When it comes to home improvement, be aware that you should never pay more than 35% of the project cost up front as a down payment. This is to ensure that you do not lose your money if the contractor backs out. Always pay by some method of payment that can be tracked such as check, instead of cash. Finally, only pay for the complete job when the job is actually completed.
Do your own homework if you can't afford a professional designer. Books, magazines and websites contain a plethora of information you can use. Magazines can be a great way to figure out what you'd like a room to look like. In addition, these resources can inform you on how to perform cheaper renovation projects.
An average-sized home that is poorly insulated can lose as much as 25 percent of its heat during the autumn and winter months. While updating your attic with glass fiber insulation materials may seem like a significant cost up front, you will quickly break even with the amount of money saved on your monthly heating bills. If your home heating costs are out of control, consider insulating your attic to save money. Heat rises and, over time, a lot of it is lost during the colder seasons in houses that have poor insulation in the attic. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it's quite simple to install.
Give any room a new look easily by changing the window treatments. Curtains do not cost a lot and offer an easy way to redecorate a room through new textures, patterns and colors. You'll even find it affordable to change your room's look to suit the changing of the seasons: try light colors in the spring and summer, and switch to darker, more intense shades during the cooler parts of the year.
You probably thought you couldn't do this by yourself. Using these tips will allow you to tackle the projects without the expense of the contractor.