Category Archives: Home Care & Safety

Not-So-Sexy Home Maintenance Must-Do’s

Winter is hard on homes. Spring is fast approaching and the best time to inspect the home’s exterior for damage caused over the winter.

Start with a visual assessment of the full exterior and compile a list of any noticeable damage or areas that need improvement. Pay special attention to the roof and gutters, siding, paint, windows and doors, chimney, the deck or porch, and fences.

Roof & Gutters

The roof and gutters are a home’s first line of defense against the elements. Being proactive about maintaining them will protect your home and help to prevent future costly repairs.

Check for the following during your inspection. If you suspect any concerns, or your roof is nearing 20 years old, you should have a professional inspection.

Replace curling, buckling, cracked, or missing shingles
Ensure flashing is firmly adhered around skylights, vent pipes, and chimneys
Clean debris from roof and valleys
Apply moss retardant, if needed
Ensure gutters are secured and sloped correctly for proper drainage
Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent leaks and back-up
Seal all gutter seams where leaks are evident

Siding

We don’t often think about maintaining siding until we see mildew, cracks or holes, and even broken or missing pieces. With a little preventive care, siding upkeep or repairs will be minimal, the product will last much longer, and the outside of the home will continue to look its best (think curb appeal!). The proper siding can also increase energy efficiency and the home’s value.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is an affordable, resilient, and versatile product. Although mostly maintenance free, vinyl siding must be checked regularly for cracks and broken or missing pieces. It should also be washed regularly to prevent dirt and mildew build-up.

Fiber-Cement Siding

Fiber-cement siding is a cost-effective material that emulates wood and requires little maintenance. Annual inspections are recommended to spot any cracked or broken siding. Where accessible, cleaning when needed with a low-pressure garden hose is usually adequate. Avoid pressure washing.

Cedar Siding

Cedar or wood siding is a popular choice in the Pacific Northwest. Make sure the siding is properly sealed or painted as moisture is wood’s worst enemy. Termites or other pests can be detrimental; regular inspections are recommended. Other things to look for are cracks or breaks in the wood, which can lead to moisture leaks. Like all siding, cleaning the exterior regularly is important and will help you notice any potential areas in need of repair.

While every type of siding requires slightly different care the most important thing is to prevent moisture from getting past the siding, thus shortening the lifespan of the product and its effectiveness to protect the home. Regular inspections and cleaning will minimize siding repairs or the need for siding replacement.

Paint

Paint on the outside of a home is more than just for show. In addition to providing a visual pop, a quality exterior paint job acts as a protective layer between the home’s siding and the elements. If the paint starts to flake and deteriorate the siding becomes more susceptible to damage.

Regular check-ups are important to make sure the paint isn’t chipping, thus exposing siding, or window and door frames, to potential rot or mold. There are special paints with additives to help prevent mildew or mold from building up on surfaces. Regular cleanings will also help. Staying on top of minor repairs and regular touch-up painting will help maximize the overall life of the paint job.

Windows & Doors

The ‘eyes’ of a home allow natural light inside, an especially important feature during long winter months. Depending on how energy efficient they are they can also let in unwanted cold or heat. Regardless of how energy efficient your windows and doors they still require some routine maintenance to be the most effective.

Check doors and windows for air leaks. Keep door and window tracks free of dirt. Check for condensation, mold, and properly working locks and hinges. Once a year clean all frame surfaces, tracks, check for sealed joints, and ensure all windows and doors open and close with ease.

Chimney Care

Although not all homes have a chimney, those that do are often older so maintaining it is even more important. If you use the fireplace regularly during the heating season, the chimney should be cleaned annually. Doing so in the spring will avoid the fall rush.

From the outside, inspect for any mortar or brick damage. Cracked or crumbling mortar should be removed and replaced, known as re-pointing. If you find significant mortar or brick damage it is generally best to consult with a professional.

Decks

When the first warm days of summer arrive, you’ll be grateful your deck is ready to BBQ or to simply relax and enjoy the weather. A thorough cleaning and inspection is the first step.

