Tips For Planning Your Home Improvement Projects

Now that winter is here, people aren’t thinking much about gardening, outdoor renovations, or other projects normally reserved for the spring and summer. Depending on where they live, they won’t be able to work on these projects for several months and they probably have other issues to think about if they are perpetually under six inches of snow during the winter. During the winter, gardening and landscaping is simply out of sight and out of mind, but maybe that shouldn’t always be the case.

One of the most important and time-consuming steps in any home improvement project is the planning process. Not only do you need to know the lay of your own land, you need to know about any issues that may have come up that you need to work around. You need to know something about the rest of your neighborhood and what is and isn’t allowed. If you are planting a garden, you need to plan its layout and know what you are going to plant and when. It’s a lot of work and, depending on the size and complexity of your project; you might want to start planning for it before the spring thaw. Here are just a few things you can do to start planning for your summer projects in the winter.

Performing Inspections

If your summer home improvement project is going to be a simple repaint of your home or deck, you can start inspecting your property in the winter for areas that need some extra work. The paint on your home is more likely to sustain damage in the winter, so looking for areas that have accumulated a lot of snow and ice will give you a good idea of where you need to apply some fresh coats of paint. Keep a close eye on things like garage door frames, rooflines, and your deck. You should also watch for loose boards and areas with bare wood as they can be damaged by a particularly harsh winter. If you see things such as exposed nails, peeling paint, or warped wood, you will have a good idea of where to focus your efforts in the summer.

Getting the Lay of the Land

You obviously shouldn’t start building a deck in the dead of winter, but you can still take a look at your property and decide on possible locations for a new deck. You can get an idea of the evenness of your land in the winter as long as there isn’t too much snow on the ground and you can always take a look and see what areas of your yard and home will get the most sunlight.

Planning for Year-Round Interest

Your planning options will be a little more limited if your renovation plans involve a garden, but there are still a few things you can do during the winter. For starters, you can have plants that will grow and stay green throughout the winter and summer. Take the time to plant some pine trees and evergreen bushes if you want your property to look great even in the snowiest of winters. These plants will of course look just as good in the winter as in the summer.

When it comes to home improvement and outdoor renovation, there is still a lot of work you can get done even during the winter “off season. Planning for these projects takes a lot of time, and it’s always best to get started sooner rather than later. Keep that in mind and don’t let the winter months stop you from having a beautiful home.

This article was provided by Matt Jefferies, construction firm owner and all-around handyman. If you’re looking to replace your windows –a project that can’t wait until spring– Matt recommends Home Exterior Systems.