Category: House and Home

Are you tired of overpaying for home repair projects?

If you have ever had a bad experience with a contractor or overspent on materials, then you know what we’re talking about.

Lucky for you, we’ve put together 5 ways you can save on your next home project. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Do Your Research

If you’re looking to save a few dollars on your next home repair project, you need to be sure you do your research.

Depending on the type of repair, you will have to search for a certified professional to do the job.

Make sure you don’t go into it blind. Research how much the repair typically costs, how long it takes to get it done, and if there are any permits you should acquire.

2. Get Multiple Estimates

The last thing you want to do is overpay a contractor. Ensure you get multiple estimates before you commit to one of them.

Don’t just look at the dollar sign when you see an estimate. Look at what they’re offering you and how long it will take to get the home repair done. Ask them if they have insurance and their licenses are up to date.

You also don’t want to pay for a contractor to give you an estimate. Southeastern Foundation & Crawlspace Repair offers you free estimates.

3. Read the Contract Carefully

Once you pick the right person for the job, make sure you get a contract stating all of the terms of the repair.

Make sure the contract states the job that will be done, all of the materials the contractor is expected to use, and the price breakdown.

The contract should also state the terms of what would happen if one of the parties defaults on the terms.

4. Consider DIY Repairs

Although you might not want to get your hands dirty, sometimes you need to do it yourself in order to save on repairs.

If the repair is simple enough and doesn’t require a licensed professional, it’s possible to do it yourself.

Buying the material at a home improvement store might also be more economical than going through a contractor.

5. Look Into Government Rebates & Tax Credits

If you didn’t save as much money as you would like on home repairs, not all is lost. You can still get a great deal on your home repairs if you seek government rebates.

The government gives tax breaks for qualifying home improvements that increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Some of the home improvements include:

• Insulation, doors windows, and roofs
• Water heater
• heater and air conditioning systems
• Solar energy

Keep in mind you might get more tax credits for some repairs over others.

Save on Your Next Home Repair Project

It’s possible to find the best deal on your home repairs if you do your research, try some DIY, and you get some tax credits.

If you enjoyed these tips, we have more where these came from. To read about 10 Affordable Remodeling Ideas for Your Home, click here.

We all get Pinterest envy from time to time. You scroll through picture after picture of beautifully decorated and furnished rooms. It doesn’t take long before you start wondering how to make your own home look Pinterest-perfect.

But then you start shopping and you realize how expensive it all is. Fortunately, taking on some DIY projects for the home can give you the style you want, 100% customized, for much less.

One area in which DIY can be especially beneficial is in furniture. Woodworking projects can give you customized, stylish, and often sturdier furniture for less. As an added bonus, home woodworking is a more eco-friendly living choice.

If you’re on the hunt for some ideas, check out these options:

Beginner Woodworking Projects for the Home

For the homeowner who wants to make DIY furniture but hasn’t reached the status of woodworking master, here are a few projects to get you started:

Standing Bookshelf

A bookshelf is a great starter woodworking project. It’s rather simple, but it teaches you a lot about stability, angles, and basic skills.

If you’re living in a home that lacks storage and/or abundant space, a bookshelf is also a very usable project. You can design it to fit into even the smallest or most awkwardly-sized spaces. And if you need storage for items that aren’t books, simple baskets fit the look perfectly.

A word to the wise: think about the flooring when you’re designing your bookshelf. If the shelf will be on a high-pile carpet or rug, it will need extra stability compared to a hard floor.

Want to step up the difficulty? If you have small pets, install a cushion on top of the shelf to give them a cozy new bed.

Medicine Cabinet

Really any wall-mounted cabinet will be made similarly, but a small one like a medicine cabinet is an easier place for beginners to start.

In fact, a cabinet is a great next step after your bookshelf. You’re essentially just building a bookshelf and adding doors.

Here’s a pro tip: before you start, measure some of the items you want to store in the cabinet. Many store-bought medicine cabinets don’t quite fit items like contact solution and other large bottles. But when you’re making your own cabinet, you can specifically plan it all your favorites.

As with all woodworking projects, you can choose how complex you want your cabinet to be, from a minimalistic design to a more ornate DIY medicine cabinet.

Shadow Box

If you’re not familiar, shadow boxes are glass-fronted wooden boxes designed to display memorabilia. They can be wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop. They’re fantastic projects for parents who want to display their kids’ awards.

