The holiday season can easily be every homeowner’s dream come true and nightmare simultaneously. It’s the time of cozy get-togethers and is the perfect moment for you to show off your home to your loved ones.

However, it can be equally stressful and anxiety-inducing if you aren’t prepared. If you’ve let your home fall into a state of neglect, it can be challenging to have it ready for the holiday season. It can seem like there are a dozen different things to fix and repair, and putting together a cohesive list can be challenging. But once you streamline the process and narrow down your options, getting your home ready just in time for the holiday season is entirely possible.

If you’re having a tough time, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you tackle every issue you may face with home maintenance. If you’re interested in learning more, keep reading below.

1.    Declutter

When developing a home maintenance checklist for the holiday season, you may start thinking of the big things, such as renovations or redecorating. While these things can undoubtedly spruce up your home, they can be pointless if you have a ton of clutter lying around. But getting rid of clutter is no easy task.

Whether you have small knick-knacks here and there or a ton of old furniture, it can be hard to figure out where to put all these things. Selling or throwing things away isn’t always the best option. Instead, renting a storage unit can help you easily sort your things.

Storage units are well-designed, safe facilities where you can store just about anything for as long as you like. If you aren’t ready to sell or give away items cluttering up your space, a storage unit in your region can help store away your belongings safely.

If you’re in the West Valley area, you might worry about the blazing hot temperatures wearing away at your belongings. However, all storage units are temperature controlled, making them ideal for storage no matter the weather. It’s best to search and check out “storage units west valley” since they’re equipped with cameras, fingerprint sensors, and other features that make them extremely safe.

So, before you embark on your next home improvement project, store away all your clutter in a storage unit.

2.    Get your gutters and drainage system cleaned

Checking up on your drainage system every once in a while is imperative if you want to maintain your home’s condition. It’s easily one of the most overlooked factors of home maintenance and can cost you quite a pretty penny if you’re unprepared. Even the most well-designed drainage system can become clogged with leaves and other debris with time, and proper, professional cleaning is important to keep your pipes in good shape.

If you neglect to inspect your drainage system, the rainy season can cause many issues. You may see overflowing gutters, leaky pipes, and an increase in your home’s humidity. Not only can all these factors be costly and annoying to deal with, but they can also be dangerous. Leaky pipes and overflowing gutters can cause your home to become contaminated fast and can lead to the development of mold and other dangerous bacteria.

Once your home is infected, the cleanup process can be lengthy and costly. To keep your home prepped for the holiday season and beyond, check in on your drainage system at least bi-annually to keep any mishaps at bay.

3.    Clean up methodically

If you’re into hosting, you’ll know how hectic it can get when you have family members staying over and a home that still needs to be cleaned. When guests come over, you want your home to look its best. However, doing so can be challenging if you don’t know how to clean it methodically. Deep cleaning can seem like a huge undertaking, but when you work smart, you won’t have to exert yourself as hard.

For starters, putting together a comprehensive checklist can help. It’s always better to start at least a month in advance, so you don’t have to rush in the final few days. You can start with areas that need the most work, such as store rooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen.

Cleaning up the fridge and kitchen appliances can take a lot of work, and a thorough deep clean can prepare you to cook up a feast for the holiday season. Additionally, you can go from room to room, tidying up messy cupboards, making space for guests, and redecorating so that your home looks perfect.

4.    Redo your deck

When you’re redoing your home for the holidays, your efforts might primarily be focused on the indoors. But if you ignore the outdoors, your home can become dull and drab no matter how much effort you put into sprucing up the inside. So, if you want to be ready for the holiday season, spend as much time and resources outdoors as you do indoors. There can be several tasks to figure out when you’re working outdoors.

For starters, you can begin cleaning up your lawn. Cleaning up your hedges, trimming overgrown trees, and adding new plants are excellent ways to make your lawn tidier. Additionally, adding some Astro-turf can make your lawn seem fresher if you have patchy grass.

Once you’re done with the greenery, get started on redoing your deck. Adding a new lick of paint can freshen things up immensely. Moreover, adding outdoor furniture and décor can make your exterior come alive.