Different types of decks require slightly different cleaning methods. Choose an appropriate cleaner for your type of deck. They vary for wood and composite surfaces. Most of the time a soft to medium bristle brush or push broom is a sufficient tool, followed by a rinse with the garden hose. If using a pressure washer, avoid damaging the deck by using the right tip or nozzle for the job.

Once the deck is clean, inspect for rot. Make sure all wood posts, beams, planks, and stairs are secure. Re-secure or replace any loose, broken, or rotted sections. Applying a sealer to a wood deck will ensure its longevity.

Fences

Just as you inspected the deck, walk the full perimeter of the fence and check for any weak spots, loose nails or planks, or loose and damaged posts.

If your fence is constructed of wood, mildew can be a nuisance. Scrub the fence with a mildew cleaner to prevent build-up. If you want to give your fence a facelift and extend its longevity, paint or stain the fence every few years.

Have Some Fun!

Home maintenance doesn’t have to be all ho-hum. While you’re at it, use the opportunity to enhance your personal outdoor space in ways you will enjoy for years to come.

An easy and inexpensive way to make the most of your outdoor space is to add or build a fire pit. A cozy fire extends the amount of time you can comfortably spend outdoors and provides a conversational gathering place for family and guests.

Ensure your backyard and deck have ample lighting to keep the party vibes high. The choices are endless from landscape lighting, to LED patio lights, to solar options.

If you really want to go all out, consider an outdoor kitchen. This more substantial improvement will elevate your dining experience and creates a space for year-round entertainment.

Making exterior home maintenance part of your spring routine will keep your home well-maintained and looking beautiful. Preventive care will save time and money in the long run.

Off-Season Savings

If you hired a home improvement contractor in the last couple of years you likely experienced some sticker shock and delays getting your job scheduled. Many things contribute to this all too common phenomenon. While we can’t control a lot of it, there are some things we can do to minimize scheduling delays and possibly save some money. Understanding what drives some of these delays and cost increases is helpful.

For starters, contractors in Western Washington are in high demand. One of their challenges is finding experienced, skilled labor to hire. There is a shortage of skilled labor in Seattle and the surrounding area. Contractors must pay higher wages and benefits to attract and retain good employees. This affects both contractor availability (or lack thereof) and the cost of doing business.

Another factor is material costs. The cost of construction materials is on the rise and expected to continue to increase. Inflation and tariff increases have driven up the cost of lumber, steel and aluminum, concrete, gypsum, and plastic products, to name a few. These costs add up on a sizable remodeling project or upgrade.

These reasons, among many others, affect contractor availability and the increased costs associated with home improvement. If you are willing to get a little creative, there are ways to get around some of this.

OFF-SEASON SAVINGS

Many trades have a high and low season. Scheduling your projects during the off-season whenever possible is worth considering. Doing so will minimize scheduling delays and could save you money. Some trades even offer discounts during the off-season. Be sure to ask!

HEATING & AIR-CONDITIONING (HVAC)

The non-heating and non-cooling seasons are the best time to schedule tune-ups, repairs, or new installs of these systems. Typically, HVAC companies provide both heating and cooling services. Aim to have the heating system serviced in the warmer seasons and the air-conditioning in the cooler seasons.

CHIMNEY CLEANING & REPAIR

Chimney cleaning is a great summer project. Oftentimes this important maintenance project is overlooked until it is time to stoke up that first fire. By then, the chimney sweeps are booked for weeks. Thinking of adding a gas insert? Summer is also an optimal time to refurbish or reface the fireplace or have an existing gas insert serviced.

PAINTING

Exterior painting is seasonal in Western Washington. There isn’t a lot we can do about that. If you need your house painted it will be done as weather allows. The key take-away here is plan ahead. By late spring, most painter’s schedules will be booked for the summer. To ensure your job is completed while the weather allows, start getting bids by late winter and get your job scheduled by April or May, latest.

On the flip side, interior painting can be done year round. However, unless you hire a painter that specializes in or prefers interior painting, you may have a hard time getting a painter’s time and attention during the summer season. If you can, plan your interior painting projects outside of the summer, exterior painting season.

