5 Steps You Should Take Before Your Home’s Remodel

If you want to beautify your Florida home, one of the best ways is to remodel it. The following several tips will ensure that your remodel goes smoothly. Here are five steps you should consider before you remodel your home.

Determine Your Remodeling Budget

One of the most critical steps to take before remodeling is determining your budget. Without an adequate budget, your remodel might only get halfway done. Make sure to estimate every possible cost in this budget. This is especially important if you’re planning to sell your home later on. Rules of Renovation cautions that the last thing you want to do is over-rehab your property and later sell it at a loss. For these reasons, it’s essential that you make a smart budget for the renovation and stick to it. 

If you’re in need of funds, then one way you can free up some extra cash for the remodel is by cutting unnecessary expenses. For example, refinancing your home can reduce your monthly payments. If you have a special type of government loan like the VA loan, your refinance might not even need income verification or home appraisal. If needed, you can also take out a small home improvement loan.

Figure Out Exactly What You Are Doing

Once you have your budget in place, you can start figuring out what exactly you want to do with your home. You probably already have an idea of what you want, but actually planning it out is an important step in making your dream a reality. In addition, this will help you figure out a timeline. According to Pierce Design + Build, the type of project will affect how long it takes, and it could range anywhere from a couple days to over a year, depending on the complexity of the work. If you are moving things like plumbing or larger pieces of carpentry, you should plan on at least a few months.

Declutter Your Home

Before remodeling your home, you’ll need to clean it. While this might seem like a daunting task, it’s a great opportunity to declutter your home. Cluttered homes are, all too often, disorganized spaces. Being disorganized has more of a negative impact on your life than you might think. Bluesky at Home reports that being disorganized reduces productivity by 77% and happiness by as much as 40%.

Rent a Large Bin for Trash

Using cleaning to downsize is going to create trash–a lot of it. In most cases, a standard trash bag isn’t going to hold an entire home’s unwanted clutter. You might think about renting a large trash bin. These bins don’t just get rid of trash throughout your house; they’re frequently used during remodeling projects.

Research Storage Units

Now that you’ve gotten rid of what you don’t want, it’s time to find a place to store the items you want to keep. The next step is to find a storage unit company. Storage units allow customers to have a secure place to keep their belongings safe during a home remodel. Fortunately, storage services enable people to rent units for a specified amount of time. In most cases, there will be more than one storage company in your area. Researching storage units and fees helps to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

There are several steps to take before remodeling your home. Preparing for a home remodeling can sometimes feel stressful, but following these steps will help take that stress out of the equation. Whether you’re aiming for a simple redesign, or you want to supply your home with a striking new hue, our team at Jaworski Painting wants to help you live in the home of your dreams.

4 Detectors You Absolutely Need In Your Home

Being able to monitor what’s going on in your home is a good way to keep safe. You don’t always need to invest in expensive cameras, though. Sometimes simple monitors will do the trick. Below are four monitors that every homeowner should install.

1. Smoke Detector

Perhaps the most ubiquitous detector, the humble smoke detector plays a huge role in keeping your house safe. It doesn’t matter where the smoke is coming from — this detector will send out a loud beep to let you know that things aren’t safe. Some smoke detectors are even hooked up to monitoring systems, which will let those in a position to help know if something’s going on in your home.

2. Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is a quick and silent killer. Unfortunately, this odorless gas can’t be detected by humans, and even the warning signs of it being in a home often only come when it is too late. A carbon monoxide detector helps to make sure that CO doesn’t exceed a particular threshold in the air. These monitors are easy to install and run on standard batteries, so there’s no reason to avoid having one in your home.

3. Flood Detector

The flood detector may not be as common as some of the detectors on this list, but flood detectors are key for home automation. The flood detector keeps track of the moisture in your home, alerting you to situations that might potentially provoke a flood. This isn’t a weather device, though — instead, it largely works to keep you apprised of any situations involving your plumbing.

4. Motion Detectors

A good motion detector can be a vital part of a security system. Once you engage your security system, these detectors will spring into action as soon as any motion is detected in the area. Some turn on lights, while others sound a chime. You can even buy motion detectors that will automatically cause the security system to sound an alarm. These motion detectors can let you know when an intruder is trying to break into your home or when a child is up past his or her bedtime.