5.    Inspect your roofing

A worn-out, leaky roof is generally problematic, especially when you have guests over. Inspecting your roofing is a step you can’t ignore, especially with the holiday season looming around the corner. When inspecting your roof, you may encounter leaks, holes, missing shingles, and more.

You might also have to check your insulation and ensure it’s in good shape before colder weather arrives.

Minor touchups can be easy to complete on your own, but for bigger projects, you may need to call in a professional. Fixing your roofing can help keep any leaks, dust, and bacteria at bay and can help you weatherproof your home too.

Conclusion

The holiday season can be a joy if you follow this checklist and prep your home beforehand. We recommend starting a month in advance so you can take your time making sure everything is the way you want before guests start coming in. With this checklist, you can ensure your home is cozy and welcoming for you and your loved ones.

Owning a house is a dream of every person, and purchasing one may be an exciting new adventure. With so many properties available on the market and many aspects to consider, choosing the right property can get confusing. Home-buying involves checking several factors, including price, location, facilities, and neighborhood.

A house should meet your present and future demands and make your life simpler and more enjoyable. While the idea of a perfect home may differ for different people, certain aspects of a home make it the best pick among hundreds of properties available in the city you live in—time to explore these twelve surefire tips to pick the house of your dreams.

1. Try to Find Your Perfect Living Space

The definition of perfect is dynamic for each individual. While some may prefer a single-story house, others want to dedicate the whole floor to a bedroom. Some may be obsessed with traditional interior designs; others might like sleek and contemporary designs. The perfect pick depends on each individual’s lifestyle, preferences, and dislikes. 

What do you envision for your perfect home? Do you see a single-family home or condo? Do you prefer a touch of class or a contemporary high-end look? Make a list of features you may want. Narrowing down your choice will help you find your ideal home!

2. Thoroughly Examine Interior and Exterior

If you get a chance to visit a house from the inside, the best thing to do is a thorough home inspection. Examine the interior and exterior of the house comprehensively to check for pest infestation, leakage, plumbing issues, and electrical hazards. You can also seek professional help for a detailed examination of the house. A professional may point out numerous problems in the house that we may not notice.

A pest infestation can become a headache in no time. Although plumbing issues usually require minor fixes, some plumbing issues like leakage inside the walls or near the electric wire pipes require major repair and are also life-threatening.

Check areas in the house for mold as it is a root cause of many respiratory problems and skin diseases. Ensure that the house is completely insulated. Insulation regulates internal temperatures, reduces heating and cooling costs, and improves comfort. Sometimes, minor masonry issues can aggravate many serious issues. For example, a slightly titled or cracked chimney may soon need a chimney replacement which is a major refurbishment project.

3. Look for a South-Facing Home

A south-facing home is an ideal placement for any house due to the number of benefits it offers. In the winter, south-facing windows allow sunlight to enter and convert to free heat, also called solar gain. Sunlight helps you beat the winter blues and keep the natural heat from the windows to help regulate room temperature. While the world continues to suffer from the energy crisis, south-facing homes can benefit from solar energy as they provide an optimal position to install solar panels. Keep tall plants out of your windows during winter to get optimal sunlight and heat. Use natural light during the day to save on electricity expenses and give your home a spacious look.

4. Prefer a House with Outdoor Living Spaces

Being outside is not only fun but also beneficial to one’s health. Research shows that spending time outside reduces stress and cortisol levels – a hormone that leads to feeling weary and sluggish. Outdoor living elevates the look of your house and adds value to your property. Outdoor living spaces, such as patios and decks, are a major hit among most US residents. People enjoy cooking in outdoor kitchens and bar-b-que grills to relish summer food and swimming in the pool to beat the heat.

5. Ergonomic Interior Design

Ergonomic designs look for added comfort and superior designs that offer more functionality. The hottest ergonomic design trends are framed, frameless shower enclosures, handle-less cabinetry with push feature, door handles with levers instead of knobs, automatic garage doors, and much more.

