Now that the weather is turning warmer, many homeowners across the United States look to complete a variety of projects around the house. Because there are always so many things homeowners want to do around the house, it can be hard to decide which projects to start first. Here are some great summer home improvement ideas to get you started:
Have a new roof installed.
This has to top the list of the best summer home improvement ideas though not everyone needs it. Typically, experts in residential roofing services say that homeowners should inspect their roofs between once and twice a year. Depending on the age of the house and the roof, looking into new roofs may make sense. This is not a cheap project, however. Putting in a new roof can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.
Of course, a new roof can increase the value of your home, make the building more energy-efficient, and provide you and your family with better protection from the elements. Between hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes, the United States has some of the most volatile weather on the planet. If your roof is getting long in the tooth, a new one can reduce your costs for insurance as well. Moreover, a reputable residential roofing company can save you money in the long run as the average homeowner spends anywhere from 1 to 4% of the value of the property every year just on repairs for their roof. By having a more durable roof installed, you can lower these costs, or cut them out altogether. Your new roof can end up paying for itself.
Replace or repair your gutters.
Gutters and downspouts are very important for the longevity of your home. You may have gutters contractors you use to clean your gutter and they can give you an idea of their status. Water is the ultimate enemy of your foundation so you need your gutters and downspouts to keep it away.
If you or your contractors notice a lot of holes or bent areas on your gutters or downspouts, you may have to bypass the repairs and head straight to replacement. If you have gutters that are no longer protecting your home, you can end up with an expensive flood as water can start to pool near your foundation.
Take a look at your garage.
A lot of people do not think a lot about their garage or the garage door but if you are looking for great summer home improvement ideas, this may be a good place to start. Just getting the place organized can make a big difference in your quality of life. Take a look at what you have in the garage and how it is stored. A new garage storage cabinet may be all you to need to calm the clutter.
If you use your garage to store large items like fishing boats with a boat trailer, the summer is the best time to look at this space. When you move your boat to the water, you may see that your garage is in need of some care and feeding.
Another option you may want to consider it a garage door replacement. The good news is that this is not something you have to do every year but is worth thinking about. If it has been a long time, you may benefit from putting a new door in. This can make your home look better, lower your utility bills, and make your home safer.
Spring cleaning can do a home some good.
Many people like to use the coming of spring as a great reason to clean up their homes. People all over the country do a thorough cleaning of the inside of the house but the exterior may need a deep clean as well.
Opting for a power wash can make the home look younger. By removing mold, sentiment, algae, mildew, dirt that has been allowed to build up on the shingles or siding, and whatever else has stuck itself to your home, you can make it look like a new place. Getting rid of anything that has grown or become attached to your siding can also help extend the life of your home. The same way a paint job is the first line of defense for a car, your siding or shingles provide your home with that service.
There is no “one size fits all” way to look at cleaning your home. There are tools and equipment you can get to do the job yourself or you can get a professional to come in and take care of it. If you are new to power washing, it may be worth it to go with someone who has experience doing this so there is no damage done to the house. Either way, this is a fast way to make a big change in how your home looks and feels (and smells). If you are looking for good summer home improvement ideas, this should be at the top of the list.
Take a look at your outside living spaces.
When most people are thinking about good summer home improvement ideas, one of the first things they think about is new landscaping. This is also one of the best ways to add value to a home. Nearly all real estate experts say they recommend their clients start the home selling process by working on their landscaping.
The reason for this is simple. The first thing people notice about a property is how it looks from the outside. No matter how great the interior looks, if the exterior looks like a train wreck, that is all people will focus on. The irony is that while fixing up your home’s landscaping can add up to 30% to your home’s value, it is one of the most cost-effective projects you can pick.
Depending on what you have done in the past with your outdoor spaces, this project may be a simple one or more complicated. Take a look at what plants you have already and bring in a professional if you think you need more help making your place look great.
Even if you do not want to totally redo your foliage, just having the shrubs cut and the lawn mowed with a zero turn mower can make your home look a lot better. If you have not done this already, putting in plants that are native to where you live can make it easier to care for them and make your yard more eco-friendly.
Put in a new, smart thermostat.
