Best Home Improvement Projects for Fall

We all have our to-do lists, but it goes without saying that some tasks are better left to the professionals. It's tempting to want to do everything ourselves, but it's also imperative that any home improvement projects that we do take on are done correctly to avoid a DIY disaster and the potential long-term consequences that often accompany them. Fall tends to be a popular time of the year to carry out many of these home improvement projects, as we all want to take care of business before the cold, winter months arrive. And if you're hesitant to take on a project yourself or aren't confident the outcome will be a successful one, we're here to help. Here's a look at some of the best home improvement projects to carry out during the fall months and why they are particularly important at this time of the year:

Great Home Improvement Projects for Fall

Caulk Your Windows and Doors

With winter and cold temperatures fast approaching, eliminating drafts or any areas where heat can escape the property is important. That's why it's always a good idea to caulk around your windows and doors. Doing so can keep your home more comfortable during the cold weather months, help reduce your energy bill, and help pests and other critters from entering your home. 

Install New Insulation

Insulation can help your home retain heat during the cold weather months and cool air during the warm weather months. It can also help prevent condensation, reduce your energy bills and reduce outside noise. Whether you need new insulation in your attic or within wall cavities, we'll make sure it's done correctly so you can maximize your return on investment and keep your home more comfortable.

Power Wash Your Home's Exterior

Give your home that nice new shine this fall by having us power wash your brick and siding. A good, thorough power washing helps remove stains and mildew, and helps enhance your curb appeal. When done correctly, it can even eliminate the likelihood of repairs that you'll need to make down the line due to rot and decay.

Seal Coat Your Driveway

The regular freeze and thaw cycle that winter weather tends to bring with it can have some major long-term consequences on your driveway, potentially compromising its structural integrity and resulting in cracks and chips. It's why applying a thorough seal coating is often a smart thing to do during the fall months, as it can prevent water from penetrating the pavement and causing harm. A good seal coating can also help reduce repair costs and make your driveway look better.

Repair Water Damage

Did your finished basement leak last spring or summer? Did a pipe burst inside a wall cavity and create a mess of the drywall? Are parts of your wood deck or porch rotting? Water damage is a serious threat to the structural integrity of your home, and subsequent mold growth that stems from it can wreak havoc on your family. Whether you need some drywall replaced or new wood beams on your back deck, we can handle that so the structural integrity is restored and any mold is gone for good. 

Contact Us Today

While it can be tempting to try to perform many of the fall home improvement projects on your to-do list yourself, the last thing you want is a DIY disaster on your hands. That's where it pays to pass off any work to a professional, qualified handyman - and that's where we can help. We'll repair, replace and install whatever it is that you need. For more information on our handyman services and how we can help check items off your to-do list this fall, contact us today.

Updating Your Home on a Budget

If you're an avid DIYer, you're already on your way to saving money. But with the right planning, you can transform the feel of a whole room with a single project that only costs you a few hundred bucks.

Easy Home Upgrades You Can Do on a Budget

Pick from our round-up of value-boosting upgrades that all come in under the $500 mark—some well under. Not only will they be soft on your wallet now, but some of these will even save you money in the future. Check out our easy home improvement ideas below.

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Top 5 Updates for Your Bedroom

Although you spend most of the hours in your bedroom asleep, itʼs still important to update this part of your home from to time. A few easy changes can help you create a more comfortable and cozy environment so that you get a great nightʼs sleep on a regular basis. Keep the following ideas for a bedroom update in mind.

Paint Your Bedroom

Putting a new coat of paint on the walls might be all you need to give your bedroom a fresh look. Whether youʼre going with a similar color as what you have now or trying an entirely different tone, painting is a simple way to update your bedroom. Since this can be a time-consuming project, consider having professionals paint your bedroom for you. Professionals can handle the entire project from start to finish, including preparing the walls beforehand, which helps ensure that you end up with an expertly painted bedroom.

Get a New Floor

If the floor in your bedroom looks outdated or if itʼs getting worn, think about putting in a new one. Investing in a new floor can improve your bedroomʼs appearance while also making giving you a better surface to walk around on. Whether you choose hardwood flooring, laminate floors, or another material, your new floor can add visual appeal to your bedroom. Having professionals install your new floor is a great way to make sure itʼs done properly, so you have a solid, even surface to walk on.

Add a Bathroom

Home projects for your bedroom donʼt necessarily have to focus on the sleeping part of this room. Adding a bathroom offers a highly effective way to make your main bedroom more practical and even enhance its appearance. Having a bathroom installed inside your bedroom gives you more privacy and convenience overall, such as when youʼre getting ready in the morning. Professional contractors can help you come up with the right design for your new bathroom and help you tie it into the rest of your bedroom in terms of its style and design.

Install Shelving

Whether you need more storage in your bedroom or want somewhere to display items, consider putting in new shelving. Shelving is available in a wide range of designs and styles, so you can choose the ideal kind for your bedroom. You can have shelves installed to store items in an out of the way corner or area in your bedroom. Another option is to have shelving installed near your bed for practical purposes, such as to store books you might read before bed. You can also have shelves installed in highly visible areas, so you can place decorative items on them for interior design purposes.

Get New Wood Trim

If your wood trim is looking worn, updating it can go a long way toward improving the overall look of your bedroom. Think about having professionals remove your existing wood trim and install brand new trim. You can choose wood trim that creates a contrasting yet pleasant effect compared to the walls and floor, or go with wood trim that blends in more with these surrounding surfaces.

