stlouismoguttercleaning

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Do Not Forget About Gutter Cleaning

When making a home maintenance checklist, one need to always include gutter cleaning, specially the gutters that are outside your home.

Unclean gutters can quickly cease to be functional given that they have a tendency to obtain clogged with twigs and different other kinds of debris. However, many individuals typically overlook this because cleaning it out needs a lot of time and energy. Similarly, considering that it is on the roofing of your house the unwillingness of a person to clean it out is twice as much.

Are You Keeping Away from Gutter Cleaning?

Among the main reasons you should not ignore or evade gutter cleaning is because many types of roofing damage can quickly be connected to obstructed, filthy gutters. Clogged seamless gutters trigger roofing damage by triggering water seepage, moldy and decomposing roofs and other smells. On the other hand, all the leaves and branches in the gutter may increase the odds of accidental roofing fires occurring also.

Nevertheless, in wet conditions, the leaves, branches and other debris makes rotting mulch which always tends to draw in and host an entire nest of wood consuming insects such as carpenter ants or termites so you have a good chance of getting an invasion. That is why looking after your roofing by clearing out your gutter ensures that you end with a healthy, delighted roofing. If you’re being curious ways to go about the task, here are some tips to get you started:

Gutter Cleaning – Do It Yourself

If you’re deciding to clean your gutter by yourself, you will have to have some items for the task before you begin cleaning. The materials you need to clean out the gutter consist of:

Ladder

A hose pipe with a high pressure nozzle.

Gloves – Rubber.

Gutter Scoop.

Garbage bags.

Pails – 2- 3 Gallons with handles.

Although you may need to make a fast visit to the store for some items, you might find that you already have the majority of them in the house. To begin cleaning, put your ladder at a point where it is convenient for you to stat digging the collected particles utilizing the gutter scoop. Put your buckets within arms reach or hang them from their deals with near you. Put all the debris from the gutter into your container. Stop work and empty the pail inside the trash bag as soon as you fill it up. Use the hose pipe to get rid of any debris that is staying behind or that you couldn’t scoop up easily.

Employing the Experts

Oftentimes, owing to physical constraints or the correct know how, lots of people are incapable to carry out gutter cleaning on their own. Likewise, gutter cleaning is a time consuming task. Owing to increasingly tight schedules, lots of people might not have the time to perform gutter cleaning by themselves.

However, even if you don’t want to clean your gutter because it is particularly dirty or that you feel that you are inadequate in method in cleaning it, you can easily call a trustworthy gutter cleaning business and avail their services. Click here to get the best gutter cleaning service in your area.

To try to find gutter cleaning companies, you can even look up and search different reliable companies in the gutter cleaning market. They are also able to assist with other conditions that related to this element of your home. Coming properly geared up with the right tools for gutter cleaning as well as have all the proper know how about ways to handle various conditions that can emerge owing to clogged up gutters.

Hiring A Gutter Cleaning Service

If you own a home, you most likely do not even consider your seamless gutters, unless something bad happens. If your gutters quit working and rain water begins running over the sides of your house in sheets or the gutters begin to yank away from the roofing system making an eyesore, then all of the sudden your gutters are a big deal. The truth is that you need to clean your gutters twice a year, even if there are not noticeable issues. Keeping your rain gutters clear will ensure the long life of your house’s foundation and your gutter system. However when it comes time to clean them, should you do this yourself or employ a professional gutter service?

There are 2 factors that you might prefer to clean your very own rain gutters. The first is the fact that doing the job yourself conserves money. As long as you have a big adequate ladder, you can clean your rain gutters for less than twenty dollars. You just need common household items and an economical gutter scoop. Professional gutter cleaning services can charge anywhere from seventy 5 to five hundred dollars. The important things that impact that rate include the square footage of your home, how many stories your house is, and how blocked the gutters are. Bear in mind that you generally get what you pay for. Therefore, the more economical gutter cleaning services might not do a great task compared to exactly what you could do yourself for less than a 3rd of the cost. The 2nd reason you might choose to clean your own rain gutters is something less tangible. Looking after your home and finishing a big and essential chore like this will give you a sense of achievement that will not exist if you pay somebody else to do the work.

