The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives some simple steps to help you avoid dangers and help to save your child from environmental hazards around the home. 

*Make sure to keep pesticides and other household chemicals out of the reach of children.  Store these chemicals, including chlorine bleach, in cabinets high above reach of your youngsters.  It would be best to have a locked cabinet for storage of these products.

*Before making plans to use household chemicals, be sure to remove the children from that area of the home, remove toys, clothing, and pets.  Keep your children and pets from the area until the substance has completely dried.  Read the label and follow the recommendations for the length of time that children and pets should be away from the area.   

*Ensure the protection of your children and pets from pesticides and other household chemicals when you are unexpectedly interrupted by a visitors or phone call by tightly closing the container(s) and placing them high above the child’s reach.

*Never transfer chemical products to other containers, especially food or drink containers, as this could be hazardous for children.  Never place insect baits where small children can get to them.

*Always wash the hands of children, bottles, pacifiers and toys often to remove harmful contaminants. 

*A safeguard would be to have your child tested for lead if exposed to an area with lead paint such as buying or renting a home or apartment built before 1978.

*Make sure power tools and other tools used during remodeling projects are kept away from children.  Children are naturally curious and could get seriously injured with these objects.  Never allow children to play with tools.

*Inhaling dust and debris can be dangerous for young children.  During remodeling project requiring sanding make sure that children are not allowed to remain in that area.  It can be as hazardous to children as some chemicals.  Prevent dust from moving to other areas of the home by using plastic to cover doorways and entry to other rooms.

These are only a few ways to ensure that your child will be safely and properly protected during your home improvement efforts.  Always plan ahead when making plans for home improvements and always consider the best interests of your child when making plans.

If you’re doing a project in which you need a power drill, you certainly don’t want to use a Dremel. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new at do it yourself home improvement projects or if you have been at it for a while, it is good to know or good to refresh yourself on what you need.

The “givens”

There are those “givens” when it comes to the right tools to use in your do it yourself home improvement project. You, of course, need your hammer, nails, levels, power drill, drill bits, a screwdriver set, and a saw. These are your basic tools to get your home improvement project done right, but it doesn’t quite stop there.

Here is a rundown of the carpentry tools that you will need:

Tools to measure – This includes a measuring tape, a combination square that will help you determine how square a joint it, and levels to ensure surfaces are level. In the case of levels, you can go with your traditional level or you can choose a laser level, which can help you do other things such as ensure pictures are even on the wall.

The power drill – Everyone who is embarking upon a home improvement adventure needs a power drill. It is a very versatile tool. It is versatile in that it drives screws into place, drills holes, grinds, sands, and can even stir paint if you need to.

Saws – There are many types of saws out there, but your handsaw is a tool that doesn’t need power. They are also rather cheap.

Orbital sander – Powered by an electric motor, you can speed up the sanding process. You’re also able to make those jobs that are difficult to do by hand a lot easier.

Planes – This is very important to a carpenter for a number of reasons. First of all, you have three different planes to choose from. You can straighten the edges of a finished surface, you can take rough surfaces off of the board with a jack plane, and you can even up those irregular marks with a fore plane.

Screwdrivers – You need to have both a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat head. You never know when you’re going to encounter a certain type of screw that requires one or the other.

Make sure that you evaluate what sort of tools is required by your various tasks. For example, you may need to cut slabs of wood. If you do, it may not suffice to have just a handsaw. You may need a power saw to get the job done. If you’re working on your roof, you may need a nail gun because hammering would end up taking you through the next year and then some to get the job done.

Other jobs that may be done

You may encounter other jobs that may need to be done.

Earlier, it was mentioned how a nail gun can be handy for a roofing job. You may find that you need electrical done, so that is going to require you to use a good set of pliers.

For example, you may be installing a new ceiling fan. If you’re going to do this, you will need the pliers to cut the wires properly. You definitely don’t want to be in the situation where you need to cut wires and all you have is a knife. First of all, this is dangerous. Second of all, you may improperly cut the wire.

Here are some other ideas:

Ceiling projects are going to require that you have hammers, drills, screwdrivers, a glue gun, paint brushes, tile, rollers, utility knives, pliers, a stud finder, and wallboard knives. Some of these tools will help you if you’re in a situation in which you must repair plaster.

