No home, no matter how close it is to your dream home, is perfect. Many people have to settle for “almost perfect” or simply in your price range. If this is a situation you find yourself in, then don’t sit there for 30 years wishing you had a bigger kitchen or a shower instead of a bathtub.

A home is simply a shell and you can customize it however you want as long as you have the proper space. The key is to make sure you have a plan. It may take 5 or 10 years to get it to where you want it, but it takes 30 years to own it anyway.

Your first step is to write down all the changes you want to make in your home. I’m not talking about the small weekend repairs. That’s a list for another time. This is your dream house plan and it deserves its own list. If you want an island in your kitchen, a space for a dish washer, walk-in closet for your bedroom, etc., then put it on the list.

Once your list has been made, start researching and making phone calls to get estimates of how much some of the remodeling will cost. If you are handy, then you can save some cash by doing some of the work yourself, but since this is going to be your dream house you’ll want it done right and professionally, especially the finish work.

The next step is to start saving up and getting things done in steps. If you want a larger kitchen and need to take out a wall or doorway, then do it over a couple of weeks. The one caveat is that you don’t want to start tearing it down and then leave it for a few weeks or months. You need to keep the momentum going so you can finish the task and not have your house look like a disaster area for a year.

If you make a plan and stick to it, then your dream home can become a reality. It won’t happen quickly and it is going to cost you money, but it will be worth it when you can sit down and there’s nothing about your home that you want to change. That’s the dream of very homeowner, and one that is reachable if you are disciplined.

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What? How to hammer a nail? Everyone knows how to best hammer a nail right? Wrong. The goal of hammering a nail into an object is to provide support and holding power. Too often, we take this for granted and just whack it into a wall.

We end up cracking the wood or bending the nail and we just accept this as part of the procedure. There is a reason why screws have taken over many of the jobs once held by nails. Don’t let your nails fall by the wayside.  Just hammer them in correctly.

Sand The Area Of The Nail

How many times have you hammered in a nail only to have it glance off to the side? If you are lucky, it just marks up the wood, but many people end up slamming their thumb or finger. Take some sand paper and sand the area lightly. This makes the surface a little rougher and it’s easier for the nail to find traction. Don’t over do it to the point that you’ve sanded off the paint, but just enough to make it a little rougher.

Blunt The Ends Of Sharp Nails

The ends of nails are supposed to be pointy, but sharp nails also have a tendency to split the wood. This is especially true if you are hammering them into narrow boards. Take a few seconds to dull the end by hitting them with the end of the hammer. Instead of splitting the wood like a chisel, it ends up crushing the wood, pushing, instead of splitting.

Maximize Support Through Angles

Many of us want to drive nails straight and parallel to the surface of the object. For some reason, we have come to believe that this is best. Instead, not only hit the nails at an angle, but change the angles up a little. Buy nails that are longer than needed, so that you get the same depth as driving them straight, but get the best hold.

The Perfect Swing

Golfers spend hundreds of dollars trying to perfect their swing, but when it comes to hammering a nail, all you need is one simple rule: If you want to drive a nail directly into an object without bending, missing or smashing it, then keep the handle of the hammer pointed towards your hips.

I bet you didn’t think hammering a nail was this complicated, did you? If you want it perfect every time, then follow these rules, and you’ll have a positive hammering experience that won’t smash your finger.

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When the summer sun brings a garden to life or the autumn sky lights up with a symphony of lightning before a storm, many people like sitting out in their sunrooms to enjoy Mother Nature’s spectacle. Sunrooms have become popular additions to homes, but they don’t have to be major construction projects or cost an arm and a leg.

Kits Versus Built-From-Scratch

Some home improvement stores have sunroom kits designed for easy building, but these can lack the personalization of those which are built from scratch. The kits are less expensive and come with everything a homeowner needs to build the room. Sunrooms built from scratch require plans to build, and building supplies are separate. If a homeowner wants to build a nook for a 60-inch big screen or have electrical outlets for the ultimate man cave, then he can build it however he wants.

You Better Shop Around

When it comes to styles, there are endless types of sunrooms available to match the style and decor of the home. They can have sloped or gabled roofs, made of foam or wood, or be heated for winter use. They can be similar to a conservatory with glass all around, including the roof. When it comes to designing a sunroom, the sky is really the limit. It can be as simple or ornate as the budget allows.