There are likewise 2 factors you must employ someone to do this task rather than doing it yourself. First, gutter care can be a harmful proposition. There are safety concerns with getting up on a ladder as well as possible health issues over coming in contact with specific molds and bacteria. If you are mishap susceptible or have major mold allergic reactions, then employing an expert is most likely a good idea. Second, there are specific added benefits you get from a service like gutter maintenance and upkeep. Service technicians will make sure your seamless gutters are leveled correctly to motivate the proper circulation of water to your downspouts. In addition, they will make sure that the hangers that attach your gutters to your roof remain in great repair and put any hat need it. These services are generally included in the cost so you need to weigh that in your decision.

Because you’ve invested a great deal of cash in your house, it is necessary to take care of it as best as you can. Among the things that you’re going to want to hang around and effort on is cleaning the exterior of your home. This is the first thing that individuals see when they arrive at your home, so making the effort to guarantee that the exterior of your home is tidy will allow you to make a good impression on guests. You can make sure that your house is both gorgeous and well secured by making sure that your gutters are tidy and functioning appropriately.

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[stlouismoguttercleaning]

Do Not Forget About Gutter Cleaning

When making a home maintenance checklist, one need to always include gutter cleaning, specially the gutters that are outside your home.

Unclean gutters can quickly cease to be functional given that they have a tendency to obtain clogged with twigs and different other kinds of debris. However, many individuals typically overlook this because cleaning it out needs a lot of time and energy. Similarly, considering that it is on the roofing of your house the unwillingness of a person to clean it out is twice as much.

Are You Keeping Away from Gutter Cleaning?

Among the main reasons you should not ignore or evade gutter cleaning is because many types of roofing damage can quickly be connected to obstructed, filthy gutters. Clogged seamless gutters trigger roofing damage by triggering water seepage, moldy and decomposing roofs and other smells. On the other hand, all the leaves and branches in the gutter may increase the odds of accidental roofing fires occurring also.

Nevertheless, in wet conditions, the leaves, branches and other debris makes rotting mulch which always tends to draw in and host an entire nest of wood consuming insects such as carpenter ants or termites so you have a good chance of getting an invasion. That is why looking after your roofing by clearing out your gutter ensures that you end with a healthy, delighted roofing. If you’re being curious ways to go about the task, here are some tips to get you started:

Gutter Cleaning – Do It Yourself

If you’re deciding to clean your gutter by yourself, you will have to have some items for the task before you begin cleaning. The materials you need to clean out the gutter consist of:

Ladder

A hose pipe with a high pressure nozzle.

Gloves – Rubber.

Gutter Scoop.

Garbage bags.

Pails – 2- 3 Gallons with handles.

Although you may need to make a fast visit to the store for some items, you might find that you already have the majority of them in the house. To begin cleaning, put your ladder at a point where it is convenient for you to stat digging the collected particles utilizing the gutter scoop. Put your buckets within arms reach or hang them from their deals with near you. Put all the debris from the gutter into your container. Stop work and empty the pail inside the trash bag as soon as you fill it up. Use the hose pipe to get rid of any debris that is staying behind or that you couldn’t scoop up easily.

Employing the Experts

Oftentimes, owing to physical constraints or the correct know how, lots of people are incapable to carry out gutter cleaning on their own. Likewise, gutter cleaning is a time consuming task. Owing to increasingly tight schedules, lots of people might not have the time to perform gutter cleaning by themselves.

However, even if you don’t want to clean your gutter because it is particularly dirty or that you feel that you are inadequate in method in cleaning it, you can easily call a trustworthy gutter cleaning business and avail their services. Click here to get the best gutter cleaning service in your area.

To try to find gutter cleaning companies, you can even look up and search different reliable companies in the gutter cleaning market. They are also able to assist with other conditions that related to this element of your home. Coming properly geared up with the right tools for gutter cleaning as well as have all the proper know how about ways to handle various conditions that can emerge owing to clogged up gutters.

Hiring A Gutter Cleaning Service

If you own a home, you most likely do not even consider your seamless gutters, unless something bad happens. If your gutters quit working and rain water begins running over the sides of your house in sheets or the gutters begin to yank away from the roofing system making an eyesore, then all of the sudden your gutters are a big deal. The truth is that you need to clean your gutters twice a year, even if there are not noticeable issues. Keeping your rain gutters clear will ensure the long life of your house’s foundation and your gutter system. However when it comes time to clean them, should you do this yourself or employ a professional gutter service?