If you need to repair paneled walls, you’ll need hammers, chisels, a caulk gun, wallboard knives, a putty knife, a framing square, nails, a carpentry knife, a pry bar, and a rubber mallet.

If you want to repaint your kitchen cabinets, all you need is paint, a paint roller, a pad sander, a putty knife, and a screwdriver. You take the doors off of the hinges, paint them, and then put them back on.

As you can see, some jobs require the same basic tools and then there is that occasional tool that sneaks in that isn’t used on other projects. That is where you have to make project-specific purchases. You may have all of the basics, but you may have to purchase that one tool that you don’t have.

Now, you don’t want to try and improvise. There is a reason why a certain job requires a certain tool. It is so the job is done accurately. By improvising through using other tools, you could be compromising the job. But you’re probably already aware of that.

Home improvement success

By having the right tools in your hands, you’re going to encounter home improvement success. This means that your project is going to be done beautifully and it is going to be done right. Furthermore, you’re going to be able to take care of any maintenance projects with your arsenal of tools.

Once you fix things and you have them looking great, it is ideal to ensure that everything stays in tip top shape. With the right tools in your arsenal, you’re going to be able to do just that. This means you’re going to be the talk of your neighborhood in a good way. Don’t be surprised if everyone starts asking you for your secret. In all reality, what you’re doing is not a secret at all.

Discovering out how much a home improvement project is going to cost is just the first step in figuring out whether or not you’ll be able to afford the home improvement. Once you have a general price you need to begin examining the different payment amounts, available interest rates and other terms of the loan to pick the best home improvement loan for you.

Before signing for a home improvement loan or working out any sort of deal on home improvement financing you should definitely work do a little homework to make sure you’re really getting the best deal you can. You can use one of the many online free home improvement loan calculators before you start talking to a lending institution so that you know exactly the type of loan you want.

You will need a couple of pieces of basic information before you use a home improvement loan calculator. You will need to know the type of loan you’re interested in, the type of home, a general assessment of your credit rating and where the home is located. Then you’ll need to know your home improvement project costs and some general information about down payments.

The best part about using a home improvement loan calculator is that most are free and don’t require any sort of commitment. Some home improvement loan calculators are sponsored by banks and lending institutions, but they do charge you require any sort of committment until you actually sign the dotted line.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the specifics when you’re working with a home improvement loan calcutor. These online calculators make changing loan information and looking at different payment scenarios very easy and self-explanatory.

Online home improvement loan calculators can give you a pretty good idea of what you’ll end up paying per month for a large home improvement project as well as the overall total cost of the project. Understand, however, that there may be some small servicing and processing fees associated with any home improvement loan that you may or may not be able to enter into the home improvement loan calculators.

The bottom line: online home improvement loan calculators are a great way to figure out what you’ll pay for different types of home improvement financing products. You should always talk with your home improvement loan lender to get the final numbers, but these online calculators can help you negotiate a much better deal by being more knowledgeable during the home improvement loan application process.

Whether your improvements include simply adding a new addition or new things to your home or renovating it, you can change roofing, flooring, siding, repairing windows, painting, improve the backyard and much more. However, note that the success level of your home improvement project will depend on the person at the head of the project, your home improvement contractor.

Home improvement contractors are in charge of scheduling, coordinating, planning and activating plans to provide the results you want in a timely and efficient manner. You can find good home improvement contractors via online sites or home improvement centers. And selecting good and affordable home improvement contractors is essential.

Some homeowners choose to handle project themselves, however choosing to hire a contractor can be a wise thing to do since they have expertise on how to handle these projects properly.

Note these other points about home improvement contractors:

1) There are numerous jobs like landscaping, tile setting, swimming pool construction and more covered under the blanket of home improvement. However, for each job, there are different kinds of home improvement contractors that you can hire. So do your homework.

2) Home improvement contractors first need to understand the requirements of your house. Then they should try to know the factors involving the home improvement like why home owners need to improve house or garden. Then according to your budget, they should prepare the quotation and only after the approval, can they start working on your home improvement project.

3) When hiring home improvement contractors, one must shortlist a few contractors before hiring the best of them. Consider those home improvement contractors who have been recommended by friends, colleagues or anyone you know well. Hiring a contractor who has been recommended online is also a great option. Check out all references before hiring home improvement contractors. Hiring a contractor who has done similar jobs before is the best option.

