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Home & Family Life:
Home Renovations That You Can Do Yourself (Even if you're not a carpenter)

Seventy percent of all homeowners intend to take on some home renovation or improvement within the next two years. Home renovations are great for many reasons. They can help you to save money on energy, upgrade your home, update your home, or take care of problems that have been a nuisance for some time now.

Of course, it's easy to say that we want home renovations done, but when it comes time to face the expenses, there is one major decision to make. Is a professional worth the money, or can you do it yourself? Over half of the people who intend to take on home renovations intend to do them themselves. However, you need to make sure that you have what it takes to do the job right, if it is going to save you the money as you hope.

The following are the most common do-it-yourself projects that you can take on with just a bit of know-how and the right tools:

• Sealing Ductwork - save 10 to 30 percent on energy costs by sealing leaky ductwork. Use aluminum foil tape (never use duct tape as it will degrade with the heat) on all seams.


• Adding Insulation - Beyond a certain thickness, insulation becomes increasingly less cost effective, so instead of insulating in thickness, look into addressing air leakage with a barrier system such as Icynene and you'll end up saving up to 50 percent.


• Painting - paint can do a lot for freshening up your home. Remember that if you're painting over oil paint, you should use a very good quality primer because latex over oil will simply peel.


• Caulking - Though plugging holes on the outside of the home will rarely do too much (except, for example, around doors and windows) as they have been designed for air flow and water drainage, plugging holes inside the home can allow for dramatic energy savings.


• Ceiling Fan Installation - Install a ceiling fan according to the manual. Don't use a dimmer switch to control the fan motor as it is designed for lighting and can create a fire hazard. Control your ceiling fan with the included devices and options. Make sure to turn off the electricity to the connecting wires while you're working!


• Installing or Repairing Sub-Flooring - screw or glue new sub-floors into place to ensure a strong, stable floor. This is a great way to prepare for new hardwood flooring, tiling, and even carpeting (don't forget to get a good under-pad for your carpeting). Don't nail down your sub-flooring as it will eventually crack, buckle, or otherwise damage hardwood or other solid flooring above.

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Your degree approval from Almeda University stays on file indefinitely. You may proceed at any time. However, even though we do not anticipate an increase in fees, keep in mind that any fees quoted are guaranteed for 30 calendar days only. If you respond after this time period, you will be responsible for any additional fees that may be in effect. On a budget?
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