There are 2 factors that you might prefer to clean your very own rain gutters. The first is the fact that doing the job yourself conserves money. As long as you have a big adequate ladder, you can clean your rain gutters for less than twenty dollars. You just need common household items and an economical gutter scoop. Professional gutter cleaning services can charge anywhere from seventy 5 to five hundred dollars. The important things that impact that rate include the square footage of your home, how many stories your house is, and how blocked the gutters are. Bear in mind that you generally get what you pay for. Therefore, the more economical gutter cleaning services might not do a great task compared to exactly what you could do yourself for less than a 3rd of the cost. The 2nd reason you might choose to clean your own rain gutters is something less tangible. Looking after your home and finishing a big and essential chore like this will give you a sense of achievement that will not exist if you pay somebody else to do the work.

There are likewise 2 factors you must employ someone to do this task rather than doing it yourself. First, gutter care can be a harmful proposition. There are safety concerns with getting up on a ladder as well as possible health issues over coming in contact with specific molds and bacteria. If you are mishap susceptible or have major mold allergic reactions, then employing an expert is most likely a good idea. Second, there are specific added benefits you get from a service like gutter maintenance and upkeep. Service technicians will make sure your seamless gutters are leveled correctly to motivate the proper circulation of water to your downspouts. In addition, they will make sure that the hangers that attach your gutters to your roof remain in great repair and put any hat need it. These services are generally included in the cost so you need to weigh that in your decision.

Because you’ve invested a great deal of cash in your house, it is necessary to take care of it as best as you can. Among the things that you’re going to want to hang around and effort on is cleaning the exterior of your home. This is the first thing that individuals see when they arrive at your home, so making the effort to guarantee that the exterior of your home is tidy will allow you to make a good impression on guests. You can make sure that your house is both gorgeous and well secured by making sure that your gutters are tidy and functioning appropriately.

[stlouismoguttercleaning]

Do Not Forget About Gutter Cleaning

When making a home maintenance checklist, one must always include gutter cleaning, specifically the rain gutters that are outside the house.

Unclean gutters can quickly stop to be working since they tend to obtain obstructed with branches and numerous other types of debris. Lots of people frequently neglect this considering that cleaning it out needs a lot of time and energy. Because it is on the roofing of the house the hesitation of an individual to clean it out is two times as much.

Are You Keeping Away from Gutter Cleaning?

One of the primary reasons you shouldn't overlook or stay clear of gutter cleaning is since a lot of kinds of roofing system damage can quickly be linked to clogged, dirty gutters. Clogged up rain gutters cause roofing damage by triggering water infiltration, musty and rotting roofs and other smells. On the other hand, all the leaves and twigs in the gutter may increase the likelihoods of unintentional roof fires occurring.

In wet conditions, the leaves, branches and other debris makes decaying mulch which always tends to draw in and host a whole nest of wood eating pests such as carpenter ants or termites so you have a good chance of getting an infestation. That is why looking after your roofing by cleaning out your gutter guarantees that you end with a healthy, pleased roofing. If you're questioning how to go about the task, here are some suggestions in order to get you started:

Gutter Cleaning - Do It Yourself

If you're opting to clean your gutter by yourself, you will have to have some tools for the job prior to you start cleaning. The products you need to clear out the gutter include:

Ladder

A hose with a high pressure nozzle.

Gloves - Rubber.

Gutter Scoop.

Trash bags.

Buckets - 2- 3 Gallons with handles.

Although you might have to make a fast trip to the store for some products, you may find that you already have the majority of them at home. To start cleaning, position your ladder at a point where it is comfortable for you to stat scooping out the gathered particles utilizing the gutter scoop. Place your buckets within arms reach or hang them from their handles near you. Put all the debris from the gutter into your pail. Stop work and empty the pail inside the garbage bag as soon as you fill it up. Use the hose pipe to wash away any particles that is staying behind or that you couldn't scoop up easily.

Calling In the Experts

Many times, owing to physical restrictions or the correct know how, lots of people are incapable to perform gutter cleaning on their own. Similarly, gutter cleaning is a time consuming job. Owing to significantly tight schedules, many people might not have the time to carry out gutter cleaning by themselves.

However, even if you don't wish to clean your gutter because it is especially filthy or that you feel that you are lacking in strategy in cleaning it, you can easily call a reputable gutter cleaning business and avail their services. Click here to get the best gutter cleaning service in your area.

To search for gutter cleaning companies, you can even look up and search different trustworthy companies in the gutter cleaning industry. They are also able to help with other conditions that related to this aspect of your house. Coming appropriately geared up with the appropriate tools for gutter cleaning as well as have all the appropriate understand how about how to handle different conditions that can occur owing to clogged up rain gutters.

