When it comes to home improvement, there is a fine line between simply improving your property (and its value) and renovating your entire home. If you have a limited budget, try to work out what needs to be done and prioritise from most important to minor details.
Firstly, make sure all the ceiling boards are nailed in properly. Starting from the bottom down is a good idea, so starting with the ceilings and cornices is a good starting point. Make sure the ceilings are washed before painting and check that all the skirting boards are straight and varnished. If you plan on re-painting the entire house, make sure walls are washed and dust-free.
The second part of home improvement is checking all windows and doors. Make sure they are varnished and that all windows and doors can open and close properly. Take a look at the windowsills and if they need a varnish, this is your next step.
Cupboards and tops in bathrooms and kitchens should be checked next. Make sure cupboard doors and drawers open and close without sticking and check that the shower door closes properly too. Tap on tiles to hear if there are any hollow tiles and check for cracks and chipped tiles. Make sure there are no paint splatters on the cupboards and tops. Make sure bathroom taps don’t drip into the cupboard underneath the basin.
Now walk through the entire house with a small electrical appliance – such as a hairdryer – and make sure all plugs work. Make notes of any plugs that are faulty, as you would need an electrician to fix it.
Turn on all taps and make sure that the water is flowing freely and that there are no blocked pipes. When you close all the taps, check that there is no dripping water from any of them. You should also make sure all toilets are in a good working condition and flush easily.
Turn on all the lights and make sure all the lights are in working order. If there is a faulty light, check the bulb first. If the bulb is not faulty, make a not for the electrician to check the wiring of the lights.
Once you have gone through this entire list and corrected everything that is faulty, make sure the floors are cleaned and tiles are not cracked or chipped. If carpets are not clean, have professional carpet-cleaners shampoo the carpets and get rid of stains.
These are just a few simple steps on the way to improving your home and its value. Once you have done all the basic fixing and painting, you can start decorating and modernising your home according to your budget. Remember that when you are selling your house, buyers are not interested if you have all the latest technology and the latest appliances, as they know that these don’t come with the home. They want to know that everything is well maintained and everything works.