By Nick Gerhardt, The Family Handyman
Seal the Driveway
An asphalt driveway can last almost 30 years. But you can’t achieve that long life span unless the driveway was installed properly and you perform regular maintenance, like filling cracks annually and driveway sealing when needed. It’s not a glamorous project, but it’s a must-do when you have some extra time.
Improve Drainage in Your Yard
Nurture the land in your yard and protect the environment by channeling rain water and runoff from gutters into a rain garden planted with deep-rooted, colorful native plants. We’ll show you how to do it step by step.
Loose Fill Attic Insulation
Adding attic insulation remains at the top of the list on a national average with a 107 percent cost recoup, according to Remodeling Magazine. It’s the only project that recoups the cost and adds to the resale value. The cost of installing loose fill fiberglass insulation has risen by 5.9 in the past year. Insulating an attic will also save money on energy costs.
Steel Door Replacement for Entryway
A steel entry door ranks second on the list with an average recoup of 90.7 percent of the cost in resale value. The average cost of the job ran $1,413 nationally and the resale came in at $1,282.See how to install a door in a day.
Garage Door Replacement
Replacing a garage door is big for curb appeal and it’s also big on it ability to recoup the cost of the project. A garage door replacement is one of the cheaper projects with an average cost of $1,749 but it also returns an average of $1,345 in resale value. Find out how to replace a garage door.
Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement
On the list of upscale remodeling projects, a fiberglass entry door replacement recouped 85 percent of the cost. Learn how to replace an exterior door.
Smart Home Technology
Smart devices are infiltrating homes at increasing rates. Statista, a market research firm found that 33 percent of homes have one connected device and that number could rise to 60 percent by 2021. These smart devices can even detect leaks in your water heater. Check out smart devices for the home.
Paint a Room
Choose a paint color and give a room a fresh look. If you have a few days off strung together, painting is a quick project to complete, so you can get things back in order ASAP.
Resurface the Garage Floor
Cleaning and resurfacing the floor usually takes one day (on the other hand, clearing out your garage so you can work may take weeks!). As a first-timer, you might achieve a perfectly smooth, flat finish. Or you might end up with a few rough spots and small ridges. But even if your work is far from flawless, you’ll still make a bad floor look much better. And remember this: If you make some major mistakes, you can add a second coat—this time with the benefit of experience.
Tile a Backsplash
Tiling a backsplash above the counter is one of the easiest ways to upgrade an old, tired kitchen on a tight budget. You can choose from the vast array of handsome ceramic tiles available, including easy-to-install square ones or more difficult mosaic tiles.
Refinish Hardwood Floors
Sanding hardwood floors might seem like a pros-only project. It’s a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. And then there’s that big, scary sanding machine. But it’s really not that difficult. Our veteran floor finisher will show you how to successfully prep your floors for a new finish.
Fix a Sinking Driveway
It’s normal for asphalt driveways to sink a bit over time. But when your driveway repair has sunk to the point where it’s 4 or 5 in. lower than your garage floor, it’s time to fix it. If you don’t, water will pool in the depression, seep into the soil below, and eventually destroy the driveway.
Install New House Numbers
Updated house numbers add polish and shine. Replace shabby or dated-looking numbers with ones made of brass, aluminum or stainless steel. They’ll look best if the finish matches that of the light fixture and door hardware. Buy individual numbers or custom plaques. You can buy do-it-yourself address plaque kits from home centers, hardware stores and online retailers.Plus: 7 Roof Problems and What to Do About Them
Bathroom mini makeover—$430
If you’ve long wanted the elegance of natural stone in your home, consider a new granite bathroom vanity top, which is a great, affordable way to get it. You can now find granite tops at Lowe’s, Home Depot and other home centers. Prices range from $150 to $450 depending on the size. Complete this bath makeover with a new faucet and mirror, and you’ll still keep the price under $500.