There are many reasons that one should do upkeep on their home, and these detectors are definitely a necessary upkeep task that falls in line with security and safety. These four detectors can help to keep your home and family safe. Whether you are worried about house fires or plumbing problems, these detectors will help you. If you’re willing to invest in the right monitoring devices, you can get an early warning about many problems that can cause major problems.

Why You Should Buy a Fixer-Upper

When shopping for a home, your first instinct might be to look for a home that is already move-in ready. However, this is not your only option. Instead, you might just want to think about buying a fixer-upper, even if it’s not something that you have considered so far. These are a few reasons why this might just be the best way for you and your family to buy a home.

There are Loans Designed Just for This Purpose

For one thing, if you’re unsure about how you’re going to finance your home purchase, you might be happy to know that there are special loans and mortgages out there that are just for people who are looking to buy fixer-uppers. From hard money loans to a 203(k) home mortgage, you might be surprised by what your options are for borrowing money both to purchase the home and fix it up.

You May Be Able to Buy a Home Sooner

Many people fear that they will never be able to afford a home of their own. If houses are expensive in your area, then buying a home that’s move-in ready might still be a long way away for your family. If you are able to find a great deal on a fixer-upper, however, you might find that home ownership will be achievable for you much sooner. Do keep in mind that if you are going to be doing heavy remodeling, that you won’t be able to move in soon. Big pieces of furniture are definitely going to need to be away from most of the remodeling efforts, but they can’t be left in a garage or sheds. You’ll either need to find a relative or friend to help you out, or get a storage unit. If you do decide to use a storage unit, make sure that it is temperature controlled and can fight away moisture as furniture can be vulnerable to heat, cold, and humid climates.

You Can Get More Home for Your Money

Even if you have the money to buy a home, you might be concerned that you don’t have a big enough budget to buy the home that you actually want. One good thing about buying a fixer-upper is the fact that it can help you get more home for your money. This means that even with a smaller budget, you might be able to afford a bigger home or a home in a nicer neighborhood if you’re willing to put a bit of work into the home that you buy.

You Can Customize Your Home to Suit Your Wants and Needs

Lastly, by fixing up your home yourself, you can customize your new-to-you home to suit your wants and needs. You can pick the flooring, the wall colors and more. It’s a great way to get a custom home without having to pay custom-built prices. In addition to cosmetic features, you also have the option to customize your home with smart home features, like a smart thermostat and security automation.

As you can see, there are a few different reasons why it can be a good idea to buy a fixer-upper. If you have been thinking about buying a home, consider looking at properties that need a little bit of work for these reasons and more. You might just find that it’s the perfect way to buy your dream home.

Different Ways Color Can Be Used To Convey a Home’s Personality

(Featured Image Source: ModernDigsFurniture.com)

Color is one of life’s most sensual pleasures. Many people love the beauty of a long emerald green lawn, a vivid turquoise sky, a dawn filled with hints of violet and deep orange. Many homeowners look for ways to bring colors into their home. Color accomplish many goals. Colors are a great way to bring a lot of personality. It’s easy to paint a room a bright shade of sunny yellow that’s always welcome any day of the year. When it comes to using color, it’s a good idea to think about all areas of the home before starting. Every single room has something special that makes it stand out.

An Entire Home Plan

One way to use color is to create a plan. For example, if you want your home to give a playful and bold impression, you can consider either painting all of the walls a different color or painting all of the walls white so you can accent the room with loud pops of color in the form of decorations. The overall plan should include every space in the home including the bathrooms and the stairways. Each area should have a connection that brings the person to the next space. For example, if you paint all the areas of the different colors, it’s helpful to think about a specific color palette that from a specific part of the color wheel. Using varied shades of green and blue creates an organic whole that makes the entire home feel coherent and pleasing as people go from one room to the next.

Using Color in Some Rooms

Another way to bring color to show off a home’s personality is to use color only in some spaces, or only using an accent wall. For example, the homeowner may decide to paint the dining room a pleasing shade of mellow green to bring attention to the room’s lovely expanse of dark hardwood flooring. A homeowner may also want to call attention to the fireplace in the living room. Using a bold shade of red is one way to bring the viewer’s attention to the mantlepiece as well as any details such as the tiles in front of it.

