Home Improvement
Remodeling
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Before you renovate, have you considered this?
(BPT) - Home improvement projects are popular this time of year and you've certainly tackled your share of DIY to-dos in the past. But not this year. This year you realize it's time to go big, to go bold, to set aside those traditional home improvement projects for another year and do something even bigger. Yes, this year, it's time to renovate.
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2018 remodeling trends that boost your home's value
(BPT) - A strong housing market is giving homeowners the confidence to invest in remodeling. In fact, homeowner spending on improvements and repairs will approach $340 billion in 2018, an increase of 7.5 percent from estimated 2017 spending, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
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Create an outdoor oasis with a personalized shed
(BPT) - The backyard. It's your oasis. Your happy place. Your second living room. It's the place to go not only for "me" time - but quality time with friends and family. This National Barbecue Month, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association wants to help you make your backyard the best backyard it can be.
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Home Maintenance
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4 ways to prep your home for winter
(BPT) - When you start feeling those first hints of winter, the instinct to get ready kicks in. You may dig out your car's snow brush, blanket, shovel and winter survival kit and place them in the trunk of your car. The winter coats and boots come out of storage, and you may pick up some extra mittens.
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The best way to clean wood floors might surprise you
(BPT) - Although most people envision their dream home with shiny wood floors, many consumers are unaware of the best way to care for them, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association.
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5 tips for financing your next home improvement project
(BPT) - Whether it's transforming a fixer-upper into your dream home or just giving a makeover to your kitchen or bathroom, home improvement projects are on the minds of many new homeowners across the country. While many things about renovating your home are flexible, your budget might not be. In general, not a single floor board is laid, or a new countertop installed without money, which is why every home renovation project should begin with careful financial planning.
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How to fix a ceiling fan
A ceiling fan is a pleasure when the weather starts warming up. It stirs the air and creates a delightful breeze. The fact that a fan is much less expensive to run than your home air conditioning doesn't hurt, either. What happens, though, if your fan suddenly stops functioning the way it should? Do you know how to troubleshoot a ceiling fan problem? Here's a brief guide, with 5 causes and solutions for common malfunctions, plus some general tips to help you out.
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Landscaping
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5 yard updates you can complete in a fall weekend
(BPT) - If you love spending time in your yard, the end of summer can mark a period of sadness thinking about the colder temperatures and shorter days you must endure before getting back outside.
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Celebrate the season! 5 ways to get your yard party-ready
(BPT) - If you're like many Americans, you're planning an outdoor party to celebrate the warm-weather season. That may be especially true if you've made recent improvements to your outdoor spaces; according to a recent Houzz survey, 51 percent of homeowners conducting such upgrades plan to throw more parties, and 67 percent plan to spend more time outdoors.
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DIY deck re-do: Resurface in a weekend
(BPT) - Outdoor living season means backyard BBQs, yard games and relaxing with a good book or good friends. If you own a wood deck, however, it also means considerable time and money spent on seasonal maintenance and deck repairs.
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Dominate spring: 5 easy steps to wake up your lawn
(BPT) - There are a lot of things people miss during the winter - flip-flops, shorts and warm sunshine. But one of the things homeowners miss the most is the sight of green grass. For months their lawns go into hibernation and disappear under a blanket of snow. Once the temperature starts to rise and the days start getting longer, many are eager to get outside and restore their lawns to their former glory.
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Spring lawn care is easier than ever
(BPT) - The snow has melted, flowers are beginning to bloom, and you wake to the sound of birds chirping: all signs that spring is here. Spring means time to give your lawn the TLC it needs, but most of us dread the thought of weekends spent occupied by yard work. Luckily, in 2018, getting that perfectly green grass and enviable garden does not have to be hard. Prevent disease and pests
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4 ways hardscapes can add value to your home
(BPT) - Outdoor hardscape projects add resale value to a home as well as bring extra enjoyment to homeowners while they are living in the home, according to the "Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features" by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). The report confirms that investing in landscaping and hardscaping is a win-win, whether you plan to stay in your home or prepare it for market.
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Plumbing
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3 elements to create a dream bathroom sanctuary
(BPT) - Bathrooms reign supreme, overtaking kitchens as the most popular remodeling project, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders. In the study, remodelers reported on the most common projects in 2017 and 81 percent performed bathroom remodeling.
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Electrical
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3 elements to create a dream bathroom sanctuary
(BPT) - Bathrooms reign supreme, overtaking kitchens as the most popular remodeling project, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders. In the study, remodelers reported on the most common projects in 2017 and 81 percent performed bathroom remodeling.
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Roofing
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3 reasons fall is a great time for roofing
(BPT) - Cool breezes and falling leaves are around the corner, and for many parts of the country those telltale signs of fall signal the best possible season for roofing. So what makes fall a great time for roof repairs or a full replacement? 1. Perfect weather
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More Headlines
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4 tips to mitigate home improvement costs
(BPT) - Construction material costs in 2018 are up about 10 percent compared to last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and some raw materials, like crude petroleum, are up nearly 50 percent. Labor is also getting more expensive as construction workers are in high demand due to the skilled labor shortage. So, as a homeowner getting ready to start a project, what can you do to mitigate these rising costs? 1. Don't delay
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Products to improve your home in 2 hours or less
(BPT) - The words home improvement usually conjure up images of major undertakings like tiling your bathroom or kitchen or tearing down a wall, taking hours and hours to complete the project. The fact is there are some meaningful home improvements you can do that can be accomplished in under two hours.
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How homeowners can prepare for summer storm season
(BPT) - It's that time of year again when unwanted weather patterns like severe thunderstorms, rainstorms and tornadoes can wreak havoc on homes and businesses.
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4 tips to prepare for extended power outages
(BPT) - In the year 2018, it's very easy to take your home's power for granted. You flick the light switch and the lights come on. Same with the television and the microwave. It's easy. And should a storm knock the power out, you expect that it will be up again in a matter of minutes or hours.
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