Fixing up your house is truly a labor of love. Hiring a Chicago handyman or home maintenance company is an option, and for some repair jobs, it’s a good idea to bring in the pros. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money when it comes to handyman services in Chicago or when you do the tasks yourself. Keeping your house and property up to date is essential, especially if you plan on selling anytime soon.
Landscaping
The outside of the house is perhaps more important than the interior. Curb appeal begins with a beautiful, weed-free lawn. DIY lawn care involves mowing, weeding, edging, and fertilizing. Planting native plants and flowers are natural since they’re low maintenance. They’re also disease and pest-resistant, already adapted to the environment, and help cut down on soil erosion. Landscapers in Chicago can recommend the right kinds of greenery for your yard. They can also install an automatic sprinkler system to make your yard more efficient.
Curbside Visuals
Adding window boxes and painting the shutters, trims, porch, fences, and front door shows your guests how well you maintain your home. When was the last time you power-washed the driveway or hosed down the porch? Dirt and grime make the outside look old and dingy. Decorate the property with suncatchers, solar light sticks, flags, and other ornaments. A new mailbox won’t cost much — plant some flowers around it. Replace old house address numbers and update light fixtures. You can find products of all kinds and price ranges at your favorite home improvement store.
Roofs and Gutters
Clogged gutters are apt to damage the roof, especially during heavy snowfall. Do It Yourselfers can climb a ladder with a leaf blower or garden hose to flush out leaves, twigs, debris, and bird droppings. Don’t want to do that every season? Install a gutter protection system. Have a professional inspect the roof and chimney flashing. An inspection service may cost a few bucks, but it’s better than a significant renovation project following unexpected damage.
Windows
Leaky windows that let cold air in increase your winter heating bills. Replacing old windows is best, but you can also scrape off the old caulk and apply new putty around the frames. Heavy drapes, solar film, storm windows, and awnings keep the heat in.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Yearly inspections and maintenance of your furnace and AC units can save you money down the road. (Imagine your air conditioner breaking down on a Sunday in July!) Hire an HVAC technician to clean or replace belts, safety devices, filters, and ignitions. There are some things homeowners should NOT do themselves … this is one of them. But you can change the air filters every season.
Inside
Open-air kitchens are pleasant and inviting for families and guests who want to hang out, eat, socialize, or watch television. While it may not be practical to tear out walls in the house, you can install island tops, flooring, faucets, refinished cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances. Handyman contractors in Chicago can help you figure out what works best for your property and budget.
Bathroom
Flat walk-in showers are a plus, especially as the years go by. Stone trimming, glass doors, and modern fixtures will brighten up the bathroom and don’t have to cost a lot. Toilets become crusty, rusty, and full of lime over time. Check out your options for replacing toilets, sinks, faucets, and cabinetry. You can save money over time by installing a low-flow toilet.
Get Smart!
Today’s technological world is getting “smarter.” Fill your home with smart speakers, doorbells, lights, thermostats, and whatever else helps make life easier. Control smart gadgets through cell phone apps — that’s something to attract would-be homebuyers. Create a particular area to power up phones and tablets.
‘Me’ Space
Designating a particular area of the home for relaxing may not seem like an upgrade to the house, but it’s one that will improve your quality of life. Turn a room into one where you can exercise, watch TV, play on the computer, read, do jigsaw puzzles, and whatever else you want to do when no one else is around. The cost? Almost nothing, but the benefits are priceless.
Fixing up the house and property is something you should do every season, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Make a list and a seasonal goal. Adding a Chicago handyman app on your phone can save you time and a lot of hassles.
By: Clarence Luna, is a freelance writer and former teacher who enjoys gardening and do-it-yourself projects. His current goal: grow tomato plants in his garden as tall as his 6-foot 5-inch frame.
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