Neutral Shades

Neutral shades are another popular option for the homeowner who wants to use color as a way to show off their personality and the home’s personality at the same time. Colors from this area of the color wheel such as soft grey, understated beige, subtle white and cream help make any space inviting and relaxing. Shades that call to mind the outdoors make even small rooms feel much bigger. Think about using neutral shades in places where people spend lots of time such as the family room. This is an excellent choice if the home has a single style such as country French. These type of color plan allows details such as antique furnishings stand out better.

Decorating for Given Style

The decor is another way to bring out the home’s personality. Choose each piece with great care. Specific colors and styles go together well. For example, Art Deco pieces look fabulous with colors such as pink and black that were popular during that era. A traditional look works well with color combinations such as green and pink. Think about the entire effect. Start with style element if possible, such as a couch or the room’s large skylight and then work from there.

Creating a Focal Point

A focal point is one of the best ways to convey different moods and impressions. A focal point can be nearly anything including a beautiful rug or the view outside a window. If the room lacks a focal point, it’s possible to create one. Paint the walls in the room white. This will show off the focal point better. Hang a large picture on one wall and surround it with several smaller pictures. Another way to create a focal point is by painting three of the walls a slightly different color. Reserve one wall for a contrasting color. For example, use shades of lavender on most of the room’s walls. Then, take one wall and paint it a dramatic shade of deep lemon yellow. The contrast helps create a sense of fun that makes it easy to show how much the homeowner loves specific colors.

Color is one of the most essential tools in the homeowner’s bag of decorating tricks. Think carefully about which colors are most pleasing. Using them well in the home creates fantastic spaces that are full of terrific personality and wonderfully vivid life.

Four Energy Efficient Home Improvements To Modernize Your Home

If you want to improve the efficiency of your property and modernize it at the same time, you need to ask yourself which upgrades will save money on energy and add value to your home at the same time. Choosing more straightforward upgrades may be the easier route, but sometimes complex ones, such as adding solar panels to produce electricity for your home, can provide advantages that go beyond what you have imagined and pay for themselves in minimal time.

Install an Energy Management Thermostat

Smart thermostats aren’t just for hotels anymore — if your home doesn’t have one, it’s definitely time to get one. Energy management thermostats are virtually a must-have for anyone who lives in a climate with extremes in the summer and winter. This kind of thermostat enhances HVAC efficiency by enabling you to get your climate system to reach optimal temperatures for a minimal cost. It will allow you to turn the temperature down in the winter, and up in the summer when you’re not home, yet have your home at the right temperature when you return. Once the thermostat is configured, it will automatically alter the temperature, according to your setting. Smart thermostats can monitor and respond to fluctuations in room occupancy, which is especially helpful if you have an AirBnB guest room and don’t want to have to manually set the thermostat every time a guest leaves.

Install New Doors and Windows

Although you may not realize it, styles of doors and windows do change slightly over time. More importantly, however, doors and windows have become more efficient at keeping out the cold and heat over the past ten years; newer windows and doors do a much better job at keeping interior temperatures consistent because of the low-E value of glass, as well as better weather stripping and insulation in the products. Homeowners may also be able to get special energy-efficient financing by purchasing such products. If you are a veteran, a VA energy efficiency loan can cover up to $6,000 for green home improvements.

Replace Your Appliances

Refrigerators and stoves are major energy users, along with your washer and dryer. Replacing these high-use appliances will give you more bells and whistles, and make your home more energy efficient at the same time. The same goes for your central air conditioning and heating system. Contemporary units use much less energy, thus paying for themselves in a few years. Because basements are often the most difficult area of the home to heat and cool, you’ll want to focus on improving the airflow in your basement with an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Install Solar Panels

Generating your own electricity has become much more commonplace over the last decade as prices for the solar panels themselves, along with installation, have dropped by a combined 70 percent. In addition to making your own electricity, many local power companies allow you to sell excess electricity to the utility, so you can even make an easy profit on your green, clean investment.

Most of these improvements can be done DIY style with your own two hands and a good YouTube tutorial or two, which will save you some money. If you decide to DIY, though, make sure to wear the appropriate safety equipment (PPE) and be ready to call a professional if anything goes wrong.