Hiring A Gutter Cleaning Service

If you own a house, you most likely do not even think of your seamless gutters, unless something fails. If your gutters stop working and water starts running over the sides of your house in sheets or the gutters begin to yank away from the roof making an eyesore, then all of the sudden your gutters are a big deal. The fact is that you must clean your gutters two times a year, even if there are not obvious issues. Keeping your gutters clear will guarantee the long life of your home's structure and your gutter system. But when it comes time to clean them, should you do this yourself or employ a professional gutter service?

There are two reasons that you may prefer to clean your own rain gutters. The very first is the fact that doing the job yourself saves money. As long as you have a big adequate ladder, you can clean your seamless gutters for less than twenty dollars. You only require common home items and an inexpensive gutter scoop. Professional gutter cleaning services can charge anywhere from seventy five to five hundred dollars. The important things that affect that cost include the square footage of your house, the number of stories your home is, and how clogged the gutters are. Remember that you usually get what you spend for. Therefore, the more economical gutter cleaning company might not do a very good task compared with exactly what you might do yourself for less than a third of the price. The second factor you may choose to clean your very own seamless gutters is something less tangible. Looking after your house and completing a big and crucial task like this will provide you a sense of achievement that will not be there if you pay another person to do the work.

There are likewise two factors you should work with someone to do this chore instead of doing it yourself. Initially, gutter care can be a dangerous proposal. There are security concerns with getting up on a ladder in addition to possible health issues over coming in contact with certain molds and bacteria. If you are mishap prone or have serious mold allergies, then hiring an expert is probably a great idea. Second, there are specific added benefits you obtain from a service like gutter maintenance and upkeep. Specialists will make certain your rain gutters are leveled appropriately to encourage the correct circulation of water to your downspouts. In addition, they will ensure that the wall mounts that connect your gutters to your roofing system remain in good repair and place any hat need it. These services are typically consisted of in the price so you need to weigh that in your choice.

Since you have actually invested a lot of money in your home, it is very important to take care of it as best as you can. Among the things that you're going to wish to spend time and effort on is cleaning the exterior of your home. This is the first thing that individuals see when they come to your house, so making the effort to ensure that the exterior of your home is clean will permit you to make a good impression on visitors. You can make sure that your home is both gorgeous and well safeguarded by ensuring that your gutters are tidy and working appropriately.

[stlouismoguttercleaning]

Different Types Of Guttering For Your Home Houses and structures do far more than housing homeowners and workers within. Their primary use is to keep out the elements. Rain, sun, sand and wind: all these components have actually to be kept out if a secure environment is to be created within a home or any other structure. The rain seamless gutters are a fundamental part of the design of any home. Although they aren't provided much attention, gutter play an essential function in the safety of a house. The function of a rain gutter is to make sure that the water and snow is collected and directed to where it cannot pose a risk to the structure or the walls of your home. Although the results of water on the structure might not be instant, with time, it can amount to trigger a lot of damage. There are various kinds of rain gutters available in the market. The choice of one type needs to be administered with care and caution to accomplish the best of long term effects. The most typical kinds of gutters in usage are Aluminum, Vinyl and copper rainwater gutters. Aluminum seamless gutters were when the most preferred amongst all these three types. They are lighter and cause much less stress on the wood it is connected to. Although they were very resistant towards most adverse weather, they were quickly harmed by force. Vinyl gutters are probably the most popular type of rainwater rain gutter amongst home owners. They are cheap durable and need little maintenance. Although they may seem like a strong financial investment, cold weather has the capability to cause irreparable damage over an extended period of time. The next kind of seamless gutters is the copper rainwater rain gutters they are the most well known types amongst property owner who are worried about getting use out of gutter for a very long time. Copper rainwater seamless gutters are rather expensive in comparison to the other 2 types are strong and seldom need changing. If a property owner has the ability to invest a little bit more in the getting and installment of copper rainwater gutters they will show to be a sound investment that will last a lifetime. Copper rainwater seamless gutters barely require any maintenance. They are resistant to rust, cold and heat and they will never ever need a coat of paint. The most prominent benefit of copper rainwater gutters is the fact that they will never ever leakage. Since they are soldered at the joints, leakages with copper rainwater seamless gutters are almost unheard of. When it comes to upkeep, copper rainwater seamless gutters do have a tendency to tarnish over time. If a greenish tint is undesirable with the resident, all these copper rainwater seamless gutters will need are a periodic coat of clear sealant to look their best for a lifetime. The idea of galvanized seamless gutters is certainly an exceptional one. Among the main concerns that people deal with is that their seamless gutters end up breaking and breaking down. Needless to say, this can trigger rather a degree of damage to the entire drain system not to mention numerous security issues also. This is specifically while galvanized seamless gutters so popular in this day and age. When it concerns different states that does have very awry weather condition, then you need to bear in mind that galvanized rain gutters is definitely the way to go. Having stated that there are numerous brands out there, you actually are not too sure about what to pick. In addition to this, you should also be worried about the aspect of security when it pertains to nature. While galvanized gutters would certainly safeguard your drain system, you have to see whether the metals that are utilized for galvanizing can impact your natural surroundings. There have been cases where excessive metals have discovered their way into the water system of a town and have actually resulted in pollution. This is certainly something that you really do need to know so that there are no lawsuits slapped versus you. In addition to all that has actually been stated so far, it definitely will come as not a surprise that a person of the very best methods to get hold of the appropriate brand name for galvanized rain gutters is client testimonials. The reality of the matter is that this would provide you an excellent online forum to go over and see exactly what type of galvanized seamless gutters would be perfect for you. What you really do have to do is to think about all your requirements and then make a decision based upon that alone. This would help you strike down a lot of other options also. All in all, while galvanized rain gutters are definitely the method to go, you likewise have to comprehend that cost is something that requires to be considered rather seriously also. All things considered, the fact of the matter is that when picking galvanized rain gutters, guarantee that you acquire a proper brand that is well known for reliability and toughness. This would help you in the long term from several elements such as for example repairs and warranties. While it may not be the most convenient thing to choose galvanized seamless gutters, remember you can likewise rely on the assistance of a home builder as well. These people would be able to assist you out with regard to all that has to be evaluated when it comes to galvanized seamless gutters and their workings. Just make sure that before you do wind up purchasing decision you think about all thats have been laid down here.

