Every year, scores of people dive into new lifestyles promising themselves they will lose weight, change unhealthy habits or spend more time with loved ones. Even the best-intentioned resolutions have a tendency to fall by the wayside, so what if you poured your energy into renovation resolutions instead and put self improvement aside and invested in some good, old fashioned home improvement?
By setting small but realistic renovation goals, you will be able to make changes you can enjoy daily in your home, rather than that gym membership which will haunt you for months to come if you slip back into your old ways.
Get Some Quotes
Half the problem with starting a renovation – big or small – is that it often seems a bit overwhelming or you assume it’s just far too expensive. It makes no sense to write off a project when you haven’t done your research properly. If you fancy a new bathroom, fresh floors, or even a small extension out the back, call in the professionals and get their input.
Many tradespeople will quote free of charge and will be happy to answer any questions you have. A good tradesperson will provide excellent advice and offer genuine renovation experience you’ll be hard pressed to match. There is a chance you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the financial investment required to update your home. And if not, at least you can stop wondering and start saving.
Spend On The Boring (Structural) Stuff First
Fixing any problems you have that are structural in nature should be at the very top of your resolution list. If you’ve spent 2015 watching that crack in the wall make steady progress across the living room, call in an expert in 2016 and make sure it isn’t a sign of a bigger problem. Some cracks and movement are to be expected, especially in older homes. But if you fail to get a professional assessment, these issues can very quickly escalate into much larger problems that can threaten your investment and cause very big financial headaches down the track. Fixing structural issues is a prime example of bearing short term pain for long term gain.
Set Aside One Day
If there are odd jobs around the house you’ve been putting off but know need doing, roll up your sleeves and get involved. If it’s something small you can tackle yourself it’s well worth putting aside a day to paint that fence, clear that garden or finish the retaining wall. The summer months are an excellent time to get out in the yard and slog out the outstanding jobs, as you can take advantage of the longer days and tackle the projects before the work year takes off in earnest. You’ll thank yourself afterwards, and you may even get a taste for renovating and start planning bigger and better projects.
Put Together The Ultimate Toolkit
If you’re the kind of person who likes to get all their ducks in a row before tackling any kind of project, this is the resolution for you. Slip into the summer sales and pick up all the essentials for home ownership.
A responsible homeowner should have at least the following in their arsenal: a hammer, a cordless drill, a variety screws, a screwdriver kit with varying heads, sandpaper and a tape measure. Once you’re kitted out you’ll be more inclined to finish those small niggly jobs. At the very least you’ll need to be more creative with your excuses when you’ve got all the tools on hand.
