The cost of upkeep for the average home can be overwhelming. Between the cost of utilities and providing food for your family and preparing for the unexpected, you may be spending more than you want. Home improvements, such as installing new windows are a great way to improve the aesthetic appeal as well as save you money over time; unfortunately, the cost of updating a home can be extremely daunting and outside the budget for many people. Studies have shown that in 2018 alone, Americans spent around $394 billion improving their homes. The good news is that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on contractors to do your home improvements; there are several small DIY home improvements you can that will save you a lot of money.
Improve Energy Efficiency
Next to food and household necessities, home utilities are typically what most households spend the most money on. Yes, buying all new energy-efficient appliances or installing energy-efficient windows will save you money on energy costs, but there are a number of other ways you can save money on energy costs, without breaking your budget. For instance, by simply caulking around your windows and doors and adding insulation to the attic, you can have a home that is about 30% more energy efficient. Along with adding insulation or caulking, you may consider installing a low-flow faucet, showerhead, and toilet which can help to reduce your water bill by about 20 percent.
Landscaping
It’s difficult for some people to associate landscaping with saving money, but with there are several ways that landscaping can save you money while improving the aesthetics of your home. For instance, installing a flower garden will reduce the amount of grass you’ll need to mow, which ultimately saves you money on lawn equipment, and it’s an excellent time-saver. You can go a step further and start a vegetable garden, which will provide color to the landscaping, and growing your own fruits and vegetables can save you a few hundred dollars on grocery costs.
Preparing For The Unexpected
One of the best types of DIY home improvements you can do that will save you money is to prepare for the unexpected. For instance, if you live in an area that is subjected to heavy storms, the cost of making repairs to the damages caused by a storm can quickly drain your bank account. Research, including a report by Willis Re in March 2017 showed that the average annual loss from convective storms is $11.23 billion, and the average loss from hurricanes was $11.28 billion. The good news is you can save money by planning ahead; you can take preventative measures to help reduce the number of damages your home experiences during a storm. Some simple, yet effective home improvements to save money from storm damages may include keeping the trees trimmed to reduce the risk of roof damage, install storm shutters to prevent window damage, and make sure your home is flood-proof.
There are many different ways to tackle home improvement projects that will ultimately help you save money. However, it’s important to keep in mind that if you have several projects, but none completed, you aren’t only wasting your time, but probably spending more in the long run. So, the best way to tackle home improvement projects is by doing one at a time, start with the smallest, and work your way up to larger projects. The goal is to work smarter, not harder. For instance, if your first home improvement goal is to reduce energy costs, a small, but effective way to start is by replacing the covers on electrical outlets; this small step is aesthetically pleasing, and it’ll save you some energy costs. Once you complete a few small projects, you’ll be motivated to get started on those more intensive DIY home improvement projects.