New programmable thermostats are inexpensive and can make a big difference in your utility bills. The really good news is that this is one of the least costly summer home improvement ideas around. These will let you set custom profiles to keep your home comfortable when people are in the home. Energy Star has estimated that making the switch to a programmable thermostat can cut energy bills by about $180.
You can also go with a thermostat that can connect to your WiFi. That will let you both set a custom plan for your home’s temperature but also lets you check on your heating and cooling system when you are away from the home. Many can be checked from a smartphone so if you are at the office or on vacation, you can check and change the temperature in your home. Experts say these say save homeowners about 15% on their cooling costs and between 10 and 12% on costs to heat the place.
Whichever way you go, these are easy to install and do not cost a lot.
Consider putting in a fan for the whole house.
If you live in a warmer part of the country and want to lower your costs to keep your home cool, you may want to look into putting in a whole house fan. These are best when you also have ceiling fans in your home. When you have both kinds of fan, they will work together to move air around the home and make everyone feel cooler. Typically, the fans pull air from the bottom of the home and expel it through the attic.
It is very possible to make this a DIY project but many people opt to bring in a professional to do the job for them. Unless you have done this before, the pro can make sure the installation is completed properly, which will increase the efficiency of the system and keep it as quiet as possible.
Put in new windows.
This is one of the best ways to improve your home’s energy-efficiency. They will keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are a few reasons for this.
The first reason you will increase the energy-efficiency of your home is that new windows are made from better materials. They are often double pained and include an inert gas, such as argon, which keeps the energy transfer from the outside to the inside to a minimum.
The other reason this is one of the best summer home improvement ideas is that you are also replacing the seals around your windows. Many homeowners do not realize how much of their heating and cooling slips out from cracks or spaces around their windows. Many people lose a lot of hot and cold air this way.
Another great benefit to new windows is they will keep your home quieter. Noisy neighbors? You will not hear them as well if you have new windows.
Add a wood patio or deck.
This is one of the larger summer home improvement ideas but can make a huge difference in how you use your home. Many people see the spaces around the home as extensions of the house itself. The addition of a wood deck to a home can add enough value to the property to make it pay for itself. By some estimates, you can make back about 75% of what you put in when you sell your home.
Keep in mind there are costs other than the installation of a deck or patio. You also have to properly maintain it. The upside of putting in a wood patio vs. a metal one is that is costs a lot less to use wood. Also, wood is better at holding onto its value.
Redo the kitchen.
Many homeowners view their kitchens as the “heart of the home.” If it has been a long time since you put in your kitchen, it may be in need of some renovations. This is another great way to add value to your home. This may not be on your list of summer home improvement ideas but it should be.
Even if you do not want a total renovation of your kitchen, you can make it look better by doing a few simple things. Here are a few:
- Put in new appliances. This does not have to require a second mortgage on the house as they are often on sale. New appliances will improve the look at feel of your kitchen and they use less energy. When you do this, you should also look at your pipes. If they are as old or older than your appliances, you can bring in a good plumber to make those changes.
- Put in some new lighting. Moden lighting can do wonders in your kitchen in terms of how it looks and how you use the space. Many homebuyers today like to see lighting under the cabinets as well as good overhead lighting so keep that in mind when you are redoing your light fixtures.
- Put in new or rehab your existing cabinets. You do not have to get all new stuff but adding new doors and hardware to your cabinets can totally change the look at feel of your kitchen space. Good lighting in a kitchen also makes the space easier to use. It is hard to cook an amazing meal if you cannot see what you are doing.
Consider giving your home a paint job.
If you clean your home with a power washer and you still think it needs something, you can go all in and have the place painted. This is another one of the summer home improvement ideas that will make people stop and take notice. Doing this adds a lot of value to a home and has a positive impact on the curb appeal of the property.
After you have the color you want to use, your next decision is if you will do the job yourself or if you will pay a professional. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, you may want to have some pros come and give you an estimate.
What projects you pick is very personal.
When you are thinking about different summer home improvement ideas, what you decide to do is really up to you. You may have projects you have dreamed of for a long time or maybe you want to sell your home. Remember, whatever you do not get to this summer, you can always tackle next summer!
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