5 Easy Summer Home Improvement Ideas

• Pressure-wash exteriors
• Install screens around your back porch
• Build a tree bench
• Refinish your deck
• Build a shed

1. Pressure-wash exteriors

Over time, dirt, grime, and mildew can build up on your home’s exterior, making it look dull and dingy. Pressure washing is an easy and effective way to bring back its original shine. Here’s how to get started:

• Rent or buy a pressure washer: If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from most hardware stores. Make sure to choose the right pressure setting to avoid damaging your siding.
• Choose the right detergent: Depending on your siding material (vinyl, wood, brick, etc.), use a suitable detergent. Many pressure washers come with recommendations.
• Stay safe: Wear protective gear, including goggles and gloves. Also, be mindful of the pressure washer’s force to avoid accidents. Tempted to cool down with a quick spray? Think again.
• Master the method: Start from the top and work your way down in a smooth, sweeping motion. This prevents streaks and ensures a thorough clean.

After a good wash, your home will look almost brand new, boosting its curb appeal significantly. Plus, your exteriors will dry faster thanks to the summer sun.

2. Install screens around your back porch

Porch screens are a good investment to enjoy your back porch all year round. Not only do they provide some temperature regulation, but screened porches also reduce the amount of bugs and other pests that can invade your outdoor space. Plus, if you have indoor pets, screened porches are a great way to safely give them a taste of the outdoors. As for the screen installation, it’s simpler than you might think. This guide has everything you need to know to handle this easy outdoor DIY project.

3. Build a bench

There’s nothing like relaxing in your own yard, watching the summer sunset with a cold drink in your hands. A bench strategically placed in the shade can take your relaxation to a new level. Building a bench is fairly easy, but of course, there are plenty of ready-made options out there if you’d rather not go the DIY route. You can make your bench as simple or as complicated as you want, but some basic materials you’ll need include wood (pine is a popular choice for outdoor furniture), screws, a drill, a circular saw, and a measuring tape.

Need some bench inspo? These popular styles offer options for every DIY skill level:

• Super simple wood bench
• Bench with storage
• Arbor bench

4. Refinish your deck

A well-maintained deck is perfect for summer BBQs, gatherings, or unwinding in solitude with a good beach read. If your deck is looking a bit worse for wear, refinishing it can make a world of difference. Here’s how:

• Clean thoroughly: Remove any debris and give your deck a good scrub with a deck cleaner.
• Sand the surface: Use a power sander to smooth out any rough spots and remove old finish. This will also help the new stain adhere better.
• Apply stain: Choose a stain that suits your deck’s wood type. Apply it evenly with a brush or roller, following the grain of the wood.
• Seal the deal: Once the stain is dry, apply a sealant to protect your deck from moisture and UV rays.

Pro Tip: Don’t have a deck? Here’s how to build one: How to Build a Deck.

5. Build a shed

Building a shed is a great storage solution and summer home improvement project to consider, and potential buyers down the line are sure to appreciate the addition. Here’s a simplified outline to get you started:

• Plan and permit: Check local regulations for permits. Design your shed based on your needs and space.
• Choose your foundation: Choose between a concrete slab or a gravel base. Make sure it’s level and sturdy.
• Frame the shed: Construct the walls and roof using treated lumber. Assemble them on the ground and then raise them into place.
• Install siding and roof: Use weather-resistant materials for the siding and roofing. Ensure everything is properly sealed.
• Add doors and windows: Install your doors and windows, making sure they are weatherproofed.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a simple shed with minimal customizations, you can also purchase pre-built sheds at most hardware stores.

Financing your summer home improvement ideas

Did you know that your mortgage can actually help you finance your summer home improvement ideas? In addition to renovation loans like FHA 203(k), Cardinal Financial offers EasyPath Renovation. This program is designed for small-scale renovations like the projects discussed above. In a nutshell, you can combine it with a renovation loan and complete your projects through a major retailer like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards. You can find the full breakdown on EasyPath here. Happy renovating!

Home improvements aren’t just a fun way to spend the extra hours of summer daylight—they can also boost your home’s value and increase curb appeal.

The post 5 Summer Home Improvement Ideas to Try This Season appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

3 Key DIY Home Renovation Tips

• Decide which projects you’ll DIY, and which you’ll leave to the pros
• Budget for more than you think you’ll need
• Work on one project at a time

Decide which projects you’ll DIY

As a general rule, you’ll want to avoid DIYing projects that require permits (this will vary depending on where you live, so do your research before you start). Similarly, projects involving your electricity, plumbing, and HVAC system are better left to professionals. So, what projects can you DIY?

Demolition

As long as you take proper safety precautions, demolition is a home renovation project you can tackle yourself. Just don’t knock down that load-bearing wall, please. And if your home was built prior to 1979, make sure you test for lead paint and asbestos first.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint is a mainstay of DIY home updates. Choose your colors, cover your furniture and floors, and have fun. And if you don’t feel like taking on your whole home, simply painting your front door with a statement color can boost your curb appeal.