Giving your bedroom a new look and feel doesnʼt have to end up costing you thousands of dollars. Simple home projects like the ones mentioned above can make your bedroom much more comfortable and appealing. Please contact Bright Star Handyman Service today to schedule your free quote for a bedroom update.

https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/colors/g1287/colorfulbedroom-decorating-ideas/ https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/best-bedroom-flooring https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/bedroom-closet/evaluate-your-housemaster-suite-addition/ https://www.hgtv.com/design/design-blog/design/floating-shelves-done-right https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/9-ways-to-dress-up-a-room-withmolding-46899

Easy Weekend DIY Projects

As the days grow chillier, we are reminded of the upcoming holidays, a busy time that involves entertaining and hosting company. Why not give your home a refresher before the hoopla begins? Your guests will appreciate an inviting space, and you’ll enjoy showing off the fruits of your labor!

Today we make it easy on you by rounding up 10 simple weekend home improvement projects. We’re talking simple, folks. A coat of paint here and there. Some rearranging. A few strategic decorating decisions. Nothing requiring power tools or a manual! And chances are, once you get started, you may not be able to stop at just one DIY project!

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Three Ways to Freshen Up the Look of a Room

It’s finally springtime and aside from the usual ‘spring cleaning’, you might be looking for other home improvement ideas to keep yourself busy while the weather warms up enough to do the outside projects. Here are three ways to spice up your rooms this spring.

Add a Little Paint

You may be looking for something simple and affordable rather than a big expensive project, so know that a coat of fresh paint (chosen well) never hurt any aesthetic. Take to Pinterest​ to inspire you with a new color scheme to carry the fresh feel of spring throughout the rest of the year. Maybe you aren’t looking to repaint the entire house, but you know that big wall in the living room that you can never figure out what to do with? Turn it into an accent wall with a color that ‘pops’ or upcycled panels. Trellised rooms are exciting to the eye and can be a great creative project that will occupy some time.

Hang & Rearrange

Redecorating always feels good when you’re in the need for something fresh. If you aren’t emotionally attached to the artwork you have already, consider finding some new pieces to accent the room. A nice mirror or a creative family portrait montage brings a new energy into an otherwise stagnant space. There are thousands of DIY projects to incorporate some crafty art into your home during the season of fresh starts. Sometimes, even the rearranging of the furniture can give you the fresh new look you are craving! Plants can also bring a brand new life to your space.

Add Some Depth to the Walls

If you are feeling adventurous and motivated, wainscotting or paneling might be just the spring project to take on. Wainscoting is not only aesthetically pleasing, it also protects the lower portions of your walls from damage. Adding trim or molding to wainscoting creates an elegant, classy look to an otherwise boring wall. Some people are even taking to decorating their ceilings with different panel designs to add a little extra charm. However, this undertaking doesn’t have to be pricey. A suggestion is to apply a grid of 1x6 drywall panels to a drywalled surface, add a coat of paint to the grid, and then magically, the boards, stiles, and rails create a look like something out of a design magazine.

Whatever it is that calls to you, all three of these are easy enough and have millions of points of inspiration throughout the internet to help get you started on spicing up the rooms in your home before summer projects start. It is time to let go of the old and bring in the new! Reach out to Bright Star Handyman Service for all of your home renovation needs in Philadelphia and South Jersey!

10 Repairs You Should Always Hire a Handyman To Do

When it comes to home remodeling, sometimes DIY is not the answer. Be sure to call a handyman at a house renovation service near you if any of these scenarios pop up in your home.

Put up cabinets

You want your cabinets to stand out in your kitchen, but not because they weren’t put up correctly. Lining up and installing cabinets can be tricky business – letting a professional do it is well worth the cost.

Fix leaky plumbing

There’s no worse feeling than discovering a puddle under your pipes. Whether it’s a leak under your kitchen sink or (aak!) a running toilet, a handyman should be the first person you call for help.

Rewire light fixtures

Electricity is not to be messed with – it’s complicated and can be dangerous. Whether you’re installing a chandelier or simply notice an arc in your circuit, call in a professional.

Repair a furnace

Furnaces are complicated creatures and they tend to break at the most inconvenient times. A handyman in your neighborhood will be able to identify and resolve the problem, fast.

Painting the house

Sure, you could paint your own house – but have you thought about how long it might take? Your local house renovation service has the handyman and the equipment to make the job go faster and better. 

Replacing a door

Replacing a bedroom door might be a DIY job, but entry doors - especially sliding doors and screen doors – really require a special touch. Same goes with changing locks. Better safe than sorry!

Installing a gate

Gates are both functional and aesthetic – it’s important that they match your landscaping, work well for years, and are built level so they do not scrape on the ground. 

Changing out a spigot

Plumbing on the outside of the house is just as important as the inside and can be just as difficult to repair. Before you get frustrated, call in your handyman to fix your spigot in a minute.

Fixing a floor

Whether you’re repairing a patch of carpet, a cracked tile, or a damaged floorboard, your friendly neighborhood handyman will have the right tools to do the job.

Repair the stairs

Stairs not only involve finding the right materials, but they must be built to code and can include railings. Luckily, there are professionals who can help!

When choosing a handyman, it’s important to make sure that they have good references, the right qualifications, and they understand your wants and needs. At Bright Star Handyman, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today for more information!