Every homeowner knows that a home is both expensive and takes hard work. On average, homeowners spend between 1 and 3 percent of their home’s value on repairs and improvement. Certainly, it is possible to reduce costs, so it makes sense to review some great ideas for doing just that.

Make nail holes along the rim of the paint can! The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. Use a small nail to puncture several holes into this rim, allowing paint to drain from the channel back into the can.

The next time you think about home improvement, think about adding solar panels onto your house. While the upfront cost may be large, you may find it to be a wise investment in comparison to the rising costs of electricity. This will help you save on monthly electricity bills, because you will mostly be using energy you stored. It is the natural, planet-friendly way to power your home.

Organize your garage using some clear boxes made of plastic and arranging your items by type and use. Label these boxes for a professional look. These boxes can really help you organize your garage. In addition, it helps to keep bugs and rodents out.

To keep cooled or heated air from escaping around windows and door, purchase some weather stripping. Draft excluders slide beneath the door to prevent hot air inside from leaking out during the winter, as well as keeping warm air in the summer. Find sealant strips that go around the door frames. You can usually get them at hardware stores.

Install exhaust fans in all of your bathrooms, your laundry room and above any cooking surfaces. Proper venting of moist air lowers the humidity of the room, reducing the chance of developing a mold or mildew problem. Not only does it do that, it also doesn’t allow condensation to become trapped within walls and that keeps them from rotting.

Make some room on your tables and nightstands; buy a lamp that sits on the floor. Floor lamps can be moved to your desired location, while a table lamp uses table space. Make sure the lamp you choose fits your decor and tastes.

Whether you are painting one room, or all of them, take the time to determine the amount of paint you will need. Do not guess how much the job is going to cost as you could be way off. Do your research and find out how much paint you’ll need.

Before starting a home improvement project that involves a bathroom or the kitchen, make sure that the water has been turned off. It may seem obvious, but homeowners often forget this step and end up with water damage that requires even more renovation.

If you need to repair areas of a home where heavy furniture is placed, perform the repairs before you move in. Smaller projects like updating bathrooms, finishing basement areas, and changing the color of the paint can be done a little at a time after you have already moved in.

It’s important to drain your hot water heaters bi-yearly. When maintained well, your water heater runs better and lasts longer. This is a simple project since you just need to find the drain valve and turn it similar to a spigot.

Decide whether or not you should disable your burglar alarm when you put your house up for sale. An alarm might be essential if your home is not in a good area.

When planning home renovations, use the first portion of the year for planning, as you will likely have considerably less money during this time due to the holiday season. The reason is the best time for developing a budget is because the holidays have just passed and you will be less likely to overspend.

Old toothbrushes work great for cleaning. Anywhere you need to get into small corners and grooves, old toothbrushes are the right tool for the job. Old toothbrushes are also free! Never throw away an old toothbrush when it has plenty of life left. Use that money on something different.

After reading the tips for home improvement discussed in this article, you can rest assured that your next trip to the large home improvement stores won’t break the bank! By saving money while making your home improvements, your home can still provide enjoyment while you save some money.