Adding To What’s Already There

Many homeowners are discouraged from adding onto their homes because they worry about tearing down walls, and the days, or possibly weeks, of construction with an exposed house. If the home already had an outdoor porch or patio area, then the access point is already there. The homeowners just need to enclose the porch with some single pane glass and any other amenities they want.

Permit Please

As with any construction project, the municipality may require a building permit, depending on the size of the project. Building a major project without a permit can be costly and delay the build. Law enforcement can stop the build and fine the homeowner. A permit must be approved before the build can continue and that can add days or weeks to a project.

Sunrooms give the feeling of being outdoors without the bug bites and sweltering heat that comes with actually being outside. They are the perfect addition to any nature lover’s home, so if you’re thinking about adding a sunroom to your home, make sure you shop around.

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It’s no secret that home prices are dropping faster each year. It’s definitely a buyers market, but what about those selling their homes or hoping to get a home equity loan or line of credit? There are some things you can do to help increase your home’s value, so when the appraisal comes, you’re not going to be hit with negative sticker shock.

Landscaping

Don’t forget that a well-manicured and landscaped lawn can help add to the value of a home. You can add some trees, bushes, flower beds and other garden plants to create an outside space that is as beautiful as the inside. Planting and taking care of the plants can be extensive, but the cost can be minimal, and yield a greater result in the end.

Updated Appliances

If your stove looks like something from the Donna Reed show and your fridge makes more noise than the garbage disposal, you might want to update the appliances. When you sell your home, the appliances will play a big part of what people look for and can help increase the price of the home. The downside is the monetary commitment, but think of it as an investment. You get brand new appliances and your home’s value goes up.

Fixer Upper

Through the years, a home can get the occasional ding on the wall or scuff on the floor. While merely cosmetic, it will have an impact when an appraiser does his walk through. Dirty walls, stains in the carpet and other issues that naturally happen over time can lower your home’s market value. Clean it up and fix any problems before the appraiser arrives.

Structural Issues

Any time there are structural issues, such as leaks in the basement or roof, a crumbling foundation, cracks in the walls, etc., it will bring your home’s price down. These fixes will cost some bucks because, odds are, you’re going to need a professional, but they are repairs that really need to be done anyway. The longer you wait, the worse they are going to get. The repairs help increase your home’s value and make it easier to live in while you’re waiting for a buyer.

Health Hazards

One of the areas that appraisers attack are health hazards, such as mold growth. Mold and other fungus are potentially hazardous to your health and the health of any potential buyer. Bleach will take care of most mold, but it’s important to identify the cause. It could be excess moisture in the basement or your children flooding the bathroom at bath time.

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The roof is one of the most important structures on a home, and when it springs a leak or other catastrophe, it has to be fixed as soon as possible. This can lead to hurriedly picking a roofer which might leave you penniless with shabby roof work. A quick check of your Yellow Pages or an internet search for your area discloses countless roofing companies all clamoring for your business. It can be overwhelming, but asking a few questions can keep you from making a big and expensive mistake.

1. Choose a Licensed Roofer

When talking to a roofer, the first question out of your mouth should be about licensing. You want someone that is qualified for the job. There may be handymen out there willing to do the job cheaper, but it won’t save you any money if you need to have it redone three months later. A license verifies that the company and its employees know what they are doing.

2. Ask About References

When you find out they’re licensed, ask for phone numbers of references. Any company worth their salt will ask satisfied customers to either provide a statement or allow to be contacted as a reference. Once you get the information, call them and find out exactly how they felt about the job and the cost.

3. Contact the Better Business Bureau

Your vetting continues. The Better Business Bureau will have information of complaints against the business. If the roofer has a few satisfied customers and a dozen unsatisfied customers, then move on. It may seem like overkill, but a bad roofer could damage the roof further or do shoddy work that doesn’t last.

4. Find Out About Insurance and Warranties

The roofing company should be insured in case something happens and they end up causing damage. This could be from falling equipment, employee negligence, etc., but you don’t want to be stuck paying the bill. You should also find out if they have any warranties for their work and how long the warranty lasts.

