Home renovation projects are an important part of the “new normal” that we’ve all been hearing about in the year of the pandemic. For example, recent research notes that appliance sales and aesthetic upgrades to both indoor and outdoor kitchens have never been this robust. Why? This is because cooking, dining, and entertaining at home haven’t been this popular since President Franklin Roosevelt offered his “Fireside Chats” during the Great Depression.
Being at home, 24/7, has many homeowners noticing things about their residence that need upgrading. This includes projects that are relatively simple, such as fixing that upstairs closet door, to new floors for the family room, to fire features, and grills for the patio.
Logan Moss, of Acme Brick has a background in construction and notes, “Homeowners have been stuck in their residences for long periods of time over this quarantine and they have been looking at all the things they want to change. They are making the decision that if they have to “social distance” at home in the future they want a space they can enjoy.”
Some of these projects require professionals who are trained and licensed to safely complete more complicated tasks. However, with the innovative products from companies like Acme Brick, Tile & Stone, many homeowners are opting to go the “DIY” route.
Do you have a DIY project on your list? Contact the building experts at Acme Brick for valuable tips and, for more complicated tasks, help you locate contractors in your area.
The Three Most Popular Home DIY Projects
When it comes to do-it-yourself projects, experts have found that some upgrades are more popular than others. Why? Since a home is one of the biggest investments a family can make, thinking about the return-on-investment of specific upgrades is an important consideration. Some upgrades offer a greater ROI than others.
1. Flooring
“One area that is extremely popular now is flooring, Moss notes. “Whether it comes in the form of natural hardwood or the extremely durable and long-lasting synthetic products such as our Luxury Vinyl Plank, upgrading flooring is a very smart investment. Plus, the technology has greatly improved and with a few skills and tools, the homeowner can install these products. This saves money and further enhances the ROI on this upgrade. From an aesthetic standpoint, the impact of a new floor changes the entire look and feel of a room.
2. Bathrooms and Kitchens
“Making improvements in the kitchen and bathrooms are also an excellent way to update a home. The ROI on improving these rooms is also greater as they tend to add the most value for the resale of the home. Acme Brick Tile & Stone has a huge selection of tile for both bathrooms and kitchens and the thinBRIK products are excellent for accent walls and kitchen backsplashes. If there is currently brick in these rooms, painting this brick can help create a completely different feel for these rooms.”
3. Outdoor Entertainment Space
The “largest room of the home” - the outside entertainment area- has also become a very popular DIY destination. Moss notes, “Outdoor living has taken off! If people are going to be confined to their homes, they want to at least spend some of that time outside. Acme Brick Tile & Stone has many great products that are relatively easy to install for this area with the help from a local professional, including
- Iron doors
- thinBRIK
- Grills
- Outdoor furniture
- Patio heaters
- Outdoor fireplaces
- Other fire features
DIY Mistakes to Avoid
There is a very good reason professionals get paid to complete home renovation projects. Because they are trained and often licensed to work on such major upgrades that involve plumbing or electrical, in most cases, they know the pitfalls of the jobs and can avoid them. There is one challenge that is often overlooked by do-it-yourselfers: building codes.
“It is very important for anyone who is opting to complete any type of home improvement project to research the building code in their area,” Moss said. “I have seen many people who complete a project and then (perhaps years later) get ready to sell a house and learn that it was not done to code. This can cost a lot of money in the long term.
“Another common DIY mistake involves not researching a project before you start. I have seen many homeowners who have tried to complete an upgrade without realizing everything that is involved in the preparation of the project and its cost.
“There are plenty of videos on YouTube that show how to do almost any home improvement project. However, if there is any knowledge gap and the resources are available, I always recommend that customers hire a professional contractor. Our Acme associates can often suggest well-respected tradesmen in an area.
“While most people are capable of laying flooring in an open space or putting up drywall, if the project involves gas, electricity or plumbing, I’m calling a professional and I have a background in construction!”
Completing DIY home renovation projects can be personally rewarding and save money for homeowners. Remember with the products and expertise available for Acme Brick Tile & Stone, you’re not home alone! Click here for more information.