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELS

Remodeling contractors don’t have much down time these days. That said, there is still a spike in spring and a slow-down in late fall for many types of remodeling projects. Many folks don’t want their home to be a construction zone during the winter holidays. This can be a tremendous opportunity to get your remodeling project completed timely and with less competition than the rest of the year. If it’s an option, crash someone else’s home for the holidays or plan a well-deserved vacation and take advantage of this window of time. Keep in mind, a remodel requires some advance planning. Ideally, by summer your plans have been finalized and you are scheduled with your contractor of choice for a fall or winter start date.

DECKS & FENCES

The calls for deck and fence repair and new installations peak in spring and summer. The first warm days of spring beckon us outdoors, perhaps reminding us that our deck or fence is in a state of disrepair. By then, deck and fencing contractors are flooded with calls. Get in line. If you’re lucky, you might get your deck completed in time to enjoy the final dog days of summer. Those same contractors would love your business in the winter. Fall is a great time to start talking with contractors. They are winding down from summer and able to start scheduling winter projects. Your project will be completed and ready to enjoy by the time the first warm days of spring arrive.

ROOFING

We don’t always think of replacing a roof outside of summer, and for good reason. You certainly don’t want to expose your home to adverse weather conditions. A reputable roofing contractor won’t either. Most roofs can be torn off in a matter of hours promptly followed by the installation of a waterproof felt paper. It usually only requires one reliably dry day for this procedure. The new roofing material can be installed during inclement weather. Most roofs will be completed in less than a week, start to finish. There are many opportunities throughout fall, winter, and spring where the weather cooperates for this often overlooked ‘seasonal’ project.

If you need assistance with any of these projects or upgrades, we can connect you with the appropriate service professionals for your specific needs. Just let us know how we can help by completing our online Work Request today!

Sustainable Home Improvements

In today’s world “go green” encompasses a more impactful meaning than it did even a few short years ago. As society moves toward a more eco-friendly mindset, you might think about how a more sustainable home can help your pocketbook and decrease your carbon footprint. Creating an energy efficient home is an investment. It involves a lot of initial planning and upfront costs. In the long run it should decrease overall energy consumption, improve your home’s comfort, and increase value and desirability at resale. Another benefit, some energy efficient upgrades also qualify for tax credits and reimbursement programs.

If you plan on renovating your current residence or building a home from the ground up, this is an ideal time to optimize energy efficiency opportunities. There are multiple ways to make your home more sustainable. Some of the most popular are water heating, solar energy, lighting and daylighting, air-sealing and insulation, appliances and home electronics, sustainable building materials, and water conserving plants and landscape design.

Water Heating/Tankless Water Heaters

A tankless water heater uses 30 to 50 percent less energy than units with tanks. It can save the average family about $100 each year. It is smaller and more compact than a standard 40 to 50-gallon storage tank. Instead of continuously heating a large water tank, it works by only heating water on demand and allows a continuous supply of hot water (i.e. no more cold showers!)

Solar Panels

According to EnergyInformative.org the U.S solar market grew 76 percent in 2012. This is largely due to the sizeable return on investment savings. In most places, solar energy can save the average homeowner roughly $100 per month in heating and cooling costs. The federal tax credit (extended through 2019) can reduce your tax bill by 30 percent of the total installation cost. In addition, Washington has some of the best state solar incentives. Take advantage of incentives while they last. In addition to saving you money, it creates energy independence and reduces emissions. Solar energy is the cleanest energy source available.

Lighting and Daylighting

This might seem like an obvious choice. Installing energy efficient windows in strategic locations can increase natural light in your home, reduce the need for artificial light, and decrease overall electricity consumption. Skylights have the same effect and are also aesthetically pleasing. Energy savings vary depending on how many windows or skylights are used and where they are placed.

Air Sealing and Insulation

Taking time to ensure your home is weatherized and air-tight will make your home more comfortable and reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home. Caulking and installing weather stripping can be an inexpensive DIY project. Caulking is best used for smaller cracks around window frames while weather stripping is more appropriate around door frames and windows that open.

Ensuring the attic and crawl space are properly insulated will help keep your home warm in winter and cool in the summer. Insulation works by conducting heat and maintaining warmth in the existing space. During warmer temperatures, insulation confines cooler air and deflects warm air from entering the home. Depending on how much you increase the R-Value, you may be eligible for rebates from your energy provider. To get the most benefit, be sure the insulation contractor you hire is an approved installer with your local utility service.