A shadow box is a great project because you can customize it to fit the specific items you want to include. It’s also a fantastic way to learn how to use glass in your woodworking projects.

Bench

A bench might be the most stereotypical beginner woodworking project, but hear me out.

Like bookshelves, it can be a real challenge to find a bench that fits your unique space. They’re also great pieces of multitasking furniture because you can include storage to them as well.

It’s important to make your bench with your specific location in mind. Outdoor benches and indoor benches have very different considerations, like weather protection.

And of course, benches can be as simple or as challenging as you want them to be. Whether you’re a beginner or an old pro, you can find a bench-making design to fit your skill level and your style.

Storage Box

Boxes and storage containers are some of the most multifunctional items you can buy (or in this case, make) for your home. They can turn even the most basic shelf into an organized masterpiece.

Small storage boxes are also wonderful gift add-ons. If you’re giving someone jewelry another small yet treasurable item, forget the cardboard box and make your own personal gift box.

Depending on the design you use, boxes are great woodworking projects for learning corner joints and varying styles of lids.

Mudroom Organization

Without a doubt, one of the hardest rooms to keep organized in any house is the mudroom or entryway. That goes double for homes with kids.

Store-bought mudroom furniture can be very expensive, especially if you want a fixture that maximizes space with shelving across most of the wall. DIY mudroom furniture, on the other hand, gives you cost-effective customizability.

When you’re custom-building furniture for this type of space, it’s all about what complexity you want. For a genuine beginner’s project, a simple mounted board with hooks for coats and book bags can go a long way.

But if you want a more comprehensively organized area, a full wall unit can provide space for shoes, coats, book bags, hats, and much more. You can even give each family member their own cubby to make for quicker, less chaotic mornings.

Lawn Furniture

One of the most popular trends in home design today is using your outdoor space. Homeowners are decorating, furnishing, and designing their outdoor areas to make them so functional that they’re just another room of the house.

A key to having usable outdoor space is having comfortable furniture. But have you looked at prices for outdoor furniture lately? Manufacturers know this is a higher priority for homeowners, and they’re taking full advantage with hefty price tags.

Fortunately, outdoor furniture items make for great woodworking projects. Adirondack chairs are particularly popular today, with no cushions needed. You can even create an entire “room” of furniture in this same style.

Basic Tips for Beginner Woodworkers

Woodworking is an entire skill set to learn, and it takes time, but here are some tips for your first projects:

Have the Right Equipment from the Start

Woodworking has the potential to be dangerous, messy, and difficult if you don’t have the right equipment. Before your first project, buy or borrow all the essentials you need like safety goggles, dropcloth and dust collector bags.

Read All Instructions Before You Start

In some woodworking projects, you need precise timing between one step and another. Before you start, read all the instructions and practice some of the new skills you may need.

It’s also a good idea to buy all the supplies you need for the full project before you begin. In some cases, substituting one piece or fixture for another can change the process, and you want to know this from the start.

Read Up on Safety Protocol

You say it to your kids all the time: safety first! Research how to stay safe before you hammer in your first nail.

Find a Project and Start Saving

Woodworking projects are just one way to save money on your home. For more, check out my frugal living tips for moms.

Are you looking for an affordable air purifier?

An air purifier has become necessary in many households. Americans spend around 90 percent of the time inside, including at home.

Every day, you’re exposed to air pollutants that can impact your health. An air purifier has been proven to help people breathe easier and have a higher quality of life.

Read on to learn why you need this device and how to chose one.

Why Air Purifiers Are a Must-Have

There are several reasons why you want to have an air purifier at home.

First of all, it can help reduce pet dander in the air. Pet dander happens no matter how often you groom your pet because it’s made from skin particles that get in the air.

If you or anyone in the home has allergies or asthma, pet dander can aggravate their symptoms. That can make it hard to breathe in the house.

An air purifier equipped with a filter made for pet dander can trap those skin particles, making it easier for you to enjoy your home.

Clean air is also important for the most vulnerable: kids and the elderly.

Buying an affordable air purifier can minimize the exposure to air pollutants and flu-causing germs. Cold and flu symptoms can turn into bigger health issues for the elderly and kids because they have weaker immune systems.

You’ll want to make sure that the filter you use can kill flu bacteria in the air.