4) Professional home improvement contractors should have everything written in their contracts before they begin. And both parties must sign this contract. So read the contract carefully and note that you must get answers for all the questions you have before you sign the contract.

5) Good home improvement contractors generally give out all the information about their suppliers and subcontractors. These are their support systems so homeowners can check with these supplier and subcontractors.

6) Homeowners should get estimates from at least three home improvement contractors. Good home improvement contractors will give homeowners plans and specification in writing.

7) A flat fee for home improvement project is often more cost effective than wasting time and materials. Home improvement contractors should list all details about materials, paint colors by brand, appliance make and model and warranties.

A good home improvement contractor should be able to follow up with your project from start to finish and deliver results in given time period. Home improvement centers, online sites and neighbors are all good places to start your search for home improvement contractors. Homeowners can also refer to yellow pages and other forms of advertisements.

To solve the cash flow problems for home improvement particularly, various banks are offering home improvement loans. Home improvement loans are consumer loans to finance the remodelling or structural renovations of your home. These loans are usually secured loans and may be incurred for longer period of times. You can use the home improvement loans for numerous purposes like adding new rooms, buying new furniture, decorating your garden, whitewashing the walls, constructing a swimming pool and many more purposes.

People are opting for home improvement loans primarily because it is very convenient. The banks offer these loans on very low interest rates. Facility of easily monthly instalment is also there. You can either go for a cheap fixed interest rate or you may gain adjustable interest rate based on your affordability. You can see flexibility in incurring these loans. Due to these reasons people are opting out these loans.

Now, you can remodel your home by taking assistance from banks and enjoy the latest renovations. If you will sell your refurbished home, definitely it will bring more money. Loans taken to cover the repairs and/or renovation of residential property can also be known as a home renovation loan. It should be used to carry out civil work like plumbing or doing up the kitchen or painting of the flat.

Home improvement loans are very popular these days and there may be different categories of home improvement loans. They can be cheap home improvement loans, low-interest home improvement loans, secured home improvement loans, fast home improvement loans, and bad-credit home improvement loans. If a borrower has a bad credit history, he can go for bad credit home improvement loan. This loan is borrowed for a specific purpose, like improving your home. It covers only essential improvements for any extension work. The purpose of a bad credit home improvement loan is somewhat similar to a mortgage extension loan. But the borrower pays more interest in the later case. So it is advisable to get a bad credit home improvement loan rather than a mortgage extension loan.

If you want to do some home improvement which involves removing chunks and adding to it, it’s best in this case to turn to someone with that particular skill. Should this be a new bathroom installation or replacing the old bathroom with fresh ideas, let someone else do the project.

While many suspect all contractors are expensive, this is not always the case. It is possible to look around and find an expensive, yet very experienced contractor. You would pay for labor and materials. The best way to find someone like this is to ask around in your neighborhood, friends and family to see who they would recommend and why. Most people will go with a recommended contractor.

How about if you want to restyle your home? You do not have to do this alone either. There are home interior consultants that are willing to lend their expertise to those who want to refurnish their home to a look they want. It can get quite expensive despite the fact that they are consultants, you have to pay for the materials and the hours they work to tell you what fabrics will work and what others won’t. So on, so forth. This is really not feasible for most people because of the money issue.

Contractors in home improvement are great when looking to get huge modifications done. They should be listed with a governing body, have all the licenses with terms and conditions.

Should it be a small job you are looking to get done, see if a family member or friend can help you. That or you can attempt and do it yourself. You should not have to shell out for the whole thing.

No matter the size of the job, it is important that the person you choose to do your work has got certificates for you to see and the much needed materials that you like before they start on a job. Should they be half way into before you inspect it, you still must pay them for what they did do.

Home improvement can add sparkle to a dull wall color, a new shade to a dreary interior design, or vigor to a lifeless porch. It simply pertains to the method of refurbishing or repairing a home.

In most cases, home improvements are executed by an expert. However, with the cost of commodities nowadays, plus the real service fees of “professional handyman,” many people have opted to work on their home improvements through their own initiative.

