Get a jumpstart on curb appeal
One of the earliest home improvement projects to undertake before the thick of winter hits is the fertilization of your landscape. With fall in the rear-view mirror, this affordable winter project entails adding fertilizer to trees, shrubs, and grass in preparation for winter months. As a homeowner, fertilizing your yard will not only keep it nourished during the dead of the winter, but provide optimal care until it’s time to shine in the springtime. While the winter months represent the offseason for curb appeal, it shouldn’t be translated into taking time off. This preparation tactic as a homeowner is not only inexpensive, but only requires a few hours of your time to get started. Cost: $25 to $50.
For under $500, the least expensive home improvement project a homeowner can undertake this winter season is to seal openings and air leaks in their home. Taking the time to seal seams around windows and doors with caulk, waterproof sealant or weather stripping will not only improve your energy consumption but lower your utility costs as well. According to EnergyStar, sealing leaks can improve the overall quality of your home and help to fix many common problems, such as reducing noise from the outside, providing better humidity control and lessens pollen, dust, and insects from entering your home. Cost: $3 to $30.
Install programmable thermostat
Technology has greatly influenced home appliances in recent years, especially when it comes to programmable thermostats. This must-do winter home improvement project lets homeowners customize the heating and cooling of their home to fit their needs, automatically regulating the temperature in their home. With different programming options available, including the ability to control some thermostats remotely, this improvement project will not only enhance your quality of life, but save you money in the process.
Nest Labs, a home automation producer, released a report last year revealing that homeowners accrued 10 to 12 percent savings on heating and 15 percent savings on cooling by upgrading to a programmable thermostat. Although every manufacturer has different savings claims, Nest users reported saving between $10 to $20 per month. Cost: $20 to $300.
Add a tile backsplash to kitchen/bathrooms
The majority of winter home improvement projects consist of indoor upgrades focused on small details that make a huge difference. One of the more affordable options is adding a colorful backsplash to kitchens and/or bathrooms. This do-it-yourself home improvement idea will add some personality to a room’s look, helping to accessorize and emphasize your countertops, cabinets, and appliances.
The cost of adding a tile backsplash will depend on the size of area, including the type of tile you want to use. The skill level needed to complete this project ranges from medium to advanced, but patience and a steady hand will go a long way with this project. Cost: Under $500.
Refurbish Your Doors
Homeowners understand the visual impact interior doors can have on a home. Instead of being out of pocket to replace them, one of the more popular winter home improvement projects is to simply refurbish them. Whether the front, bathroom or bedroom door, this home improvement idea includes painting doors to make them look more expensive or modern, installing decorative doorknobs to add flare, and even adding molding to flat doors to create dimension. Cost: $200.
Homeowners looking to make last minute upgrades to their homes should consider winter home improvement projects. In addition to saving on cost, waiting until the colder months to complete these tasks can provide optimal results for homeowners and investors alike. <
Carrie Colby is a Broker with Allied Real Estate, 909 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. She can be reached at 207-232-5497.
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