How VR Technology is Changing the Home Design Process

Ever since the birth of virtual reality, augmented reality devices are becoming more and more common, with new applications being discovered every day. Other than recreational use in video games and television, there are also shopping and design applications for augmented and virtual reality devices and programs. One of the most exciting applications for this technology is using it for interior design.

With the ease of a simple app, you can rework an entire room of your home without actually buying and placing items in real life. Now, you can play around with new ideas and visualize furniture pieces in your home without actually committing to anything—now that’s exciting. Here’s a look at using tech to redecorate your house.

Augmented and Virtual Reality in Interior Design

Image via https://virtualrealitypop.com/

By utilizing a combination of augmented and virtual reality, you can quickly make alterations to a room—switch up the furniture arrangement, paint colors, and other essential design elements, such as lighting features.

This virtual environment makes it easy to visualize the look of your space, and you can make quick comparisons between different possible designs. Virtual reality programs can be used to allow homeowners to compare different paint colors for the interior walls of their home—helping them to identify the color they like best in their space. Then, before making final purchases, you can play around with the furniture until you find something that suits the room and your sense of style.

Commercial Design Applications of Augmented and Virtual Reality

Image via https://mcwhinney.com/properties/

Augmented reality tools can also be used to show prospective homebuyers how the property could look after they move in. Here, the virtual environment makes it easier for buyers to see themselves living in the space, so they can make informed purchasing decisions moving forward.

These tools can also be used to allow designers to compare different ideas and decide which are better suited to the space in question. These and other applications of virtual reality can be used to significant effect by interior decorators and others in the industry to help bridge the gap between imagination and reality—creating a design that suits the space perfectly.

Image via https://www.premiersurplus.com/

The Bottom Line

As technology continues to improve, more applications of these tools will inevitably be discovered and invented. Whether it’s in the form of interior design apps or sophisticated software for commercial contractors, virtual and augmented reality tools can be used to great effect when it comes time to redecorate and remodel or home.

Instead of having to repaint a room, rearrange furniture, and find new decorative pieces to accent the room, virtual reality tools can save time, money, and frustration by making it possible to do all these things quickly and easily.

While VR technology can help you visualize changes to your home, you’ll still need someone to step in and make these changes in the real world. Ready to take the next steps in the design process? Reach out to us at Jaworski Painting.

Featured image via https://vrvoice.co/interior-design-virtual-reality-today/

5 Tips to Manage Your House Renovation Project Easier

 

Renovation can be an exciting project for any homeowner. But just like any home improvement project, it isn’t always a breath of fresh air. In reality, renovation can be messy, stressful, dusty, and at times, dangerous. If you’ve renovated your home before, you must be familiar with the actual scene: dust all over the place. Wet paint with suffocating smell, paint splatters, handyman tools scattered everywhere, muddy floors – it always looks like there has been a major disaster. Well, don’t lose hope. You can get it done with minimal mess, loss and damage. How? Check out these five helpful tips:

Secure everything first before getting started.

First things first. You want to make sure that the area to be renovated is free from anything that can hinder a smooth and organized workflow. That’s it – free from furniture, appliances, and all other things your workers will not need. You want to keep it bare as much as possible. If there are furniture or appliances that are built-in, the only workaround is to cover them with cloth or tarp. This way, they don’t get soaked in dust or paint splatter, or get scratched or damaged during the job. If you have a vacant room that won’t be affected by the renovation, move all furnishings and other stuff you can’t easily wipe clean in there. This will save you money, effort and lots of time having to clean all these items once the renovation project is done. Seal off work areas. Use plastic sheeting or tarps to separate work areas from where you will be living.

Prepare your cleaning supplies.

Before the project starts, you want to be prepared with all the cleaning tools you will need, from the vacuum cleaner to the scrubbers, cleaning solutions, cloths, rags, plastic sheeting, and more. Don’t forget to stock on sanitizing wipes to easily wipe clean any surfaces, especially your beloved furniture and appliances. Keep the air clean and circulating. Dirty air is a common consequence of most home improvement projects. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen if not fully prevent it. First, consider getting your home renovated during warmer months whenever possible. Summer renovations are ideal because they allow for a more thorough exchange of air within your home as you keep your windows open. Another way to ensure clean air throughout the renovation work is by sealing air vents, at least during the time when actual work is happening. Covering vents helps reduce a buildup of dust that are sure to spread around your home. Also, make use of dehumidifiers or air movers. Unnecessary moisture can lead to growth mold, especially when the renovation requires removing drywall. As this process requires water to remove dust, dehumidifiers will keep the everything dry during the process.