Appliances and Home Electronics

Electrical devices account for more than 30 percent of the average energy bill. Energy-efficient or solar powered appliances are designed to greatly reduce energy consumption. When choosing more energy efficient appliances look for the Energy Star labels. These products are designed to use an average of 30 percent less water and 20 percent less energy than their lesser efficient counterparts.

Sustainable Building Materials

When renovating your home for energy efficiency, building materials aren’t always something that initially come to mind. However, like the rest of the energy-saving products above, they can save you money and reduce environmental impact. Sustainable building materials are durable, reusable, and derived from natural sources or recyclable materials. Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly building materials on Earth. It is a sustainable and attractive wood alternative for many home building applications. It is a fast growing, perennial grass that continues to grow without having to be replanted. It is also prevalent around the world, thus, easy to find. It is particularly durable, making it an excellent choice for flooring or cabinets.

Landscape Water Conservation

Who says you need a machine to save water? Take conservation efforts to your garden by using water-conserving plants. Replacing water thirsty lawns with drought tolerant vegetation saves time on upkeep and money on reducing water usage. Plants such as lavender, sea holly, and kangaroo paw, need little to no water to survive. If you prefer indoor plants, start collecting succulents which only require water once every couple of weeks, or less.

Overall, designing and developing a more sustainable, eco-friendly home takes careful planning and renovating. In the long run, you’ll have a more self-reliant house that naturally saves you money and has a more positive impact on the world.

Fireplace Reface

The fireplace is a natural focal point in your home. Left untouched it can make the entire room appear tired and dated.

These before and after photos from a fireplace renovation project in Snohomish, WA, is an example.

BEFORE

AFTER

However, replacing a fireplace is no small undertaking and can be messy and expensive. A more cost-effective and efficient approach may be to reface the fireplace. A reface focuses on upgrading the visible surface of the fireplace, without changing its functionality or how it heats the room. Think of it as giving your fireplace a facelift. If the fireplace is otherwise sound and in proper working condition, refacing may be a good alternative for you.

Before any renovations begin, and especially if you have an older fireplace, it’s recommended you hire a certified chimney sweep to thoroughly clean and inspect the fireplace and chimney. They should be checking for any safety concerns or recommended maintenance or repairs. Once you are confident the fireplace is in good, operable condition, let the fun begin!

The cost of refacing a fireplace can vary greatly depending on what materials you are using, how drastic you want the refacing to be, and how large the fireplace. There are several refacing materials to choose from. Depending on budget and what kind of design you are looking for a few options are concrete, tile, wood, or stone slabs, such as slate or granite. All of these and more are viable options for breathing new life into your old fireplace.

Concrete or Stucco

This material can be applied directly over the surface of an existing masonry fireplace and finished with a design appropriate texture. The dry mixes can be combined with water to create a clay consistency. It is applied by hand and finished with a trowel or any number of tools to create either a smooth or unique texture. This is a creative and inexpensive way to upgrade your fireplace, and you can do it yourself.

Wood Facing

Wood is a natural material that is versatile enough to upgrade any area of a home, the fireplace included. Wood planks or panels work well for this type application. Options are limitless in size, texture, and color. If applied over masonry, you’ll first need to install wood batts so there is something to attach the wood panels. Before proceeding be sure to check with your local building authority. Fire code limits how any combustible material, including wood, is installed around a fireplace. If you aren’t sure how to proceed, this application might be best left to a professional.

Tile

Tile is a traditional and often used material for fireplace refacing. The multiple choices for color and design make it easy to match your home design. Price varies and can be quite affordable or expensive, depending on your taste and choice. Tile and stone slabs can be applied directly to most smooth surfaces, such as drywall. Uneven surfaces like masonry must first be prepared, usually by smoothing the surface with a coat of mortar.

These are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing for your fireplace refacing project. Have fun exploring your options and choose a design that will complement your home’s style and your budget. Do your fireplace a favor and give it a much needed “spa day.”