Did you know that there’s a correlation between air pollution and school grades? Even a moderate exposure to air pollutants can lower school grades.

Since kids spend more time indoors more than they ever have, an air purifier can reduce the air pollutants they’re exposed to.

If you want to know more, check out A Fresher Home. It’s a good place to find out more about air purifiers and how they impact your health.

Affordable Air Purifiers for Your Home

Now that you know why you need an affordable purifier, this list shows you what the top 10 purifiers you need to consider before buying.

1. Holmes Tower Room HEPA Air Purifier

You can get a quality tower air purifier for only $75. This model from Holmes has three speeds, so it can handle most air pollutants.

It also comes with an optional ionizer, which keeps your air fresh and clean. This model works well against smoke too.

2. Hamiton Beach TruAir Room HEPA Air Purifier

This is a great option for rooms up to 160 square feet, such as bedrooms and home offices. Since it’s compact and portable, you can take it from room to room.

It also features a permanent filter that you can wash and reuse. That makes this model very affordable since you don’t have the added costs to replace the filter.

3. Home Labs 3 in 1 Ionic Air Purifiers

Ionic purifiers work differently than standard purifiers. Instead of sucking air in and trapping particles in a filter, they use a negative charge to neutralize the air.

This model is good for personal spaces as it only works in 20 square feet.

4. Germ Guardian AC4100

Germ Guardian is a well-known brand, and this model has an excellent reputation. The AC 4100 is an affordable air purifier that offers a HEPA and charcoal system to clean the air.

It also has a UV light to kill bacteria.

5. Holmes Desktop Air Purifier

Holmes makes this list again with its desktop air purifier. With a purifier that can easily fit on a desk or table, you can have clean air wherever you are in the house.

This device makes it easier to get rid of smoke, odors, pet dander, mold spores, and more.

6. Envion Therapure Room HEPA Purifier

Envion’s Therapure purifier retails for $150, making it one of the more pricey models on this list.

However, it’s worth the cost. This model can work in medium to large sized rooms, making this a good choice for families.

It’s rated well for pollen, dust, and smoke removal.

7. HomeImage Room True HEPA Air Purifier

Do you need to cover a large space with your air purifier? The Room True HEPA purifier from HomeImage has you covered.

It can handle rooms as big as 200 square feet, which is another great option for families. This model comes with a remote control and is programmable, so the air is clean before you enter the room.

8. Levoit LV-H132

The Levoit LV-H132 is only good for only 89 square feet, but it’s very silent. The quiet motor and its price point are the reasons why this is on the list.

This air purifier also has a modern design, which makes it a great fit for most office spaces.

9. Germ Guardian AC 4825

Germ Guardian is on this list for another model – the AC 4825. While the 4100 is a small model that’s good for small spaces, the AC 4825 can clean the air in rooms up to 155 square feet.

The HEPA filter traps pollutants such as smoke, dust, mold, pet dander, and odors. This device is also equipped with UV light, which can kill bacteria to protect you from cold and flu viruses.

10. Gideon Electronic Plug-in

The last affordable air purifier on this list is the most portable. It’s good for small spaces, so you’ll want to consider this for bathrooms and pet areas.

This model uses only eight watts of energy and is hardly noticeable because it’s so quiet.

Ready to Buy an Affordable Air Purifier?

A home air purifier can have a great impact on your home and your health. It can remove impurities, smoke, and pet dander.

It can also improve the quality of life for you, your kids, and the elderly. With the right filter, air purifiers can help you breathe easier.

Are you ready to breathe in fresh air?

To make your purchase even more affordable, check out our site for giveaways, coupons, and hot deals!

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, the smartest way to find the best choice for your kitchen is to merge form with function. If you don’t like the way they look, you’ll be less likely to appreciate and use your kitchen properly.

Yet, if the cabinets can’t function like you need them to, you’ll run into the same problem. But since kitchen cabinets make up about half of the entire budget for your kitchen, you need to create a system to find affordable ones.

Which is why we’ve developed this guide to help you buy affordable kitchen cabinets. Keep reading to learn more.

Determine Your Kitchen Needs

Everyone uses their kitchen in a different way. Some people think of themselves as amateur chefs and utilize every single inch of their kitchen.

Others are on a first name basis with the staff at their local restaurants. They barely even notice they have a kitchen. Most of us are somewhere in between.

