With fall approaching you may be looking around your home to see what needs to be done; and while some home improvement projects, like roofing jobs, can really put a dent in your budget, there are some things you can do that won’t break the bank. There are many home improvement projects that cost less than $500, but these are the top four.
I’ll bet you were expecting four do-it-yourself home improvement projects, but hiring a handyman may be one of the smartest things you can do. There are many things you can accomplish with the help of a professional handyman; he or she has experience in areas you may not feel comfortable tackling and he or she can help you identify things that need to be done. Just remember handyman services usually have a trip charge, so try to have several projects lined up for the visit, so you get your money’s worth.
The next fall project is duct cleaning; basically this is accomplished by hooking up a super-sized vacuum to your intake vent and sucking out all the crud that has accumulated over the years. This can cost as little as $100, depending on what area of the country you live in, but the average cost is less than $500. This process will not only help your heating unit run more efficiently this winter, but if you have anyone in your home that has respiratory problems or allergies, they will breathe easier.
Driveway sealing is an excellent fall project; this will keep you driveway from wearing away and make it look better as well. Most companies charge by the square foot or 1,000 square feet; so the price will depend on the size of your driveway; and how many coats of sealant your driveway requires. Most homeowners can usually get this job done for $500 or less. This is something that many homeowners choose to do themselves; it is not a hard project and doing it yourself will save you money.
The final fall project is carpet cleaning; carpet manufacturers recommend that carpets be cleaned every 12 to 18 months, however, most homeowner have their carpets cleaned every 6 to 8 years. Most companies charge between $.16 and $.20 per square foot, making this an affordable project that will make your home look and smell cleaner. However, if you’re like me and have dogs, you may own a carpet cleaner; and fall is a great time to break it out and clean all your carpets instead of just the stains. However, professionals with professional equipment may do a more thorough job and it may be well worth the money to have your carpets professionally cleaned. Some companies will combine carpet and duct cleaning into one visit, saving you even more money.
Tags: carpet cleaning, do-it-yourself home improvement, driveway sealing, handyman, hiring a handyman