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Things to Do in St. Louis 1. Get a bird’s eye view from the Gateway Arch Take a 630-foot ride to the top of this world-famous stainless steel monument for the finest view in the Gateway City. Then stop by the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to get a glimpse of where Lewis and Clark set out on their historic expedition! Visitors can also hop aboard a 19th century paddle-wheel boat replica for a narrated cruise down the mighty Mississippi. 2. Get your head in the game Sports fans rejoice! During the spring and summer seasons, you can cheer on our 11-time World champions the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. For a more intimate baseball experience and some of the most creative game day treats and activities around, check out the Gateway Grizzlies at GCS Ballpark. Soccer fans can watch the Saint Louis FC compete in the United Soccer League at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. If you’re visiting in the fall or winter, you can catch the St. Louis Blues heating up the ice at the Scottrade Center. No matter what time of year, visitors can get a taste of true team spirit in this bona fide sports town. 3. Take a thrill ride (or two) at Six Flags St. Louis Visit this exciting Midwest theme park that’s fun for the whole family! Visitors can loop the loop on Batman the Ride, soar at speeds of up to 62 mph on the Screaming Eagle wooden coaster and get soaked on the whitewater rapids adventure of Thunder River. Guests of Six Flags St. Louis can also see live shows and concerts, meet their favorite cartoon characters and have tons of fun in the sun at Hurricane Harbor Water Park. There are plenty of hotel amenities just minutes from the park, and visitors can take advantage of group discounts for youth groups, company outings, family reunions and much more! 4. Spend a night out on the town Looking for a fun night out? Check out the new sports-anchored entertainment district in the heart of downtown Ballpark Village St. Louis! Jump a few block north to Washington Avenue or Laclede’s Landing and take your pick of some of the hottest bars and dance clubs in St. Louis (most are smoke free and open till 3 a.m.). Visitors can also go for dinner, drinks and a show at Westport Plaza’s 42-acre entertainment district, or check out the trendiest boutiques and upscale dining establishments in Clayton and the Central West End. If live music is your thing, Soulard boasts some of the best blues venues in town. Or, try out your detective skills at one of the awesome escape rooms in the area like St. Louis Escape, Mastermind Room Escape, and No Way Out STL. 5. Check out a creature feature at the Saint Louis Zoo Get up close and personal with the furry, the flying and the fishy creatures of the Saint Louis Zoo. One of the city’s many free attractions, the Saint Louis Zoo has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading zoological parks. Take a ride on the Emerson Zooline Railroad and get a guided tour of some of the most exciting animal exhibits in the park, or venture on your own through attractions like Big Cat Country, Penguin & Puffin Coast or the Interactive Stingray Pool. Kids will enjoy the children’s petting zoo, and dining and souvenirs are available at one of the many boutiques and restaurants located around the park.