Don’t underestimate the power of vacuum.

The vacuum is one of the most powerful tools you could ever use to keep your home organized  and clean during a renovation work. It’s the most cost-effective way to keep the level of dust down. Vacuum as you see necessary. Don’t wait for the workday to end before you start controlling the dust. You can use a high-powered dust filter for better results. You can contractors if they have one as one of your considerations when selecting the one to hire for your project. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to clean any upholstered furniture, such as mattresses and sofas.

Pick the right contractor.

This is one of the most important. Not only you have to consider the skills of the contractor you are hiring. You should also consider their work ethics and cleanliness. Doesn’t matter whether they are polishing the concrete, or cleaning the air, the contractors should have a cleaning plan in place, and won’t just leave your home with all the dirt scattered around. Professional workers clean as they go and see to it that their tools and equipment are properly organized or arranged
in the worksite before they leave. When selecting a contractor, check to see if a final clean is part of their service. If not, consider hiring someone to do it once the project has been completed.

Some More Tips to Reduce/Prevent Damage

1) Check on and change the air filters in your home. Painters often remove filters before working and forget to put them back on. A missing filter can damage your furnace.
2) Take down and clean light fixtures, as well as the blades of ceiling fans, if you have.
3) Clean the walls, including the molding. If they’re newly painted, dry-dust them.
4) Raise concerns immediately. If you notice any damage during the renovation work, let the contractors know. Renovating a home can be a messy and dangerous undertaking. Surely, you can’t prevent the dust, dirt and chaos, but you can definitely reduce and control them. With advanced planning and the right preparation, you can definitely ensure a smooth, clean and organized renovation project.

Tricks to use when painting a bathroom

Paint is an excellent surface choice for a bathroom. Painting is a great way to add character and charm to any bath. However, while painting is a wonderful option, it can also be quite tricky in bathrooms. Many bathrooms have cramped and close corners that make it hard to fully cover the walls . A bathroom may also host other items in the room that can make it harder to do a professional job. Hard to reach areas in the room such as large mirrors and existing closet racks can be difficult to paint. Fortunately, a few tips and tricks can make this process much easier. Professionals know how to paint a bathroom here are some easy tips to help you follow their lead and get the look you want in your bathroom with far less.

The Start
The first thing to do is remove as much as possible from the bathroom. Take down all pictures. Remove all shower curtains. Place your linens, toiletries and other items in another room. While you may be tempted to put everything in the middle of room, keep in mind that the smaller area of the bathroom makes this inadvisable. You will need to have room to work as you paint.

Toilets
Toilets are a delicate item. They’re made of porcelain. It can be surprisingly hard to remove paint from porcelain and it can be just as difficult and time consuming to move the toilet as a whole. Therefore, you will want to protect the toilet as you work. Place an old blanket around the whole unit and let it fall behind the toilet to completely cover it. Butcher paper is also easy to use and can be placed against the back for a further layer of protection against paint spills.

Use Tape
Tape is your best friend when you’re painting the bathroom. Use tape to protect the other items in the room as you paint. You want to tape all the items that you can’t
remove. This includes the room’s baseboards, to toilet paper holder and your towel rings. Tape lets you get a crisp, professional edge as you paint. It will also protect the surfaces in the room from any accidental drips. However, when placing the tape be sure that the tape line is slightly overlapping the existing paint line as to completely cover any old paint.

Put The Mirror Away

Mirrors are an integral part of any bathroom decor. But a mirror often has a highly detailed frame that can easily be damaged by painting. The best thing to do is remove the mirror before you start to paint. If the mirror is closely attached to the wall, it can be difficult to remove, you may just need to cover over it as you work. Mirrors can also be protected with butcher paper and tape.

The Right Roller
It is a good idea to have all the tools you need for the job on hand before you begin. Don’t overlook the need for rollers in varied sizes. Larger rollers are useful for big areas. However, the smaller rollers will make it easy to get paint in awkward corners and get the polished look you want.
With careful attention to detail, it’s easier than ever to paint your bathroom. You can get a great look in the room with only a few simple tricks.

