Buying a home in or around Austin TX? Here are some tips on home improvement projects to tackle before you get settled into your new house.
You’ve just bought your home or you are closing on it soon. You want to add some personal touches to make it your own, like painting the interior walls and installing new flooring. Most people recommend these home renovations should be done after you move in. This is so you can live in the house, get a good feel for it and then make the decisions on what you really want to do with it. Not a bad idea but some things are not going to change if you wait and would be so much easier if done first.
Why not get started before you move in? An empty house means your furniture won’t be in danger of paint, dust or other damage. Also you or your contractors can take advantage of an open space which can save time and money. Most importantly, you and your family can limit exposure to renovation dust and odors that can be hazardous to your health.
Try tackling these home improvement projects before the moving into your new-to-you home.
- Kitchen and or Bathroom Remodeling
There are many simple ways of personalizing and updating, outdated looks in any home.
- New appliances
- Countertops and vanities
- Changing out fixtures
- Changing out hardware
Classic hardware is a worthwhile upgrade or to give your bath a designer touch with matching accessories. New appliances that match will always make a difference and updating the countertops. Any one of these if needed will help subtly enhance the look and feel of the entire space. For cabinetry, look at stock or semi-custom options available from the big-box stores (such as KraftMaid at Lowe’s and Pegasus at Home Depot) or a kitchen-and-bath retailer. To snag a deal, ask about damaged or undelivered orders. Check Craigslist.org, too. If your cabinet is in good shape, you might want to replace just the top.
Health tip:If you are going with refaced cabinets, the formaldehyde glues will off-gas in your home for a long time, so choose cabinets labeled NAUF, which means no added urea formaldehyde. Make health a priority and ventilate the house.
- Flooring Installation & Refinishing
What kind of floors are in the home now and what look are you going for? New flooring feels clean and looks nice too. This is an easy way to add your personal touch and feel right at home when the moving truck arrives.
- Tile
- Carpet
- Wood
- Veneer or Laminate
In an older home, you might be lucky enough to find something salvageable underneath that old carpeting. Like wood that can be refinished!
Health tip: For all the DIY people reading this take precautions when prepping, sanding and applying the new finish. Go to Tree House and find out what the best product is that is safe to use in a home. Make health a priority and ventilate the house.
If you chose to installing new carpet, be aware off-gassing again. Installing wool as opposed to synthetics may help but don’t forget to make health a priority. If the house already has carpet and you are going to keep it, be sure to get it professionally cleaned (you don’t even want to think of what is lurking within).
Remove that old tile! If your new home has old tile you would like to replace, definitely get rid of it before you move in. Living in a house while tile removal is going one is not fun for anyone.
Health tip: The dust from tile removal is very unhealthy and is hard to get rid of. At Austin Dustless we help to help keep the dust from going airborne and getting into every part of your home including the ventilation system.
- Painting Walls
Changing the color is a simple project that can personalize your home for little cost.
- Remove any unwanted color
- Add color to a house with white everything
- Add an accent wall to a room
- Personalize an office or kids room
There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to improve the look and feel of a room. Finding the perfect paint color can change the way you feel about any room. Paint can make a room brighter, bigger, feel cleaner or it can make it feel dark and small. Again this is better to do before the home is full of furniture and wall art.
Consider these other tips to make your painting experience healthy for everyone in your home.
Health tip: Use fans and keep your windows open when painting to help prevent your home from filling up with paint fumes. Choose water-based over oil-based paint whenever possible. Keep pregnant women and young children away from freshly painted rooms. Let it air out for at least 3 days.
Get a free estimate for removing your old flooring. Remember to always make health a priority!