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Top 10 Home Improvement Tips Every Homeowner Should Know It doesn't matter if you've bought a newly built home, a condo in a maintained community, or a fixer-upper—owning your own place brings out the home improvement itch in us all (or at least requires us to do necessary repairs and maintenance tasks). Here are ten pieces of advice to help turn your dwelling place into a better home. 10. Choose the Improvements That Add the Most Value to Your Home If you were offered $100,000, no strings attached, what home improvements would you do? Chances are, a long laundry list of changes come to mind, from refinishing the hardwood floors to adding a new bathroom. Some home improvements, however, are more likely to increase your home's value than others. Although you shouldn't think of your home as an investment, with limited home improvement funds, it's good to consider whether a project has a decent return on investment. 9. Tackle the Quick Projects That Are Most Timely Whether winter is coming or you're considering projects in another season, some home improvements are more urgent than others—saving you money immediately or preventing devastating damage. Sometimes it only takes ten minutes or less to make simple changes around the house that boost your living space. 8. Decide to DIY or Not Even if you're a weekend warrior with a well-stocked workshop, not all home improvement projects are suitable to do yourself (or at least, without the help of a professional). Know your limits, start small if you're a beginner, and then keep calm and DIY on (if you so wish). 7. Hone Your Home Improvement Skills Big projects or small, probably all of us could stand to learn some decent home repair or home improvement skills. (All around the home, there are things we should never have to pay others to fix for us.) Learn Bob Villa-worthy skills and help others at the same time by volunteering or through free clinics and other resources. Turn to great reading resources and try starter projects too. If you get stuck on a project, iOS app Fountain will connect you to a home improvement expert to answer your question for $5. (Also, did you know we have a home improvement subblog here at Lifehacker called Workshop?) 6. Find Inspiration for Your Next Home Project Pinterest is your friend, homeowners. As is Houzz, This Old House, and BHG. Zillow Diggs is pretty neat because it not only shows you project photos, but cost estimates and contractors as well. You can also binge watch HGTV on Netflix, but I'm warning you, you may never leave the house again. 5. Get the Right Tools You can't really improve your home much with just your bare hands (you'll need a multi-tool at least!). Equip your toolbox with the essential tools for any minor repair or major project, such as basic plumbing tools. Don't forget your smartphone might be the best DIY tool in your kit, though, and, when all else fails, there's duct tape. 4. Find Money for Your Home Improvement Unfortunately, most home improvements do not pay for themselves. If you can't afford to finance the project in full with cash, know the different ways you can finance your home improvement without putting your home at risk. Also, if you know the difference between tax breaks you get for home repairs or home improvements, you can make the proper deductions at tax time and get some money back from your project. Similarly, if you're paying private mortgage insurance, home improvements that increase the value of your home could help you eliminate that cost, which, although it doesn't raise funds for your project, can reduce your housing expenses overall. 3. Choose the Right Contractor About as important as finding a good dentist and finding a good therapist: Finding a responsible handyman or contractor. Horror stories of homeowners being scammed by contractors or having work done so shoddily that it cost thousands of dollars to redo (not to mention the money already spent) give me the shivers. Vet your contractors carefully: Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, and supply houses. Check for complaints against the contractor. Find out what licenses and permits they need. Check out the contractor's insurance. Don't skip this step! Meet with the contractor. Get quotes. Track the quote variables with a spreadsheet or other list. Ask for references and check them out. 2. Save Money on Your Home Improvement Projects The more money we save on one home improvement project, the more we have left for all the other ones we want to do. In addition to knowing the remodeling projects that offer the most bang for your buck, know which elements of a project you can splurge or skimp on—spend more on items that are hard to replace, such as the bathtub, but skimp on the faucet, for example, or spend more on a professional range if you're a gourmet cook and save on the decorative tiles and flooring that look like premium materials. Shop at reuse centers (including architectural salvage stores) to save big bucks on materials, appliances, and furnishings. And after your project, pay it forward by donating your home improvement leftovers to Habitat for Humanity. 1. Have a Plan Last but not least, one of the worst things you can do when it comes to home improvements is to start a project without the major details—cost, time, materials, and design—as realistic as possible from the start. Nothing costs more than having to "change horses in midstream" (e.g., you want to move the fridge somewhere else now or want to change your tile choice). Use design tools to conceptualize your project and add a healthy buffer (10-15% more) to your time and financial budget to account for the inevitable surprises.