Figure out how often you use your kitchen. Then determine how you use your kitchen. Take a week to use your kitchen normally and take notes.

Notice what you don’t like about your current kitchen. Write down what you feel it’s lacking. Next, write down exactly what you love about your kitchen.

This will help you find affordable kitchen cabinets that will ensure you have the exact amount of space you need.

Don’t forget to consider how much storage space you’ll need. For a person living alone who tends to order out delivery, there’s usually not much of a need for storage space.

For a family of five with three active teenagers, their needs for storage will be much greater. Find kitchen cabinets that make the most out of the space you have.

Pick a Style You Like

While function is hugely important, style is too. No one likes walking into a kitchen to see ugly kitchen cabinets staring back at them. If you’re going to invest in affordable kitchen cabinets, you might as well like what you bought.

However, when it comes to affordable kitchen cabinets, you might not always get to merge form with function perfectly. Choose which one is most important to you if your budget won’t allow for both.

If aesthetics are more important, choose the style. If the function is, choose form. If you do choose a style, here are a few choices.

Eco-Friendly

Many people are becoming aware that wood is a natural resource that isn’t easy to replace. They’re also concerned with their health and the safety of their families.

There are many options today for affordable kitchen cabinets to be made using eco-friendly materials. From glass to bronze and wood like bamboo, the choices are seemingly endless.

You can also rest easy knowing that your cabinets are free from toxic chemicals like VOC’s and formaldehyde. Ask a kitchen cabinet expert like those found at RTA Depot to help you find the best eco-friendly choices for your home.

Choose a Wood

When you choose a wood, you’re really choosing form and function once again. Not all wood is the same. Some of it is cheaper and prone to swelling if you live in a particularly humid area. Some of it comes from a more durable wood which will last longer.

Choosing the right one depends on your needs, timeline, and of course, your budget.

Most cabinets are from a hardwood tree. Oak, maple, cherry, and birch are all popular choices. Keep in mind that today, to keep costs lower, most affordable kitchen cabinets are plywood that has a hardwood veneer.

Choose a Finish for Your Wood

Of course, the next step is to choose the best type of finish for your wood. You can choose the exact grain, color, and construction of your affordable kitchen cabinets.

Veneers will give you a better grain-matching wood quality than solid wood cabinets. As for color, you don’t have to go with the wood’s natural color. A good stain can give you the color of maple on a birch base.

Select a Budget

Choosing a budget is a very important element of selecting the best and most affordable kitchen cabinets. Create a budget so that you can find the best options at your price point.

Cabinets fall into three categories. There are stock cabinets which start at a $70 per linear foot price point. A typical kitchen has 25-30 linear feet of cabinets. There are fewer styles and sizes available at this price point.

Semi-custom cabinets range from $150-$250 per linear foot. They fit your kitchen more precisely because they come in more configurations.

Meanwhile, custom cabinets will cost $500 or more per linear foot. That’s because they’re crafted to your exact specs. They also usually include many personalized features.

A Few Ways to Save Even More on Your Affordable Kitchen Cabinets

If your budget is too low to even consider investing in stock cabinets, have no fear. There are still some options to choose from.

You can reface your kitchen cabinets. Refacing means re-skinning them with new wood or a laminate veneer and replacing their doors. This option is less expensive and will take less time than replacing the existing cabinets.

You can also opt for replacing your doors and hinges. That will create a new look and style to the existing cabinets. It can be done at a fraction of the cost that replacing them entirely will.

Lastly, you can just replace your knobs and pulls with new ones. These are all great options especially if you’re just tired of looking at the same cabinets but there’s nothing technically wrong with them.

Look Where You Can Save Money

It’s important that you’re happy with the end result of your kitchen cabinets. But they shouldn’t break your bank.

Don’t be afraid to ask which materials are the most affordable. Ask how you can save as much money as possible.

Lastly, visit other sources to learn as much as you can about kitchen cabinets. We love sharing tips on how to get more with less money. After your kitchen renovation, come back to visit us for some tasty recipes.

What if you could make one of the worst parts of home ownership so much easier?

Driveway resurfacing is a task that no homeowner looks forward to. It takes a lot of time and it eats into your hard-earned money.

Fortunately, there are a few easy tips you can follow in order to save money on any resurfacing that you do.