Smarter Than Alexa

“Alexa, let me know when someone is breaking into my home,” said no one ever. Let’s assume her response would be honest, as in, she can’t. As technology evolves to make our lives easier, smart homes are the newest addition to technological convenience. Although digital assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri, can recite the weather or play your favorite song, they cannot stop an intruder from entering your home. Luckily, smart home security systems can. There are several smart home security options to choose from. Make sure to do some research before you put your house on lockdown.

Smart Locks

Pretty self-explanatory, these are replacement locks for exterior doors that can be controlled by your smartphone. It is an easy way to manage your locks from afar and to never lock yourself out of your house again – unless you lose your phone.

A smart lock can range from $100 to $300, depending on how advanced the options. Most smart locks include an easy-to-use app in which to lock and unlock it remotely. The most advanced smart locks offer features like voice activation; auto-locking, that locks after its been unlocked for a specific amount of time; and geofencing, which automatically locks after your smartphone leaves a preset perimeter around your home. In some cases, installation might be complicated. Hiring a locksmith knowledgeable in new technology will help get your locks installed quickly and correctly.

According to PCMag.com the top choice for a smart lock is the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. It costs under $300.00 and is easy to install. Its features include geofencing, voice activation, and IFTTT support.

Smart Home Security

If you want to upgrade more than just your locks, a smart home security system is an option. Although it’s more expensive than the alternative smart lock, it offers a more comprehensive security system to keep intruders out and your family and belongings safe.

Options depend on what you are looking for and how advanced you want your security to get. There are self-monitoring systems with 24/7 surveillance by professionals who will notify the police or fire department if suspicious activity occurs.

A smart home security system uses Wi-Fi to connect to your home and can be monitored by an app. Most programs usually include window and door sensors or a motion detector that communicates to a wireless hub. More comprehensive programs include door locks, garage door openers, smoke detectors, surveillance cameras, lights, and more. The app will allow you to access, control, and customize all the features the security system offers, and will also notify you if any of the options are triggered.

If you want eyes on the outside of your home, an outside camera can provide 24-hour surveillance accessible from your phone. According to PCMag.com, one of the top choices for a smart security system is the ADT Pulse. It offers the best app and web services with fast and knowledgeable service reps and comprehensive security options. However, it is on the spendy side and requires a three-year contract with a termination penalty.

Overall, regardless of your budget, there are several options to improve your home’s security intelligence. From a simple, smart lock installation to a comprehensive smart home security system with 24-hour surveillance, as technology advances there are more and more options with “smarter” solutions to help keep you and your home safe and secure.

Demand for Good Contractors is High

Demand for good contractors is high as the summer home improvement season heats up. Don’t be a victim to unscrupulous contractors and business practices. Only hire Licensed, Bonded, and Insured contractors and carefully check credentials and references. Click here to learn how state regulation protects consumers and for useful online links to help screen contractors.

Don’t have time to research contractors? Contact us, we have already done the work for you! We will connect you with dependable, pre-screened contractors for your home maintenance, repair, or remodeling needs.

Vacation Proof Your Home

Returning home from a well-deserved break, only to discover a flooded laundry room or kitchen is not how most people want to end their vacation. Follow these simple steps to avoid coming home to a big mess or costly repairs.

Turn Off The Water

Water leaks can cause devastating damage to your home in a short amount of time. A failed hose connection, plumbing fixture, pipe fitting, or appliance can leak gallons of water in no time, resulting in costly repairs.

Turn off the main water supply completely unless someone will be watering plants or pet sitting in your absence.
Turn off individual water supply to unused sinks, toilets, and washing machine.

Most hoses that come standard with new washing machines are low quality, often lasting less than five years. High quality burst proof replacement hoses, such as those available at Floodchek, can be purchased for around $40. This small investment can potentially save thousands of dollars in damages. Due to the high risk of failure and associated repair costs, many condo associations require burst proof hoses in each dwelling.

Unplug Appliances and Electronics

Defective household appliances, electronics, and wiring can be a fire hazard. Some are also prone to damage from power surges. In addition to fire risk and damage they can draw power and waste electricity, even when not in use.

Unplug kitchen appliances and household electronics like the TV, DVD player, and computer.
Turn down heat or air-conditioning to conserve energy or turn it off completely, if practical.

