The last two months were really busy. Between preparing for the holidays, hosting get-togethers, and visiting friends and relatives, you probably didn't have a lot of time to think about home improvement projects.
Now that the holidays are over, you may be tempted just to hibernate until spring, but tackling some long-overdue updates during the winter will save you time and money.
The Benefits
Summer, with its long, sunny days and warm temperatures is usually the best season to work on your home, but the winter months come with some built-in benefits of their own:
- Availability—most contractors have fewer jobs during the winter, so you may be able to secure an appointment without waiting for them to finish other projects.
- Reduced Pricing—once again, you may be able to take advantage of discounted or special pricing during the slower winter months. Many contractors will offer incentives for booking jobs during the colder months.
- Pass the Time—you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment as you check off those projects one-by-one and before you know it, spring will be here.
- No Conflicts—there are fewer distractions during the winter months. You won't need to cut the lawn, work on landscaping, or worry about those warm-weather activities to pull you away from your home improvement projects.
The Popular Improvements
Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms are usually the most popular post-holiday projects. These spaces were probably the most used as you entertained during the holidays and you may have thought about all the ways you could make them better. Even if you're not ready to invite guests now, any upgrades you do now will enhance the convenience, use, beauty, and value of your home. Kitchen and bathroom improvements will provide the highest return on investment when you sell your home also..
Kitchen Projects
- Replace the faucet—there are a large selection of finishes, styles, and configurations for kitchen faucets today. Match your faucet color with your cabinet hardware and light fixtures. Add one with a high neck for easy filling of your biggest pots. Put in a smart faucet that works with your voice or a light touch to save energy and money. Contact a plumber for a fast, easy installation.
- Replace the countertops—there are a variety of solid surface and other products on the market today. Consider replacing your worn-out counters with trending products like granite, quartz, Corian, or high-resolution laminate that mimic the look of natural products. Most solid surface choices will require special fabrication/cutting tools and skilled installation specialists.
- Replace the cabinet hardware—your kitchen update can go to the next level by replacing outdated cabinet drawer pulls and knobs. There are thousands of choices available online (often in bulk) with any finish, color, design, and style imaginable. You can handle this on your own but make sure to measure the space between the holes so the new hardware will line up with your current set-up. This might be a great project for a handyman to work on along with a list of other to-do list items you just haven’t had time to do. Bundle and save by signing up for a Puls’ 2- or 3-hour handyman service. Get all the little projects done at once and get a 90-day guarantee on all handyman services too.
- Add a backsplash—warm up your space with a new kitchen backsplash. Use ceramic, porcelain, glass, or stone tiles for the easiest installation. You can use wood or stainless steel for a unique look.
- Replace appliances—was your oven struggling to cook your turkey to perfection or your refrigerator warmer than it should be? Maybe it's time for an appliance upgrade. Stores often run appliance sales (sometimes on multiple purchases) during the slower winter months. New Energy Star-rated appliances will provide substantial savings on utility bills and new features/configurations will make daily life easier. Contact an appliance specialist to install your new machines quickly and efficiently. While they're at your home, have them provide a check-up on your older appliances to make sure they're running at peak performance.
Bathroom Projects
- Replace the vanity—home improvement centers offer vanity/sink combos that make changing your outdated unit a quick job. Choose from painted or stained finishes. Use a traditional design or a trendy dresser style. Sinks aren't your typical built-in model anymore. Look into some of the beautiful vessel styles for a fresh design that will provide some much-needed smiles.
- Update the light fixtures—with less daylight available, winter is the perfect time to add some new fixtures. Energy-efficient LED bulbs will be the best replacement for your outdated incandescent bulbs. Hire a handyman or electrician to update old lights with new, energy-efficient models to lower your utility bill and provide a fresh look in your old room.
- Update the faucet—you can't replace the sink without the faucet. You'll find a large selection of styles and finishes like never before. You may be able to handle the work yourself if you're a little handy but a plumber will be able to offer peace-of-mind that nothing will leak.
Other Winter Projects
- Install a programmable thermostat—this is a must-do winter project to efficiently regulate your heating and cooling needs. Intuitive models with different programming options allow you to operate the unit remotely with your Smartphone. Nest Labs report that homeowners can save up to 12-percent on heating and 15-percent on cooling by upgrading to their thermostats.
- Paint Interior walls—there's no better feeling than seeing a fresh coat of paint and winter is a great time of year to do this. Try some bold color choices on one accent wall or try your hand at faux finishing. Find instructional classes at a home improvement center or hire a painter to do the job for you. Winter months are usually better for scheduling options without delays too. Don’t forget, a Puls professional handyman can get this job done quickly and provide a 90-day guarantee on all services.
- Replace flooring—one of the most popular home improvement projects, new flooring options can transform your room into a thing of beauty. Choose from natural hardwood, laminates, vinyl plank, linoleum, porcelain or ceramic tile, natural stone, or carpeting. Again, flooring suppliers and installers generally offer incentives for doing this work during slower winter months.
- Install a Smart Home System—think about how nice it would be to add a security camera system, smart doorbell, or even a smart speaker system to your home. Enhance your entertainment, security, and overall peace-of-mind to every part of your home. Contact a professional Smart Home specialist to connect all your devices.
Puls—Your One-stop Home Upgrade Specialist
Don't let the winter doldrums get you down, let Puls help you get some of those home improvement projects done. We've got skilled technicians ready to do everything from installing new kitchen appliances, setting up your Smart Home components, upgrade your bathroom faucet, paint your interior walls, and more.
We offer convenient online appointment scheduling so the work is done on your timetable. All our technicians are fully vetted for your protection and our peace-of-mind warranty guarantees our work is done right the first time. Check out the Puls’ handyman services. You’ve probably got a long list of projects just waiting to be completed. Sign up for a 2- or 3-hour handyman package to save time, money, and get everything done at once.
It's time to get started on those winter projects now so everything is done before the first robin appears. Call or click today to schedule an appointment.
