The weather is getting warmer which means spending time working on your home. It’s the best time to tackle projects that need to get done – fix your yard to look perfect, repair your roof, complete a home makeover, or whatever else you want to do.

Do you want to do something but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some common (and a few uncommon) home improvement projects you could do this summer.

Don’t Just Maintain your Yard, Make It Perfect
 

A yard can be tricky to handle. Weeding, mowing, watering, pruning, trimming and more are required just to maintain it. Improving it requires even more effort, but the satisfaction of having your yard just the way you want is immense.

Before pulling out the shovel, take some time to plan what you want to do and research it. If you want to plant a tree, don’t just go out and buy any tree. You need to understand how big it will grow, what type of soil it will grow in, what climate it can thrive in, etc. Additionally, you should plan any changes to your yard and research costs, how much work it will take, and if you can do the work or if you’ll need a professional to help.

It’s important to think about any consequences that might happen when working in the yard. Planting a tree might add shade to the yard but could also lead to roots growing and breaking sprinkler lines. Putting in a flower garden will add color to the yard, but also require more work regularly to keep it weed free and watered. Be sure you understand what could happen with each project and be willing to deal with the consequences.

Make Necessary Repairs

Homes have regular wear and tear and maintenance becomes necessary. There are two types of repairs to make in your home: reactionary and preventative. If something is broken and causing a problem, you react to fix it. Likely you will see signs of a break, like a leaky roof, a warm fridge, or something just doesn’t work correctly. Preventative repairs are when you know something is getting older or worn down and fixing or replacing it before it becomes a problem.

First, focus on reactionary repairs. Ignoring these will likely lead to much more damage requiring costly repairs. This could include fixing broken appliances, patching a roof, repairing a leaky faucet, or anything else plaguing your home.

Next you can start working on preventative repairs. This could include fixing up or replacing an old HVAC system, patching a roof after a bad hailstorm, or refinishing your hardwood floors. Anything that is reaching the end of its life cycle or is a little damaged is a good candidate for preventative repairs.

Renovating or Doing a Home Makeover

From painting a room a new color to building a new kitchen, renovating your home is a great way to make your home feel fresh and new! If you have the means, time and drive, you can do a lot to improve your home.

Design what you want to do, then research how much money and time it would take to make it happen. Measure what you need, do price comparisons, and write out a plan. Then buy your supplies and get to work.

If you are doing a massive project, you might need to figure out how to live around the work. Renovating your bathroom might mean going a few days or even weeks without it. A kitchen or bedroom remodel would put you in a similar situation. Be prepared to go without the room or utilities for longer than expected in case something unexpected happens during the project.

Go on a Maintenance Spree

There are many things in a home that require regular maintenance that go unnoticed. When was the last time you changed your HVAC filters, cleaned your dishwasher, or defrosted your freezer? Alone, each item likely isn’t difficult or time consuming, but tackling all of them could be.

Go through your home and inspect each area, from the home itself to appliances and furniture. Research and identify common maintenance tasks and make a list to tackle. This way, your home can be in tip top shape and hopefully decrease the likelihood for necessary repairs.

Here are some common maintenance items to get you started:

• Replace the HVAC filters
• Replace the fridge’s water filter
• Defrost the freezer
• Clean the dishwasher
• Drain the water heater
• Deep clean the carpets
• Deep clean your mattress and couches
• Trim trees or bushes

Can You Afford the Projects?

Many home improvement projects require money. Materials, tools, and professional work are costs that add up. Before you get started, make sure you have enough finances.

Write a budget for the costs for each project you want to do. Be sure you can afford projects by dipping into savings or using your regular income. Smaller projects aren’t too expensive, but larger ones can quickly reach hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If the project gets too large to pay for in one lump sum, there are other ways to finance it. Pioneer offers multiple types of Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) to best match your situation. You can use a HELOC to cover summer project expenses or repairs anytime. You’ll then pay back the loan in monthly installments your budget can handle.

Learn More About HELOC!