Driveway Resurfacing or Driveway Repair?

Before you get started, you should determine if you really need to resurface the driveway. It’s possible that the damage is minor enough that you only have to repair the driveway instead.

Inspect any and all cracks you see in the driveway. If they are less than a quarter of an inch wide, they can simply be sealed instead of resurfaced.

You can repair such cracks very easily by using liquid crack refiller. If those cracks are larger than a quarter of an inch wide, you must resurface instead.

Keep reading to discover ten ways to save money on resurfacing your driveway!

1. Buy a Kit

Special kits are available for anyone who wishes to resurface their own driveway. These kits are typically available at your average home improvement stores.

The main downside to doing this all on your own is that it takes a lot of time and effort. However, it also saves a lot of money that would otherwise go towards paying a professional.

You can find much of the equipment you will need to buy on Pavement Planet.

2. Everybody Chips In

Part of what makes driveway resurfacing so expensive is the cost of buying the individual materials you need. You can potentially save money on these materials by buying them in bulk.

Begin by asking around in your neighborhood and in your family to see who else might want to resurface their driveway. This lets all of you put in a single bid to a single contractor.

This saves the contractor money in terms of storing and transporting all of the necessary materials. Contractors are often willing to pass some of those savings on to you, reducing the overall cost of your resurfacing.

3. The Power of Concrete

One stealthy way of resurfacing is to camouflage the driveway damage. You can do this by first creating a grid pattern on your driveway by using chalk.

Next, you use a power saw to cut along these lines. You should definitely hire a professional to do this if you’ve never used a power saw before.

The final result is a driveway that looks very modern and stylized. And any cracks that you had in it have now been effectively masked b the design.

4. Creative Materials

Most people use asphalt or concrete in order to resurface their driveway. It is possible to use gravel in order to save money.

You can also use a combination of rocks and tar to resurface your driveway for a fraction of the cost of traditional asphalt. You may also consider using bricks and concrete that have been recycled from previous projects.

Ultimately, using less traditional maters can be a key to major savings.

5. Get Free Estimates

Most people hire a professional for driveway resurfacing. The amount that these professionals typically charge is what makes resurfacing so expensive.

Contact multiple professionals in your area before committing to one of them. Have as many of them as possible come out, inspect the driveway, and then offer a free estimate for how much it will cost to resurface.

This simple act can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars off of the job by allowing you to find the cheapest rates in town.

6. Asphalt Repair

One interesting alternative to the traditional resurface or repair options is to hire professionals to repair the asphalt. They have special equipment that makes such a repair quick and easy.

This technique usually involves working on the driveway in patches. This means you could have them focus only on certain areas instead of doing the entire driveway.

This option represents a great compromise between trying to repair everything yourself or having a professional resurface all of it. Ultimately, it can save you a lot of money.

7. Check Property Lines

Some basic advice that many people forget about is to doublecheck where your property lines begin and where they end. Otherwise, it is possible to accidentally resurface onto property that belongs to your neighbor.

Damaging your neighbor’s property could lead to costly legal action. This dramatically adds to the cost of the project. However, doublechecking property lines cost nothing and can save money!

8. Negotiate Your Needs

Part of the cost of a professional job comes from all of the things they do as part of a standard job. You may not need every one of these “standard” services, though.

Try to negotiate your specific needs with any professional that you hire. If you need fewer services than they typically offer, it may mean you can get a discount on the job.

9. Do It Sooner Rather Than Later

Whether you repair or resurface, it’s always better to fix things sooner rather than later. This allows you to fix cracks before they expand or to simply reduce the cost of a complex resurfacing job.

Keeping the driveway looking good also enhances the value of your home. This gives you the flexibility to more easily sell your home if you want to.

If you suspect you may need the drive repaired or resurfaced, you should call a professional for a free consultation immediately.

10. Phone a Friend

Many people opt to repair or resurface their driveway themselves to save money. The only real downside to this is how much time it takes to do this on your own.

You can cut this time in half by getting a friend to help you out. This is especially advisable if the friend has a lot of experience using the complex tools involved in resurfacing.

The Bottom Line

Everybody wants to save money. After all, driveway resurfacing isn’t the only thing that often costs way too much!

To find more info about how to save money in your house and around town, come check out our coupons today. All of these little savings add up and put hard-earned money directly back in your pocket!