Giving your home a fresh new look doesn’t mean you have to tear down walls and start from scratch. If you’re on a budget,you can transform a space inexpensively and add value with a few tips and tricks. Paint is the best bang for your buck whenit comes to updating a room. Go neutral or bold depending on the space. Choose glossy paint for bathroom and kitchenwalls, and paint cupboards and cabinets. Install new lighting to emphasize areas of your home. Scour flea markets and inexpensive stores for area rugs, lamps, coffee tables and accessories. Add crown molding or trim to ceilings and replace door handles and pulls with new hardware. Be creative with your existing furniture by moving it around to different rooms and rearranging it. By being resourceful, you can breathe new life into a room for very little money.

Design on a Nickel and Dime.

Remodel to Improve YourHome and Increase Its Value.Let Your Remodel Pay You Back!According to REALTOR®Magazine, major remodeling projects return around 65–70 percent* of the cost at resale, depending on the market. The best places to invest your money are on siding, kitchen and master bathroom projects. On average, installing vinyl siding yields an 80 percent return on investment (ROI), with kitchen and bathroom remodeling close behind at a 75 percent return. Improvements don’t have to be extensive; however, new appliances, knocking down a wall to add square footage and even regular home maintenance and repairs add value. Unless you are remodeling for enjoyment only, pools, satellite dishes, sunroom additions (56 percent ROI) or remodeling your home office (54 percent ROI) do more to enhance your lifestyle than return a strong payback.* ROI returns may vary by region.

Don’t Neglect the Outside.Creating curb appeal not only makes a home more attractive to its owners, it getspotential buyers to stop and take a look. Think of all the ways you can improve the

area surrounding your home to make it moreinviting. Lawns, gardens, decks, patios,porches, fences, paths and water features—the list is nearly endless. Aside from landscaping, adding things like lighting, tables, chairs or a grill turns the outdoorsinto an extension of your home.

DIY vs. DIFM.(Do It Yourself or Do It For Me)To avoid the high cost of hiring professionalsfor home improvements, you may be temptedto take on home remodeling jobs yourself.

Before you begin any design undertaking, ask yourself a few important questions:

• How much free time am I willing to devote to this project?

• What skill level is required? • What tools/supplies will I need? • Will I need additional help?

Keep in mind that expenses are nearly always more than originally anticipated, and jobs that appear to be straightforwardmay require additional work. Also note thatif a job requires a permit or inspection, it isusually better left to the professionals. Thatincludes electrical work, plumbing jobs, roofwork or other dangerous projects.

The decision to DIY should be basedon how much free time you have andyour skill level.

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Here are some ideas for modest remodeling/redecorating projects:• Color – Whether you decide to add a fresh coat of paint or use vibrant

dishware, vases and floor mats to add splashes of color, adding new hues is the quickest way to liven up a kitchen.

• Cabinet updates – You can give your cabinetry a new look by swapping outdated or worn handles with stylish new hardware. Painting or installing adhesive laminates provides quick resurfacing solutions.

Begin by asking others for referrals. Check with your real estate agent, friendsand family members to see who they have successfully worked with in the past.

Get at least three written estimates and compare bids before committing to acontractor. Examine each bid carefully and be wary of making your hiring decision based solely on the lowest estimate.

Once you’ve determined which contractor you’d like to hire, do a little research.Check the contractor’s history with your local Chamber of Commerce orBetter Business Bureau. Ask for references from previous customers and callto determine their satisfaction with the job. Be sure the contractor has all thenecessary permits, licenses and especially insurance.

Examine the contract to make sure it states exactly what work will be done, how change orders will be handled and the expectedtime of completion. Be sure the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the work is complete and is responsible for any damage. Have a guarantee that the materials to be used meet your specifications.

Once the work is completed, inspect the job thoroughly. Don’t make your final payment until you are satisfied with the final result and the job site has been cleaned, if that is implicit in your contract.

Hiring a ContractorIf you decide that your remodeling project is too difficult to completeon your own, you will need to hire a contractor. To protect your bestinterests, follow this checklist when hiring a contractor:

Upgrade Your Kitchen on a DimeRemodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report lists a minor kitchen remodel as the interior project with the best ROI. A major kitchen remodelcan be a big production with serious inconveniences and logistical problems.On the other hand, a minor kitchen update can be easy, inexpensive and verycost-effective.

• Appliances – Modern kitchen appliances are more handsome than ever. You don’t need to replace all your appliances with a matching ensemble—the addition of a new countertop microwave or toaster can make a big difference. New energy-efficient models will even pay for themselves down the road.

• Countertop or wall accessories – A hanging pot rack or coffee mug rack offers form and function bykeeping itemsorganized and creating interesting visual elements.