more than 9000 gallons of water annually.  Furthermore, household leaks can drain ~900 billion gallons of water each year.  However if you replace your faucets and aerators, you’ll save money.  And if you replace your showerhead, you’ll save money and ~2700 gallons of water annually.

• Wear and tear

Bathroom faucets are very prone to rust, since they’re in a wet and humid environment.  So, after some time, your fixtures can start to show rust spots or other flaws.  Also, if they appear lackluster and can’t be cleaned, think about replacing them.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Outdoor Structures

Outdoor structures are pergolas, covered patios, decks, pools, and spas. But mostly they’re outdoor living spaces.  And from 2018 to 2020, improving outdoor structures increased from 40% to 43%.  Furthermore, Gardens Alive surveyed 900 people across America about how likely they were to build or upgrade an outdoor space in 2021.  Below are some incentives that came up for building or updating outdoor structures:

• Cooking/BBQ and entertaining guests

The poll from Gardens Alive measured cooking/BBQ separately from entertaining guests.  Although, for our purposes, I’ve combined them. And so, 33.2% of the people surveyed indicated that they would create or renovate their outdoor structures for cooking and entertaining guests.

Also, Millennials are more likely to entertain compared to Boomers with over 50% of them intending on purchasing numerous items of furniture this year.  Plus, Millennials are more inclined to purchase what would be considered indoor furniture as opposed to Boomers.

• Dissatisfaction

According to a survey by the International Casual Furnishings Association, 88% of those surveyed revealed that they were dissatisfied with their current outdoor rooms.  While 66% of those currently with outdoor structures indicated they weren’t happy with the style, 56% were unhappy with the function, and 45% were unsatisfied with the comfort level of their outdoor spaces.

• Increase the value of your home

Updating your outdoor spaces and structures could increase the market value of your home.

• Practical, useful, and fun

Most things that add value to your home also turn out to be quite functional.  I’ve mentioned entertaining and increasing the value of your home.  But improving your outdoor structures can also create a private oasis for you and your family.  And in this day and age, with uncertainty abounding, having your own oasis can become a priority.

Daystar Handyman can help you build or improve your outdoor spaces, so don’t hesitate to call.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Countertops

From 2018 to 2020 renovating countertops by DIY-ers only rose 2%. However that’s not surprising, because replacing countertops can be difficult work.  But it mostly depends on skill level and the material you want to use.  Here are the top reasons to upgrade your countertops:

• Current countertops are damaged

Cracks, stains, and discolorations are a great incentive to replacing your countertops.  Although if you’ve ever had a small kitchen fire, your countertops could have sustained fire or smoke damage.  And therefore, they should be replaced.

• Changing or rebuilding your cabinets

If you keep the cabinets you have and are only doing a face-lift, like re-painting them, then it’s feasible to keep the counters you have. However if you change your cabinets so much that it alters the basic shape and size, then you’re going to need new countertops.

• Dated counters or are low quality

A lot of older homes were built with Formica or laminate countertops.  And neither age very well.  However you might have your dream kitchen except when you see your current counters.  Because they look outdated.

• Upgrading your whole kitchen or bathroom

And ultimately, if you’re updating either your whole kitchen or bathroom, you would need to change your counters.

So if your counters require attention, we can assist with choosing a new countertop design and material.  But we can also help with installation.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Replacing Your Home’s Insulation

Replacing insulation by DIY-ers increased from 42% in 2018 to only 43% last year.  It’s possible homeowners don’t feel comfortable installing new and upgraded insulation themselves.  Not to mention, before new insulation can even be added, the old insulation has to be removed. And that can be dangerous depending on the material.  Therefore, signs that you need to replace your insulation are:

• High electric bills

If your energy bills are high, it’s a sign that your insulation isn’t optimal.  Or if your HVAC is working overtime to keep the temperature in your home balanced, that also signifies your insulation is failing to meet the standard.

• A/C is always running in the summer

Hot summer air can get into your home without adequate insulation.  Which overtaxes your A/C system as it tries to keep up with the demand.  Furthermore, the additional stress on your air conditioner could cause expensive repairs and even a probable replacement.

• Furnace/heater is continually on in the winter

The same reason that hot air seeps into your home during the summer is why cold weather can get into your home in the winter.  Poor insulation. So, if your heater is constantly running during the winter, it’s time to replace or add to your insulation.

• Uncomfortable rooms

If you have rooms that are too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, it might be from incorrect insulation.  But to be sure, it would be best to contact an insulation contractor.

• Drafts from wall sockets

Air that finds its way into the walls of your house will push in through any and all openings it can find.  And wall sockets and light switches are no exception.

• Walls and floors are cold in the winter

If your walls or floors are cold in the winter, that’s an indication of areas that might benefit from insulation.

• Moisture in the attic

If you have any moisture in your attic, you want to replace your insulation as soon as possible.  Because wet insulation allows mold to expand and flourish.  And if the insulation isn’t changed, it could cause mold corrosion and health problems.

• Pest infestation

If you notice rodent droppings around your insulation, it needs to be removed, disinfected, and replaced.  It’s not uncommon for rodents to make nests out of insulation.  Especially in attics.

• Old insulation

Fiberglass and cellulose insulation settles over time.  Additionally, sometimes it can even shrink, which will minimize your insulation coverage.

• Protects your roof

Attic insulation is supposed to protect your roof from heat damage.  And if you don’t have enough insulation, it can cause expensive roof damage in time.

Services You Might Need for Your Home: Replacing Your Roof

According to the Consumer Practices Survey, there were no changes when it came to replacing roofs.  While the majority of homeowners preferred to hire professionals to replace their roofs, the DIY-ers remained at a steady 12%.  And the most common reason to replace your roof is because of storm damage due to high winds, fallen tree limbs, and hail.  So in those cases it’s recommended to replace your entire roof rather than just do spot repairs.  But other reasons to replace your roof are:

• Damaged roof

If your roof is showing signs that it’s compromised or damaged in any way that’s unrelated to storm damage, such as: missing or broken shingles, shingles that are curled on their edges, mold or moss over large areas of the roof, bald shingles or shingles that have lost their granule coating, leaks through your roof, or your roof’s sheathing is soft and rotting, then you need to have your roof replaced.

• Remodeling

Another reason to replace your roof is if you remodeled part of your house, or built an addition, and now have two different looks that are mismatched.  In which case, some homeowners opt to replace their whole roof to make everything flow seamlessly.

Daystar Handyman can help you evaluate whether your roof needs to be replaced.  And if so, we can put a new roof on your house.

Again, these were the main things Americans spent their home improvement money on last year.  Additionally, it’s an idea of how they planned to spend it this year as well.  And as you look around your own home you might find there are similar things that you need to take care of as well.