No wonder why the so-called “do-it-yourself” jobs have been pretty popular. Through this process, homeowners can enjoy renovating their own homes like professionals. There are shops that provide seminars or workshops regarding their products and the way homeowners can operate them at home.

There are many types of home improvements. Each category can provide optimum modernization to one’s home.

However, home improvement package prices may vary. It is best to identify the right measures to save more on home improvements.

Here are some ways on how to cut back on your home improvement costs:

1. Do your research

Before you start on your home improvement project, it is best to do an extensive research about the matter. Try to find out the current prices of home improvement packages available on the market today. It is also best to identify the different factors that can affect the conditions of each type of home improvements.

2. Scout for the best quotes

If you will be hiring a professional repairperson, it is best to look for the best price quotes on home improvements. In this way, you will be able to anticipate the possible rates and charges, which will enable you to prepare the required amount.

3. Do the math

Before you start buying things that you need for your home improvement, it is best to have everything estimated.

Should you decide to seek the services of a professional repairperson, you will know how much it will take you to improve your home. You can’t easily be fooled by any person because you know exactly the cost of expenses.

Besides, having a rough estimate of your home improvement plans will enable you to control your expenses. You can focus on the areas that need to be prioritized. Once you have set a specific budget on it, you can now consider the other areas without having to spend more than what you can afford.

4. Decide whether you can do it yourself or you should hire a professional

If you want to save more on your home improvements, it is best to decide if you can do the project yourself or you really need to hire a professional.

It is unwise to assume that you can do the job just to trim down your expenses, where in fact, you don’t have the slightest idea how to start the job.

Insisting to do the job yourself will only end up to waste or destruction. It is best to hire a professional if you really want to save on your home improvement.

5. Ask for recommendations

Word of mouth is considered as one of the best advertising strategy in marketing. It is also one of the best ways to ask for some help about the things that you are not familiar with.

For example, if you don’t have any idea about home improvements, it is best to ask your friends, relatives, or even colleagues about home improvements.

They can give you some pointers about home improvements based on their own experience. Tried and tested, their idea about home improvements can really help you make a difference.

6. Find the best contractor

If you wish to save on home improvements through contractors, it is best to hire the best. You can do this by checking on your contractor’s capabilities and certifications. In this way, you can be sure that the services you pay are reliable and efficient.

Try to keep these things in mind to save on your home improvement projects. Keep in mind that home improvements need not be expensive. You can beautify your home without having to go overboard.

How does one gauge the success of a do it yourself home improvement project? What level of expectations should we have upon their completion?

For a good many people, evaluation of a DIY home improvement project is out of the question. There is a general misconception that once a DIY project is done, it’s done. No need to further evaluate whether the project was really a success or not. The need to evaluate the success of a DIY project has two main goals:

? Establish whether the project had been executed according to plan.

? Establish whether you’re improving as compared to previous different projects that you have done before.

The criteria

1. Cost- how does one evaluate the true cost of a DIY project? Start with the basic raw materials. A central blueprint for any DIY project should have a list of the materials for the completion of a project. If the cost of the finished product and the projected cost of the project do not match, then this should be avoided in the future. A disparity of 25% from the actual cost can be acceptable.

The point of a DIY home improvement project is to basically save money. Saving money entails sticking to a budget- which has already been computed to be cheaper than actually hiring or buying finished goods.

In some rare instances, central plans have wrong computations- this is fine, as long as effort is given to remedy this problem in the future.

2. Finished product- whether you’re replacing floor boards or making a rocking chair, one particular consideration would be the finished product itself. Simply put, does it look good?

Of course, do not expect that a hand-made cabinet made with spare wood found in the garage can look as attractive as the ones you buy from a furniture store or a factory outlet. But at least, the finished product should look decent, in combination with other pieces of furniture in your home.

This criterion is especially important when you plan to make large-scale DIY home improvement projects, such as replacing walls or parts of the roof. Once you’re done, indeed, you’re done.

3. Timeframe- one thing should be made clear when we talk about DIY home improvement project timeframe: time does count. This issu can be discounted if you have a lot of free time in your hand: for instance, summer vacation or the like. But if you’re doing the DIY project on weekends, you have to make sure that you’re completing the phases of the project on time.