Fixtures and finishes

Swapping out light fixtures, switch plate covers, and cabinet hardware is a simple update that can make a big difference. All you really need to handle this one is the right screwdriver. Since fixtures and finishes are easy to swap out, this is also a good way to incorporate current home decor trends. If you don’t like the look or trends change, updating them again is a simple process.

Drywall (sometimes)

This one really comes down to how much confidence you have in your drywall abilities. Patching up a few holes is a skill every homeowner should have, but large-scale drywall projects are typically not worth the headache of doing yourself. So, if your whole home needs new drywall, call a pro. If it’s a small area, go ahead and DIY (if you want to, of course).

Budget for more than you think you’ll need

An evergreen home renovation tip? Expect the unexpected. That includes your budget, too. While you can save a lot of money by DIYing, you’ll still need to account for the costs of materials and tools in your budget—with wiggle room for any do-overs you may need. Luckily, your mortgage could actually help you finance those home projects. With a cash-out refinance, you can leverage your home equity for cash and use those funds to cover your renovation expenses.*

*Using your home equity to pay off debts or make other purchases does not eliminate the debt or the cost of the purchases, but rather increases the loan amount of your mortgage to be paid according to your new mortgage terms.

Work on one project at a time

Ready to practice mindfulness? One of the best DIY home renovation tips we can offer is to be patient. Tackle one project at a time so that if life happens and you need to pause, your whole home won’t be in disarray. Starting with just one project is also a good way to gauge if DIY is the right choice for you. Sometimes, the work just isn’t worth it and you may decide that professional renovations are a better fit going forward. No judgment here.

If you do opt out of DIY renovations, you may be able to use a renovation loan to roll your mortgage and project costs into one. This can help streamline the process, ensure your contractor is reliable, and lower your up-front renovation expenses.

Bonus DIY home renovation tips

Don’t hit the ground running with your home improvement ideas just yet. Before you go, here are a few bonus DIY home renovation tips to keep in mind.

• Stay flexible. Timelines, budgets, and visions may have to change as you go, so don’t stress if everything doesn’t go exactly to your original plan.
• Collect plenty of inspiration. Having a visual aid to guide your work usually results in a better finished product than freestyling it.
• Ask for help. DIY doesn’t have to mean actually doing everything yourself. Ask for your friends’ opinions on design options, host a house painting party, and make the most of your community resources.

Our top DIY home renovation tip? Understand which projects should actually be DIYed, and which are better left to professionals.

The post DIY Renovation Tips: What Should You Actually DIY? appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

When it comes to home remodeling, the line between what you can do and what you shouldn’t do becomes a little blurry. If you’re thinking about maximizing your home’s square footage or tweaking a few things to optimize usage, you’re going to want to pay attention to the following home renovation tips. They’ll help you stay (mostly) sane during some of the more hectic periods of your upcoming project. 

1. Rushing into remodeling

First things first: Take it easy. Unless you’re a house flipper who just closed on an “as-is” home, and you need to start renovations ASAP, take some time to truly live in your home and get a better understanding of the flow. What you want and what the home needs may not line up exactly, and the last thing you want to do is start a remodeling project before realizing that maybe the original floor plans worked better before you blew out that wall. 

Beyond that, planning is key to project success. Unless you’re flush with cash, you’re probably not going to hire a contractor and start demolition in a short time span. Measurements need to be made, contractors need to be interviewed, plans need to be created, and things like paint, tile, and fixtures need to be picked out. Even a single room can take weeks or months of preparation.

2. Skipping research

Speaking of preparation, research is vital to your home improvement project. On one hand, that means measuring twice (or thrice), sketching out ideas, and perusing color palettes. There’s fun research—like looking at different fixture styles, and not-so-fun research—like crawling under cabinets to see if your pipes are PVC or cast iron. All of this will inform your remodeling project.

On the other hand, it means meeting with more than one contractor, gathering multiple bids, and setting your priorities straight. Here are some tips in that regard:

• Look for local builders who have been in business for several years, have in-house designers, and have plenty of reviews.
• Before scheduling contractor consultations, take some time to read their reviews (including the bad ones, because bad reviews don’t always mean bad contractors).
• Take note of everything, including how the contractor speaks to you during your consultation, whether or not they pay attention to your plans and ideas, and whether or not they show up on time.

3. Not documenting things

Have you ever refreshed TikTok accidentally, or heard a catchy song without remembering to write down the lyrics so you can look it up later? It’s a gut punch of a feeling, right? Knowing that something you liked is now lost to the void, and all you can do is hope that it turns up again someday.

Imagine that feeling with an expensive remodeling project. Don’t be afraid to keep a spreadsheet of products, prices, and contacts. If you come across tile you love, screenshot it. If a contractor scratches your floors, snap a photo.

Documentation can keep you organized, and organization can save your behind and your budget.

