Improving your home is the best way to retain value, keep your home safe, and save energy. There are many home improvements which can also save you plenty of money. Check out these five ideas to make a start.
1 . Roof repairs
If your roof has any gaps or cracks you’ll be losing energy and money. It’s a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional at least every 4 months or so, (especially after extreme weather). A roofing professional will be able to provide a thorough inspection of your roof and confirm whether you’ll need repairs or a
new roof installation. Unless you’re trained it’s not a great idea to attempt roofing repairs yourself. Trying to make repairs on your own can be dangerous, and you could even end up damaging your roof.
- Water conserving appliances
To reduce your water bills and save money, what you need are water-saving appliances. There are plenty of different water-saving appliances that you can have installed in the home including low-flow showerheads, water-saving toilets, and water-conserving dishwashers. Additionally, you might use a rainwater collector, and utilize this water around your home.
- Pre-loved items
If you’re keen to improve your home on a budget try shopping for pre-loved items. There are plenty of places where you can buy top-quality second-hand items, whether it’s vintage stores, pre-loved apps, or thrift stores. Vintage stores are a great place to find furniture items or decor items. For a few great places to start check out items like Chairish, Everything But The House and Etsy. Here you’ll find plenty of unique items to give you lots of home decor ideas.
You can even revamp pre-loved furniture according to your home’s current aesthetic. Updating table legs, replacing cabinet hardware, or repainting chairs are just some of the affordable and creative ways you can turn old furniture into something fresh and contemporary.
- Energy-efficient improvements
Wanting to get the most equity out of your home through home improvements is a valid reason to take out a home improvement loan. And some of the most valuable home improvements fall under the category of making the home more energy efficient. Some of the best cost and energy-saving upgrades for your home include:
- Upgrade your windows and doors.
- Seal any gaps and cracks using foam or caulk.
- Use only Energy Star-rated appliances.
- Use a smart meter to manage electricity and track usage.
- Improve your energy saving habits, for example, by reducing your usage of electronics.
- Switch to energy providers that offer renewable energy options.
- Upgrade your insulation
Upgrading your insulation is a great way to create a greener home and save money too. If it’s been a while since you checked your insulation, see to this as soon as you can. You might find that your insulation materials aren’t as effective as before? Perhaps you’re keen to upgrade to a more eco-friendly material? Some of the best green insulation materials include denim, sheep’s wool, and icynene.
As you can see, home improvement can actually save you money in the long run. When you invest in your home you’ll boost the value. If you’re looking to sell your property in the future, you’ll probably want to make a return on your investment. Creating an eco-friendly home isn’t just cost-efficient, it will also make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