Secure Your Home

Nothing speaks louder to a potential intruder than an overgrown lawn or newspapers piled on the porch. Secure your home by taking some simple steps to make it look lived in during your absence.

If you have a home security system, contact the service provider with the dates you will be gone and how best to reach you. Instruct the house sitter how to operate the system.
Place a hold on mail and newspaper delivery. Visit the United States Postal Service website to cease mail delivery for the dates you specify.
Ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye out for door flyers or packages. If possible, ask the neighbor to park their car in your driveway.
If leaving garbage bins out to be emptied, arrange for someone to remove them from the curb once the garbage is collected.
Arrange for the lawn to be cut in your absence. Store tools and ladders out of sight and lock outdoor shed or storage area.
Remove outdoor spare keys.
Keep trees and bushes trimmed away from windows and doorways.
Install timers for interior and exterior lights and set them to mimic your regular habits.
Ensure all windows and doors are locked, including basement windows and the door from the garage leading into the house.
Move expensive electronics and jewelry out of sight from windows and doors. Secure valuables in a home safe or safe deposit box.
Leave a house key, contact information, and itinerary with a friend or neighbor.
Notify the local police station with your plans so they can include your home on their neighborhood watch list.

Think Before Sharing

Social media has made it easier than ever to publicly share personal information. This information can then be shared with friends of friends, potentially hundreds or more often complete strangers.

Think twice before publicly sharing pictures and trip highlights on social media while you are gone on vacation.
Keep the same greeting on your home phone and turn off the ringer. A ringing phone left unanswered is a tip to an intruder that no one is home.

Last But Not Least

Throw out all perishable items in the refrigerator.
Take out the trash, making sure lids are secure on outdoor garbage.
Water plants (indoor and outdoor)

Enjoy a worry free vacation!

Contractors In High Demand

Contractor Hotline was founded in August 2006, when the economy was strong and demand for home improvement services was high. Those days were much like the present, when good contractors stayed busy with their customer’s home repair and remodeling needs. But, those days didn’t last long before the recession pretty much brought business to a grinding halt.

Prior to that time, we knocked on a lot of doors trying to get the attention of good contractors interested in new business. By the end of 2008 the tables began to turn and many of those same contractors were seeking out our services. Over time we retained a lot of those original contractors, recruited many more, and built a solid network of quality home improvement professionals. We have been through these times together and value the relationships we have with each other.

Fast forward, we now find ourselves in an interesting housing market. If you have sought out the services of a contractor lately, you likely discovered delays are imminent, especially on larger scale projects. Several factors contribute to current conditions.

Real estate inventory continues to be modest, helping drive home values higher. Many homeowners whose property values were dramatically reduced during the recession are experiencing significant appreciation. This opens up the opportunity for many to make long deferred home maintenance improvements. Others are updating or remodeling their existing homes, rather than waiting to find the next ideal home to purchase. For those who are selling their homes, repairs or updates are sometimes necessary to prepare the home to show well and sell quickly for the best price. New buyers often make improvements such as painting or replacing flooring, before moving in. Each of these circumstances, in addition to an upsurge in new construction, all contribute to an increased demand for good contractor.

Remodeling contractors report they are the busiest they have been in ten years. Some are booking work as far out as 6-12 months. While this can be good news for contractors, it puts an increased strain on the consumer. Homeowners pressured to get work done sometimes take risks, knowingly or unknowingly. Just like the days prior to the recession, stories of illegitimate contractors posing as licensed, bonded, and insured professionals are becoming more common. Contractors disappearing with a homeowner’s deposit, abandoning a job midway, or doing shoddy work are on the rise. Some employees of contracting firms decide to grab the brass ring and strike out on their own. What many of them fail to understand is that it takes a lot more than being a great mason, painter, or remodeling contractor to run a successful business. What goes on in the background such as paying off vendors, obtaining lien releases, and keeping current on insurance premiums and taxes, can impact their customers.

