Thanks to COVID 19 people are going to extremes to find something to do while they are on stay at home orders. While you are muddling around the house looking for something to do have you considered that this may be the perfect time to start that home remodeling project?
Everyone seems to have plenty of free time on their hands, why not take the opportunity and tackle those projects you have had on your to-do list for a while? Some home improvement tips can go a long way in helping you to get stuff done while still respecting the bans that are in place.
Let’s Start With the Basics
There are a lot of businesses that are shuttered, but, your local hardware store is likely not. That means you can get the materials that you need to get those home improvement projects done. You can also find the materials that you need for your remodeling project online and have them delivered right to your door.
You can start out by making a list of all the projects that you need to get done, and whittle away at the list before the COVID 19 shut down is over, all your projects will be done. You can make the best of your time at home with a few maintenance and remodeling projects.
Stay at home does not necessarily mean stay in the house. You can get out in the yard and address those areas that need your attention. For example, you can tackle that shrub trimming, maybe cut the grass, and even reseeding that lawn are all great options.
In other words, one of the best home improvement tips during the COVID 19 shut down is that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make a big difference in your property. Focus on all the little things that need to be done while you have the time to do it.
It can actually be a great time to follow some home improvement tips. You can wind up saving some money by tackling the jobs that you normally would not have time for. Of course, you do want to be sure that you take extra precautions to avoid any type of cuts. Getting medical attention for your sprained ankle will not be a priority for the medical professionals.
Home Improvement Tips For Safety
Before you get started on your project list you do want to be sure that you have the safety equipment nearby to make sure you are protected during the project. Even for simple things like painting your interior for decorating your home, you should wear the proper safety equipment. This is not the time to get a paint chip in the eye when the hospitals, urgent care centers, and even the doctor’s office has potential COVID 19 patients sitting around.
A few extra safety measures can go a long way in making sure that your project goes off without a hitch. Equipment like safety goggles for outdoor work, heavy-duty gloves, boots on your feet, and more will protect you from any injury or at least minimize the injury.
For the big projects like duct fitting or building that patio you always wanted, see if you can get another set of hands from your household to help out. It will make the job easier and make the labor more enjoyable if you have some help.
If you cannot find anyone to lend a hand, pace yourself. You have plenty of time to get the job done, and besides what else is there to do while you have to stay at home. A slow, safe steady pace is a smarter way to get things done.
If you like most people you have a long list of projects that you want to get done around the house. American homeowners will spend about $120 billion dollars in home improvements. About 53% of Americans have done some home improvement over the last year.
Americans love to spend time fixing up their homes. Another survey found that on average homeowners paid about $1000 on a home improvement project. We do love to have a nice place to live.
How do you whittle down your list to be able to prioritize your projects. A few home improvement tips can help you decide how to prioritize your list:
- What is most important to you? Is the fact that the swimming pool maintenance needs to be done keeping you up at night? Then make that number one on your list of things to do. Whatever it is that has been bugging you about your home, move it to the top of the list.
- When you are working around your list, consider your budget. You may not have the money right now to get the hydroseeding done that you want for the backyard, but you can probably afford some grass seed. Review your list and address it from a practical point of view. While you may not be able to get the remodeling done that you want, you can certainly get the work done that you need.
- If your list is overwhelming, try mixing things up. It can be really overwhelming to see all those high dollar remodels that you want to do line up in a row. Mix in some of the less expensive projects and start there for now. For example, home lighting options can be relatively inexpensive and can pack some punch when it comes to updating a space. Focus on what you can do right now and not what you cant get done.
Of course, you should also consider some other things when you are trying to manage your to-do list like what are you physically able to start and complete on your own. Remember, social distancing means not having your buddies over to help build that deck like you normally would.
Also consider what projects you will have time to finish while you are on stay at home orders. You do not want to start a project that will be too big and then wind up having to go back to work and trying to squeeze in finishing it on every weekend.
One of the home improvement tips you do want to follow is to not start many different projects at once. Give each project your undivided attention. Having too many pokers in the fire will surely make you feel overwhelmed and likely will result in very little getting done.
Permits
Another one of the home improvement tips you need to be aware of is if your project requires a building permit or another form of permission, it may not be the right project for right now. Municipal support for things like building permits right now is at best slow.
Most government offices are closed to the public which means that everything that you have to do online. While it may sound convenient to simply fill out the application online, it is only one part of the step. It can be difficult to reach anyone at the building permit office to get support, and it can also mean long wait times before you get the approval.
Before you take on any major addition or modification to your property you also want to be sure that you consult with your HOA if you have one. Sometimes the bylaws for a neighborhood about modifications to your home can be more stringent than what the state requires.
If you are in doubt about any of the rules, put the project to the side while you wait on some clarity, and start something else. It is always best to err on the side of caution. A lot of people have learned the hard way that when it comes to home improvement it is always best to ask for permission instead of forgiveness.
Of course, minor projects do not need anyone’s permission but the big ones like building a garage or a shed, even a deck can require that you have an inspection and you get a permit. Unfortunately, taking the risk of doing it anyway can be very costly.
It is not unheard of for a building inspector to require that an “illegal” structure is removed from the property, even when it is built to code. It largely depends on where you live as to what the penalty will be for building without a permit.
Getting Your Supplies Together
While under a stay at home order, the goal is to stay at home, which means you want to limit the number of times you head back out to the store. These special conditions home improvement tips can help you get the supplies and materials you need while minimizing your risk of being exposed to the virus:
- Make a detailed list of all the materials that you will need for the project down to every nail. Taking a little extra time with your materials list will ensure that you can hit up the store for a one and done material collection. During other times if you forget something it is no big deal you run back out and get it, but during this crisis, you want to seriously limit the number of times you leave the house and enter a public space.
- Order online, pick up in the store. Most of the big box home improvement stores let you order your materials online, then come and pick them up. This can be a smart way to get your materials during the pandemic. Actually it can be a huge time-savings at any time. You place your order, the employee gets your materials together, you drive up and pick them up. It is a great way to shop.
- You can do one better and have the materials delivered. You may have to absorb the cost of a delivery charge but paying that price is far better than paying the price of exposure to COVID 19.
You can get exactly what you need without putting yourself at risk. Take advantage of online shopping and stay at home while your supplies are being gathered.
Home Improvement Tips for Handling Materials During COVID 19
You will have to take a few extra steps to ensure that the materials that you bring into your home are safe. Unbox everything that you can outside and dispose of the boxes. Wear gloves while you are handling material and give everything a quick wipe down.
For example, if you ordered a new shovel to work in the garden, be sure that you wipe down the handle before you touch it with your bare hands. It is a good idea to wear rubber gloves that are disposable as you are handling your new material. Just use an abundance of caution to protect you and your loved ones.
The first step is always the toughest especially in such an uncertain time. You are not alone if you feel like doing nothing, but doing nothing can be the worst choice.
Keep these thoughts in mind:
- Getting outside the house an in the yard will be a great distraction from all the bad news that is constantly reminding us of this terrible situation. Reaching your home improvement goals will give you that pick me up that you need. Of course, for many of us this is a very stressful time and it can be hard to tackle those jobs, but if you do you are going to feel much better.
- Take back some control. You cannot control the virus, or what the government is doing, nor can you control your employment situation but you can control how your yard looks. You can also control what color paint your interior is. Home improvements gives you back some control over your life and will make you feel better.
- The end result is so worth it. Forcing yourself to make the best of your time home will help to improve your mental well being and improve your home.
Start your projects today. Get up and get moving, and the time will pass much faster.