Winter is the time when you need to have your home in shape and ready for the cold. Even if the season is mild, the increased precipitation and moisture can still cause extensive damage if you’re not prepared for it.
That’s why tackling a home improvement project for this season is often critical for today’s homeowners. Since most of the work can be completed for under $1,000, you’ll have a cost-effective investment that can often prevent more extensive damage from occurring.
If you need any help with these projects, be sure to reach out to our team at your convenience. We’ll be happy to answer whatever questions you have with the following updates, upgrades, and repairs.
1. Get Your Flooring Ready
Winter causes people to track all sorts of debris into their homes. Whether you have carpet or hardwood floors, the damage risks are extensive. The moisture soaks into the material, causing mold, rot, and expansion risks.
Hardwood floors should be refinished regularly to extend their life. Most homes can have this work done professionally for under $1,000 – especially if there’s only a room or two that needs the work.
It’s also a great time to consider having your carpets professionally cleaned. You’ll need to do this work at least once per year to keep your home looking and smelling great.
2. Install New Windows
If you have a home built or updated in the 1960s to the 1980s, you might still have the old aluminum frames installed. Unfortunately, that means you probably have a lot of condensation coming into your home in the winter months.
Upgrading to vinyl casement windows, especially when they’re double-glazed, can increase the energy efficiency of your property. In addition, since the materials don’t need to be painted or stained, the work is relatively straightforward.
Casement windows also provide plenty of ventilation when opened.
Although you won’t get to replace all your windows for under $1,000, you could take care of a broken one that’s letting in tons of cold air.
3. Update Your Electric Infrastructure
As winter arrives, your electricity bill invariably rises. That’s because your lights stay on longer with the shorter days, you have added heating costs, and you’re staying indoors more.
Since you’re dealing with snow and mud more often, you’re doing more laundry.
That means it’s the perfect time to upgrade your home’s electric infrastructure. For under $1,000, the first step is to install GFCI outlets in any areas where water could get into the circuit. Anything near a kitchen or bathroom sink should receive this upgrade.
The outlets are about $20 each for entry-level options. Even if you have a half-dozen to do, you can hire a handyperson or electrician to complete the work without spending a fortune.
It’s also a great time to have your panel inspected or consider a direct upgrade for a stove.
Upgrading your circuits for more amps or other updates is always worthwhile. Just remember that any updates you DIY must comply with codes, which means an inspection might be necessary.
When you work with a professional team for this winter home improvement project, the administrative work gets taken care of on your behalf.
4. Improve Your Doors
Most homeowners prefer a wooden door for the aesthetic appeal it delivers. You get a fantastic combination of strength, elegance, and affordability.
You also need to treat a wood door with varnish or paint each season to protect it from rain, wind, and snow. If any moisture gets into the material, it could start to rot.
That’s why upgrading to a steel or fiberglass door is becoming a more popular option. Not only are these materials energy efficient, but they’ll also have fewer maintenance costs than wood over the product’s lifetime.
If you love your front door, it might be time to weatherproof it for the winter season. Sweeps, fillers, and other options can help it keep the cold air out while you’re enjoying time inside.
5. HVAC System
Winter is the perfect time to give your furnace or heating system an inspection or an upgrade. Even if everything is in working order, you’ll want to have your ducts, fans, and parts cleaning. If things have sat idle for the past year, the smell of burning dust is not something you want in your home.
While you’re having the HVAC system inspected, it’s a good idea to take a look at your water heater. If it’s at least seven years old, you might want to consider replacing it.
You can update your home while sticking to a $1,000 budget by taking these steps. It’s essential to act before the cold settles in so that your investment can save the most money possible.
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