Caryl Anne Crowne is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Re-Bath.

Easy Fixes to Make an Old House a Dream Home

When you buy an older house, it can cost less money, making it easier to create your own dream home with time. Older houses often have interesting floor plans and features that will help you to create a unique decor. Use these decorating ideas to achieve a beautiful older home with a personality all your own.

Paint Each Room an Interesting Color

Painting walls is an inexpensive way to update a room, and you can use neutral colors or create interesting designs and accent walls. Modern paint stores often have software that allows you to load pictures of your home’s interior, so you can see how a living room or bedroom will look with a particular color of paint. Other painting services can help with the cleaning, inspection, and set up process of painting a room.

 

Replace Old Windows

If your home has old-fashioned windows with single panes, you will want to replace these items with double-pane windows that have vinyl frames. The installation of new windows can change the total appearance of a room, and you can add smaller or larger windows. It can also save you on cooling and heating when you don’t get drafts in older windows. Installing windows is a difficult job, so make sure to hire a technician to complete this home improvement.

 

Use Custom-made Decorations

Rather than buying ready-made decorations for your home, find an artist who will create customized items such as wall hangings or lighting fixtures. Custom-made decor will make your older home the showcase of your neighborhood. Many artisans will help with installation of bigger pieces like doors, carvings, and more. If you commission a truly unique piece, be sure it speaks to you and the history of the house.

 

Recycle!

Find an artist or local craftsman who recycles old furniture. You can use decorative couches, chairs, or benches to bring out the uniqueness of your home. Upcycle older pieces with new upholstery, carvings, or updated hardware. You can make this piece speak to the restored nature of your own house.

 

Replace Old Flooring

It is essential to replace the worn flooring in an older house, so each room has a more attractive appearance. You can use hardwood planks or carpeting, but you can also use brightly colored throw rugs to give a family room or bedroom an interesting ambience.

 

You don’t need to complete all the redecorating projects before you move into an older home. Concentrate on creating beautiful spaces in the rooms you use the most, and when you have more money, you can add new decor to other areas of the home.

How to Clean and Beautify an Older House

When you are moving into an older home, it may have some unusual features, but you can augment these items to create a beautiful building. Some homes only need a fresh coat of paint. Others you must clean thoroughly and renovate to have a safe home to live in. Here are some of the things that you should do to clean and beautify an older home.

 

Clean Every Surface Before You Move In

An older home might have a buildup of debris, so you should clean it thoroughly. Older homes typically have higher ceilings, so cleaning these surfaces will require a technician who can use an elevated platform to reach the drywall or other materials. The same technician can wash the areas of the walls that you can’t reach, including any embellishments such as scrollwork. Cleaning the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home can eliminate allergens that can make you sneeze or cough constantly, and it also beautifies your home. Refinish or rebuild cabinets that match with the schema of the kitchen or workshop.

 

Clean Plumbing Fixtures

When a home is really old, the bathrooms are often a dirty mess, and it is typically easier to remodel it with new floor and wall tiles along with installing modern bathtubs, toilets and sinks. After all the old materials in a bathroom are removed, you can sanitize the surfaces to destroy mold, bacteria and other microbes so that you will have a clean and attractive space for bathing.

 

Remove Debris from Ductwork

The ductwork in a home can have hundreds of pounds of dust, pollen and pet hair that have collected in the devices for many years. If you want to have the best air quality in a home, then removing this debris is essential. You can contact a heating and cooling company that specializes in ductwork cleaning to remove the buildup of dirt, and at the same time, you can have the home’s air conditioner and furnace repaired.

 

Wash a Home’s Windows and Nearby Surfaces

Image Credit: Rockwell Window Wells

The windows in an older home might be filthy on the inside and outside, but you can clean these surfaces on your own, or you can hire a cleaning technician. Older homes often have deep window wells that require a lot of cleaning, but after these surfaces are beautiful, you can add fresh paint so that you can have a beautiful room. You don’t need to use the same type of facade on the window well of a room or basement because it is possible to use other plain colors or designs to create a unique appearance. Decorative window wells can become the focus of a basement or room, so use your imagination to create an attractive space.

 

Take Your Time

It can take several years to completely clean and beautify an older home, so plan to use your free time and extra money for these tasks over several years. Eventually, you will have a home that your family loves despite its age.