Hiring a contractor during high demand times not only requires due diligence, but also planning as far in advance as possible. Setting unrealistic goals can be stressful and lead to disappointment. Allow 6-12 months for larger scale remodels and home additions. In a soft market when contractors are readily available it can still take weeks and sometimes months to go through the process of meeting contractors, procuring proposals, and obtaining permits. The better prepared you are from the start will help expedite the process. Larger projects may require building plans before contractors can provide bids. Finish materials need to be decided upon and a budget established. Reviewing proposals, checking references, and finalizing a contract are all important steps, prior to getting on the contractor’s schedule. It’s easy to see how it can take months just to reach this point.

Some improvements are seasonal, such as exterior painting for example. Waiting until the weather is ideal is often too late to get on a good painter’s schedule. Starting the process in late winter or early spring helps to ensure there will be multiple contractors to choose from and that your project will be completed during the optimum season.

If you plan to sell your home in the next 6-12 months, now would be the time to have a professional home inspection. A thorough inspection will likely cost less than $500 and well worth the money spent. It should include the structural components, basement or crawl space, foundation, drainage, attic, electrical, plumbing, heating & air conditioning systems, and the full exterior. Allowing plenty of time to address any problem areas in advance will help make the sale of the home go more smoothly. You will also have the option to share the report with prospective buyers, which can be a positive selling point.

Buyers often want to make improvements to their new home before moving in. If the seller is agreeable to allowing prospective contractors into the home prior to closing, this will help expedite the bidding process. Deciding on a contractor and getting your project scheduled prior to possession will save valuable time. Focus on the projects that would be most difficult to complete after you have moved into the home. Painting and flooring are much easier to complete in a vacant house. Larger remodels may require a delayed move-in date or completing in stages so a portion of the home can be closed off from the construction area.

It is realistic to expect the demand for home improvement professionals to remain high for the foreseeable future. Regardless of the size of your next project, it is imperative to plan ahead and be patient.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

The following checklist will help you prepare your home for fall and winter. Taking time now to ensure your home is prepared for rain, wind, and colder temperatures will give you peace of mind, increase your homes efficiency, and could save money on costly emergency repairs.

Fertilize and apply weed killer to lawn

Trim trees and bushes away from sides of house and over roof and gutters

Blow out irrigation system

Remove, drain, and store hoses

Insulate outside faucets and close shut-off valves

Clean and store/cover outdoor furniture, BBQ, and tools

Ensure winter tools are accessible and ready for use Inspect drainage system around foundation of home

Inspect roof for leaks or damaged shingles and flashing

Flush and inspect gutters, downspouts, and storm drains; inspect regularly

Inspect crawl space and attic for rodents and adequate insulation

Have garage door and opener serviced

Replace worn thresholds and weather stripping around doors and windows; caulk as needed

Wash windows inside and out; remove screens and install storm windows

Wrap exposed water pipes in crawl space, basement, or garage

Check for air leaks on exterior walls where pipes enter the house; caulk or add insulation as needed

Wrap water heater with insulated blanket

Have chimney cleaned and inspected

Clean dryer duct; clean vent after each use

Have heating system inspected and serviced

Replace furnace filters monthly, or as recommended

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly; replace batteries annually

Prepare emergency kit in the event of a power outage or emergency.

Spring & Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer will be here soon! Are you ready to get a jump on your spring and summer home maintenance projects? It’s a good idea to finish much of your home maintenance now before the weather gets too hot. The following checklist will help you get started.

Inspect home’s exterior for winter storm damage

Complete exterior repairs as needed to roof, gutters, chimney, siding, windows, foundation, porch, deck, walkways, and driveway

Clean roof if needed

Flush and inspect gutters & downspouts

Trim trees/bushes near buildings & power lines; remove dead/damaged branches once new growth is apparent

De-thatch lawn with a good raking prior to first mowing; mow lawn down to 2 inches before grass is over 2 ½ inches tall, leaving no less than ½ inch of growth; lightly apply quality fertilizer with weed killer

Power wash siding, porch, deck, patio, walkways, and driveway

Paint interior & exterior as needed

Wash windows inside & out (check for mold around windows and moisture between panes); remove storm windows and install screen

Have automatic garage door opener serviced

Clean dryer vent and replace/clean filters and/or coils on all household appliances and heating/cooling systems

Clean Carpeting

Organize garage or storage areas

Test smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors monthly