5. Get a Quote

By now, all the companies left on your list should be the best. Now, ask for quotes about the job. You can be confident that you can pick the lowest bid and not sacrifice service.

This process may take some time to complete and seem a little overwhelming at first, but choosing the right roofer can have a significant impact on your home. Remember, the roof is one of the most important structures of your home, and making sure that it’s taken care of properly is not something that should be done on a whim.

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Before I was married (so you know that had to be a while ago), I had the unfortunate task of putting tile in a bathroom. I didn’t have any reference and it turned out horrible. The whole thing had to be redone about two years later. I don’t want anyone to have to go through this, so I hope this little tutorial helps you.

1. Examine the current floor and develop a plan before actually doing anything else. You are going to have to remove the toilet and cut around any other permanent fixtures. If your floor is vinyl, then you won’t need to do anything to it before laying the tile. If your floor is wood, then you’ll need to place a backer on top of the floor prior to the tile.

2. Take out the toilet and baseboard, and then scrub the floor, eliminating dirt and grime that has accumulated on the vinyl. Use an abrasive pad and some vinyl floor stripper. Cut backer board to fit on top of the floor. The backer board makes sure the glue for the tile adheres properly. It’s not necessary with vinyl, but many people use it anyway just to make sure everything adheres well.

3. Don’t forget that you will need to cut around corners, the sink, etc. This can be difficult in a tight bathroom. Hold each piece of backer board to the floor using temporary screws. There is also an adhesive on the bottom of the board to help adhere to the surface of the floor.

4. Start laying the tile in centered rows, making sure to leave equal spaces on the sides. Don’t simply start in a corner and work out because often, the layer ends up needing different sized pieces at the ends. Starting at the center makes sure the cut end pieces are of equal size.

5. Once the full tiles are laid, wait several hours to make sure the full tiles are completely dry. Cut the pieces for any awkward areas and along the wall. Mix the grout and use a trowel to place them into the joints. Use a significant amount of force to make sure the grout gets into the joints. Scrape off any excess grout.

6. Cover the grout bucket to slow hardening. After a few hours, go back and make sure the tiles are secure. If not, go back and add more grout. Clean the tiles with warm water and a sponge to get any grout off the surface of the tile.

Let everything dry through the night and replace the toilet the next day. Also do any caulking around the bathtub as well and other areas as needed.

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The truth of the matter is that home improvement can be dangerous if you don’t practice some common sense and a little safety. Here are some of the most common ways do-it-yourselfers end up in the hospital.

1. I’m not going to get shocked: There are many home improvement tasks that involve electricity such as installing a light switch or you may be knocking down a wall, but there could be wiring in it.

The first and most important rule involving electricity is turn it off at the breaker. Don’t think you’re so good that there is no way you’re going to get shocked or that there isn’t enough juice to hurt you. Electricity can kill you even from a household outlet, so just avoid it entirely and turn it off.

2. It’s not that long of a drop: Many people like to do their own roof work or clean out their gutters. This requires using a ladder or standing on your roof. If you are using ladder, make sure either you or the ladder is secured to the home. Keep tools and other items from laying about on the roof to keep from tripping.

Bones will break easily on even a 10-foot drop, so make sure you take precautions. Too many people think that the drop isn’t that far or they will never fall, but every guy who fell off a roof and ended up in the ER thought the same thing.

3. I’ll never shoot myself with a nail gun: I hate these things. Sure, they can make a job a whole lot easier, but these things should be classified as a weapon. If they are used properly, then nail guns are perfectly safe. Keep the gun pointed away from you and keep hands and feet away from it at all times.

I don’t know how many of those reality ER shows I have seen where some do-it-yourselfer shot himself in the head with a nail gun. The doctor holds up an X-ray and we see a head with a nail stuck in the middle of his brain. I say just avoid it and use a hammer and nails, but if you decide to use a nail gun, please be very careful.

Image Credit: flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/5019211728/

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It’s that time of year again; Mother Nature just can’t seem to make up her mind. One day we are out wearing shorts playing in the park, then the next day a cold rain ruins playtime, the furnace comes back on and after that, snow.