The reason for this criterion is that time is money when you think about it. If you spend three months creating a cabinet no bigger than a child’s table, then there is definitely something wrong with the project. Laziness should be eliminated in the picture- you can’t simply reason that you’ve been lazy. What would be the function of timeframe then?

Timeframe can vary from project to project. Try your best by sticking to a limited timeframe; indeed this will have its reward in later DIY projects. You can call it GOAL Setting.

Numerous States have now also adopted legislation that limits the use of products that contain harmful fumes or chemicals. The good thing about this is, other than the obvious Green benefits, that many of the products that adhere to the new legislation are also becoming more affordable and are therefore more likely to be found on the shelves in our local hardware and home improvement stores.

See The Light! And Still Save on Energy Bills

It’s no secret that energy prices have soared and if you are planning a home improvement project, one of the simplest ways you can protect the environment – as well as save money – is to use less electricity.

Lighting and major appliances consume the most electricity; simply by switching to fluorescent bulbs, you can save up to 30% a year on your electricity bills. You can save a noticeable amount of money on your lighting costs by painting walls a lighter color, thus distributing light more effortlessly as well as making rooms appear brighter.

Leaking ducts can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy – up to 30%. If you are planning to caulk around ducts, vents and windows be sure to use a product that complies with recent regulations concerning the use of less VOCs in its manufacture. These are volatile organic compounds which contain pollutants that damage the ozone layer, and also contribute to producing smog.

Paint may be your biggest cause of concern if you are planning a home improvement project. Read the small print on the tin to make sure it complies with VOC standards – almost 30 brands are now readily available. Typically, lighter colors of paint tend to contain fewer VOCs.

Tip-Top Countertops

Kitchen countertops are an area where it is possible to help the environment. A recent innovation is a countertop made entirely of recycled paper and water-based resin. You can also install countertops made of paper and cement so that the production involves no quarrying that damages the land.

The bathroom is one of the most important areas where you can help protect the environment. Around 75% of all water used in the home is used by the bathroom shower, toilet and sink combined. Low flow or adjustable showerheads are easy to install and a dual flush toilet – offering a full or half-flush – can potentially lower a typical water bill by up to $75 a year. An estimated 4 trillion gallons of water would be saved every year in the United States if every household installed a dual flush toilet.

The Japanese are well known for their inventive labor-saving and technologically advanced devices. One of their latest innovations may soon be commonplace in the United States – an ingenious combination toilet/bathroom sink – you wash your hands in water that is then used to flush the toilet.

Get Floored! In The Utmost Style of Course

And one of the biggest trends in home improvement? Many people, especially those moving into a new home, consider installing a new floor covering as one of their most important projects. Cork, bamboo and reclaimed wood flooring all have a strong visual appeal as well as helping the environment, and in recent years, these alternative materials for flooring have become popular.

Cork flooring has excellent insulating qualities and can save on energy costs; it also reduces noise and can help keep a home free from allergens. What’s more, it is surprisingly tough as well as being water resistant.

And one other thing to keep in mind if you are “going green” when remodeling or improving your home. Always dispose of old or unwanted materials safely – many materials can be donated for people to reuse, or otherwise recycled. If in doubt, check with your county recycling program.

The next time you are making improvements to your living space be sure to do your bit to protect our precious planet… Go Green!

Don’ Forget The Landscaping
Far too often NJ homeowners completely overlook landscaping, especially if they’re working with a limited budget. But landscaping, just as with exterior paint, is a big draw for many buyers. A well-tended lawn, tasteful plantings, and a weed-free walkway will draw in many potential buyers.

Your Driveway Counts!
Driveways, while not hard to come by in suburbia, are a perfect introduction to your home. Make sure the driveway is cleanly and evenly paved. Replace cracks and, if needed, resurface the blacktop but don’t forget to keep edging neat and trim. Adequate lighting and a clear path from driveway to front door will further increase your property’s value..

The bottom line is that despite the current housing market in New Jersey, it is possible to improve the value of your investment property with some simple and cost effective New Jersey home improvement projects. By ensuring that the exterior of your property is as appealing as the interior, you’ll increase your home’s value in this competitive market.

MyHome is happy to discuss more about ways in which you can improve the value of your investment property or your current home. MyHome is the first full-service renovation specialists in the country and has numerous years of experience in home improvement in New Jersey as well as New York.