The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1480126
How to cut costs on home renovations Do you still have an avoca- do green kitchen? Is your liv- ing room dank and dark? Per- haps there is only one bath- room for a family of six? An- swering yes to any of these questions could serve as the catalyst for a home renovation project. Home improvement proj- ects come in all shapes and sizes — some with huge bud- gets and others that are more cost-conscious. Regardless of what homeowners hope to achieve with their renova- tions, a common goal across any price point is a desire to save as much money as possi- ble. Home renovations can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs. • Assess the merit of the project. Remodeling magazine annually publishes a "Cost vs. Value Report" that lists the av- erage cost and return on in- vestment homeowners can ex- pect of various types of proj- ects. If you're planning to sell your home soon, it may be best to focus on repairs and renovations that will gener- ate the most substantial ROI. • Hire a contractor. Even avid do-it-yourselfers can sometimes benefit from a con- tractor's expertise, particu- larly for complex tasks. Don't waste money by trying tough jobs yourself; rely on an expe- rienced contractor who can get supplies for less money and will do the job right the first time. Compare bids from several different contractors and figure out the best value. • Refurbish existing fea- tures. Rather than a complete gut and rebuild, figure out where you can revitalize ex- isting fixtures and more. For example, refinishing exist- ing cabinets can save you up to 50 percent compared with the cost of new cabinetry, ac- cording to Angi (formerly An- gie's List), a cost comparison and business review resource. • Choose midgrade mate- rials. Certain materials may be all the rage but they come with a higher price tag. An- gi reports that granite count- ers could be $ 60 to $100 per square foot. However, a com- posite or laminate that looks like granite and wears well may be $10 to 40 per square foot. Figure out where you can choose middle-of-the-road ma- terials for maximum value. • Avoid peak seasons. You'll pay more to install a deck or a pool right before the outdoor entertaining season. There al- so may be a premium to get work done right before a major holiday. Therefore, consult the calendar to find an off time for a renovation and book it then to save. • Do some prep work. You might be able to save by do- ing some of the demolition and preparatory work yourself. For example, you can tear up old carpeting before the instal- lation of new tile floors. Per- haps you can mend and patch up walls before a paint job. • Buy a display item. For- mer showroom kitchens and baths often are sourced at a fraction of their recommend- ed retail prices, according to Real Homes, a home remod- el guide based in the United Kingdom. Retailers often up- date their displays and you may score existing showroom items at a discount. Renovations can be expen- sive, but there are many dif- ferent ways to cut costs. REDUCED TEMPERATURE SWINGS ENHANCED PERFORMANCE IMPROVED DEHUMIDIFICATION Variable-speed technology means invariable comfort. The Infinity ® 20 air conditioner combines the energy efficiency of Greenspeed ® intelligence with the convenience and precision of the Infinity System Control. With reduced temperature swings, improved dehumidification and ultra-quiet operation, the Infinity 20 air conditioner will have you more comfortable than ever before. Energy Efficiency That's Right in Your Comfort Zone. ©Carrier Corporation 4/2018. carrier.com REDUCED TEMPERATURE SWINGS means invariable comfort. combines the energy efficiency of Greenspeed ® intelligence with the Infinity System Control. With reduced temperature swings, ultra-quiet operation, the Infinity 20 air conditioner will have before. Efficiency That's Right in Your Comfort Zone. carrier.com REDUCED TEMPERATURE SWINGS ENHANCED PERFORMANCE IMPROVED DEHUMIDIFICATION Variable-speed technology means invariable comfort. ® 20 air conditioner combines the energy efficiency of Greenspeed ® intelligence with convenience and precision of the Infinity System Control. With reduced temperature swings, dehumidification and ultra-quiet operation, the Infinity 20 air conditioner will have comfortable than ever before. Energy Efficiency That's Right in Your Comfort Zone. Corporation 4/2018. carrier.com Craig Perry Vance Perry Chase Perry PH: 812-743-2382 303 BRECKINRIDGE RD MONROE CITY Fax: 812-743-2169 Email: perryshvac@gmail.com HEATING & AIR-CONDITIONING Perry Perry ' s LLC Serving the area since 1950. Perry Perry ' s The name that stands for quality... since 1950 Craig Perry has more than 45 years experience with Perry's, working since high school with his father and brother, his son, Vance, and now his grandson, Chase. Vance, representing the third generation at Perry's, is a Purdue graduate specializ- ing in HVAC Systems and Controls. He has the training and knowledge necessary to plan, install and maintain today's modern, efficient and complex heating and cooling systems. FOUR GENERATIONS STRONG Customers throughout the area have relied on the experienced team at Perry's for climate control and air quality in their homes and businesses for more than 65 years. Complete Line of: Air Conditioning, Gas Furnaces, Heat Pumps, Whole-Home Air Cleaners, Humidifiers, Water Heaters and Water Conditioners Variable-speed technology means invariable comfort. The Infinity ® 20 air conditioner combines the energy efficiency of Greenspeed ® intelligence with the convenience and precision of the Infinity System Control. With reduced temperature swings, improved dehumidification and ultra-quiet operation, the Infinity 20 air conditioner will have you more comfortable than ever before. ©Carrier Corporation Protect landscapes from wildlife Landscapes are vulnera- ble to the elements during the cold weather months. Ev- erything from de-icing prod- ucts to hungry animals to the weight of snow can affect trees, shrubs and other plants. Just because certain green- ery will go dormant during the winter doesn't mean land- scape maintenance ends when the mercury dips. Homeown- ers can take certain actions to winterproof their proper- ties and safeguard landscapes so they recover more readily when spring arrives. When resources are scarce, animals will be on the hunt for anything that's edible, and that includes whatever green- ery is growing on a landscape. Physical barriers in garden beds and around trees can help prevent damage caused by moles, voles and deer. Line the bottom and sides of gar- den beds with garden cloth to prevent ground-burrowing an- imals from getting in from be- neath, suggests the gardening resource I Must Garden. Wrapping shrubs in bur- lap or covering them in tem- porary netting can deter deer, who will seek accessible food sources over the winter. Erect fencing around new trees to keep deer away from the bark and lower branches. Make the yard less attrac- tive to deer and burrowers by opting for fat-based suet cakes to feed birds rather than loose seeds and berries in feeders, which herbivores will en- joy. Also, don't overwater or mulch landscapes too early. The loose soil and warmth of the mulch may entice moles and voles and other rodents to stick around in those areas and feed on plants. Investigate options in snow- melt products, as traditional rock salt can injure buds and branches and kill lawns. In ad- dition, avoid piling salted snow in one area of the landscape, as it will concentrate the salt in that spot. Spread out snow piles to help minimize the damage to delicate plants. Harsh winds and batter- ing snow can damage young plants. Use stakes and lattic- es to secure them so they'll be better able to withstand the weather, suggests Total Land- scape Management, a com- mercial and residential land- scaping company. Promptly remove snow from branches to help trees and shrubs; otherwise, the weight of ice and snow can break off branches and cause irrepara- ble damage. The Press-Dispatch Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 28, 2022 E-7