This is an aspect of the weather I always take into account before I start taking on projects outside. It’s one thing to get the leaves out of the gutters and another to start re-shingling the roof before a week of rain, followed by a blizzard.

The easiest thing to do is check the local weather and find the seven-day forecast. Sure, the weathermen are only right about half the time, but that’s better than nothing. Rather than depend on the musings of the local meteorologist, it’s best to always prepare for the possibility that the weatherman doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

If you are working on the roof, or some other part of the house, it’s important to purchase as many tarps and weights to cover the area in case of rain. The tarps are inexpensive and if you have a few concrete blocks or bricks lying around, they are perfect for weighing down the tarp on the roof. There is little you can do if there are heavy winds, so just do your best and cover everything up.

There is a tendency for do-it-yourselfers to leave tools, paints, shingles, etc. outside at the end of the day rather than pick them up and put them away. It’s a sense of confidence and comfortableness that comes with working on your own home.

No one is going to steal anything from your backyard, so why bother putting it away when you will come back to it the next day? However, when it comes to unpredictable weather, its always a good idea to just put everything away. Some of your tools and supplies can get ruined in the rain and I know you don’t want to have to buy a new power drill.

When in doubt, before you go inside, just look up at the sky. If its blue skies and no clouds, then you might be able to take the chance. But if there is a hint of black clouds anywhere in sight, then pack it in.

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Yes, the porcelain throne can be costing you money every month, especially if it is constantly running. You know, jiggle the handle kind of running. Water may not cost you hundreds of dollars, but it isn’t free, either, and if you can save $10 a month, then that’s $10 worth of beef or an hour more with the kids instead of working.

The toilet is actually a pretty simple system. A plug at the bottom of the tank keeps the water from flowing into the toilet bowl, and the plug is connected to a chain. That chain is connected to the flush handle. When you do your business and flush the toilet, the plug is lifted and water goes down into the siphon jet and the bowl.

Once the water is out of the tank, the plug covers the hole and the water begins to fill the tank. Near the top of the tank is the ball float. When the float falls because of the water exiting the tank, the tank begins to fill with water. The float rises with the water and once it hit’s a certain level, the float signals the water shutoff.

That’s a long-winded approach to tell you something simple you can do to save a few dollars each month. If you think that your toilet uses too much water, then you can lower the amount of water that goes into the tank and thus the bowl.

Open the back of the tank and you will see the ball float, which is attached to a long metal arm. Grab the arm and bend it inward toward the bottom of the tank and flush the toilet. When the water refills the tank, it will only go as far as the ball float, which is now situated deeper in the bowl.

Congratulations, you just saved yourself a few bucks a month.

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I don’t mind answering questions and, in fact, I find it fun, but I can’t be everywhere at all times. There are many places where you can find advice on a variety of home and garden issues, but some you may have to take with a grain of salt.

Internet

Type your problem into Google and odds are that someone has written about it. It could be in general terms or it could be dead on, as in step-by-step specific. There are many reliable sites like Smarter, where the experts give out advice, oftentimes, from their own personal experiences. You do have to be careful, because not everyone is as knowledgeable as they’d like you to believe. Some are simply looking to lure you in with keywords. You have to decide if the advice given is reliable or just made up.

Home Improvement Stores and Green Houses

Many times, when you go to a large home improvement store looking for a part or just a place to start, you can ask many of the employees questions. Often they are knowledgeable about the area they work in, such as plumbing or paint, and give pretty sound advice. The only problem is, they can’t actually be at your house and see what’s going on. You can tell them that your toilet is spewing out filth, and they can give you a few ideas on what it might be, but ultimately, you’re going to have diagnose the problem yourself.

Friends

Your friends are the best assets you person can have for anything in life. You can invite a few over to take a look at your possessed toilet, and they can help to take it apart and figure out exactly where the demon is stuck. When it’s all over, you can have a laugh and knock back a few cold ones.

Experts

Master gardeners and certified fix-it-men are the most knowledgeable. Master gardeners are free, but they are few and far between. Carpenters and others fix-it men can cost a pretty penny just to come and look at your problem. They will know exactly how to fix it, and you’ll pay them for every second of it.

If you happen to see me walking down the street, then feel free to ask me a question, or check out one of these places and get your knowledge on.

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