4. Choosing the lowest quote

A common rule of thumb is to collect three quotes from different contractors for any kind of project. New windows? Three quotes. New concrete slab? Three quotes. New floors? Three quotes. 

A common rule of thumb is to collect three quotes from different contractors for any kind of project.

Three should be your minimum, and you’ll likely have a high bid, a low bid, and a bid that falls somewhere in the middle. Don’t just choose the cheapest contractor—compare those quotes and consider what they may or may not include. Does the high bid include better quality fixtures? Does the low bid leave out something important? Does one contractor offer a multi-project discount?

While choosing the lowest bid might save you a few thousand dollars now, it could end up costing even more money down the line. Know this: According to the National Association of Home Builders, “more than 30% of all jobs home remodelers perform come from failed DIY projects”

5. Forgetting to budget

Remodeling is expensive. Even simple DIY projects can add up to hundreds of dollars, and more complex work can quickly balloon out of your control.

One of the best things you can do is to know your budget inside and out, and work with a contractor who will work with your budget. That isn’t to say you can’t interview contractors to get “ballpark” estimates, but they’ll be able to give you a better estimate if you come prepared with a number beforehand. 

Different resources (and opinions) exist on the matter, but consider this table before committing to the following project types:

Note: This table uses rough estimates from various resources, including HomeGuide and OpenDoor. We are not affiliated with these resources, and homeowners should perform due diligence on their project estimates before agreeing to anything. 

6. Working without permits

Depending on the scope of your project, and depending on your city’s requirements, permits may be required for your remodel. Those permits may be pricey, and they may even be a hassle to obtain, but they are a must if you want things documented (remember that part?) and done right. 

Electrical work, plumbing, and wall removals will often require permits, largely because any of those three things could have disastrous consequences if done incorrectly. Permits are supposed to help ensure the safety and compliance of your projects, in accordance with local zoning ordinances. 

Consequences of working without a permit include, but aren’t limited to:

• Future buyers backing out of a sale
  • Permits are recorded and tied to your home’s deed. If the projects you complete aren’t recorded, buyers may be wary of what lurks behind the walls of your unpermitted projects.
• Having to tear out and restart the work
  • Building authorities may force you or your contractor to start from square one if they discover unpermitted electrical and plumbing work, which could set your budget back by thousands of dollars.
• Homeowner’s insurance not covering damages
  • Picture this: You want an open floor plan, so you hire someone to remove a wall between your kitchen and your living room. Lo and behold, the ceiling caves in because the wall was load-bearing. Because the work was completed without a permit, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover the substantial damages—leaving you with a hefty mess and an even heftier repair bill. 

7. Chasing trends and clashing styles

Just because it’s pretty, doesn’t mean it belongs in your home. Homes come in many architectural styles—including Victorian, Colonial, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary, and more. Different styles come with their own defining characteristics, and today’s trends may not always fit your home’s established style. 

For example, a modern door may not match a Colonial home. Likewise, Art Deco design may not jive with a Tudor home. And all-black everything could diminish the charm of your newly purchased Cape Cod cottage. 

Instead of chasing trends, consider design elements that enhance the existing beauty of your home. After all, trends change frequently—the last thing you want is to lose resale value because 2023 was the year of plaster. 

Instead of chasing trends, consider design elements that enhance the existing beauty of your home.

8. Changing plans (too often)

Hey, we get it—sometimes that tile you really loved doesn’t quite fit the space the way you imagined. Short of minor changes to superficial things like paint and tile, it’s best to stick to the plans your designer and contractor drew up. After all, it’s what you’re paying them for, and major deviations to those plans—meaning structural changes and heavy design alterations—could increase your costs and frustrate your contractor. 

A good contractor will walk through the plans with you multiple times before work starts, giving you ample time to adjust before materials are ordered. They may even bring you in for a look before installing something, just to get a gut check. These are your opportunities to make changes, not after tile has already been grouted into place. 

9. Sidestepping safety

Permits, which we talked about earlier, are one element of creating a safe work environment. Here are some other ways you can protect yourself and others when remodeling your home:

• Wearing PPE (gloves, safety glasses, masks/respirators, hardhats, etc.)
• Using fans to help evacuate chemical fumes
• Hanging or laying down plastic sheeting to capture dust and debris
• Disabling electricity at the breaker before beginning demolition
• Testing for asbestos and lead paint (important for older homes)
• Keep your hands clear of sharp objects

Following these home reno tips can help everyone working in your home safe. If the contractor you hired isn’t following these safety precautions, bring it up. There’s no such thing as “too safe” when it comes to protecting yourself, your family, and your investment. 

10. Ignoring your gut

If you ever feel like the numbers aren’t adding up, don’t like the way something is being handled, or think something isn’t quite right, don’t be afraid to listen to your gut and voice your concerns. A good contractor will either listen to your concerns, or explain why alterations had to be made. Ultimately your home’s renovation is just that: your home’s renovation, not anyone else’s. Your gut instincts may protect your investment. 

The post Top 10 Home Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on Cardinal Financial.