6. Education Facilities

Education is one of the essential aspects both for yourself and your children. Your kids are growing up, and you will soon be looking out for the best school in town. Instead of the wait-and-watch game, the best thing to do is look for education facilities before choosing a house. Search for all educational facilities, including local school systems and higher education institutions, will help in years to come.

7. Check Neighborhood

Take a drive about the neighborhood to get a sense of the overall vibe. A great neighbor is clean, the people are friendly, and you generally feel the community is worth being part of. It could even be worth asking your future neighbors what they think of the neighborhood. Make a list of advantages and negatives to help you stay focused on your quest.

8. Distance from Workplace

Distance from your workplace is a major factor in choosing a house. Of course, you don’t want to spend much of your day driving long distances or getting stuck on jam-packed roads. If your workplace is in the city center, you may run short of choices, and housing may be more expensive. However, you can save big on fuel costs and get to spend more time with family and friends at home.

9. Availability of Public Transport

Public transport availability is another major aspect in choosing the right place to live. Having a house near the main metropolitan transport is a big advantage. While you save up some bucks from gas expenses, you can readily avail the facility without waiting for long hours.

10. Health Facilities

Purchasing a house means a long-term residence. Many people spend the rest of their lives in the same house. Health issues require immediate attention, and your area must have a health facility nearby. Drive around your neighborhood and spot health facilities nearby.

11. Living Expenditure

When choosing the perfect home for your family, you need to consider the prices of necessities like groceries, gas, and electricity. Some areas or cities are more expensive than others. Choose an area with reasonable living expenditures that you can easily afford.

12. Entertainment Opportunities

Your family life is incomplete without moments of fun, laughter, and delight. It is something you cherish for the days to come. You and your family are relocating to a new place you may be unfamiliar with. Researching family activities is an excellent approach to determine whether a house you have shortlisted is a suitable match for you or your family to become familiar with your new community. Google all the fun and adventure areas nearby and see how easy it will be to commute to the tourist spots.

Final Thoughts

While the home-buying process might be time-consuming, the pay-off is a place you call home for the rest of your life. 

If you want to find a perfect home that defines your lifestyle and fits your needs follow these easy tips. Narrow down your area search and list your priorities. Once you find a house you like, get it thoroughly inspected by a professional and investigate the neighborhood. If all the items from this list tickle your fancy, you have found the perfect place.

There’s no denying that a well-maintained front and back garden adds more charm to a home. Everyone loves seeing colorful flowers when they look out of their bedroom window. While most homeowners spend little time and money to make their garden more welcoming, the ones who do, realize the many benefits of landscaping. A beautiful garden can significantly enhance the ambiance of your living space and increase its value.

You can place your bet on landscaping companies that can transform your lawn in no time. However, finding a reliable landscape contractor is no less than a challenge, especially if you live in Sacramento, California, or its surrounding communities. The competition is ripe, and with so many options to choose from, you can easily fall prey to a scam. So, to ensure your money doesn’t go to waste, here are some tips to help you find a reliable landscape contractor to spruce up your home’s exterior.

Do some research

Before you call upon a landscaping company, it is always wise to do some research. Most reputable landscape contractors maintain a strong online presence on social media and business websites. So, it is ideal that you skim through the internet to explore local landscaping solutions available in your area.

For example, residents in the capital city of California State can Google ‘landscaper Sacramento CA‘ to see a list of landscape contractors that operate in the area. Go through their business websites and social media profiles to learn about their offered services and customer reviews.

Ideally, look for landscape contractors that promise various services and have positive feedback from previous clients. You can also ask your friends for recommendations. This way, you will ensure your peace of mind while preventing your money from going to waste.

Know what you are looking for

Sometimes, even if you find a reputable landscape contractor, you’re unable to convince them about what you are looking for. Some homeowners happily allocate a budget for landscaping but do not know which landscape contractor is worth a shot. Eventually, they choose the wrong services, and all their invested money goes down the drain.

Ideally, you should picture the outlook you wish to achieve for your home’s exterior before finalizing a deal. Let the contractor know what vegetation you want in your garden and how the contractor should design the space. Likewise, try to get a perspective from your landscape contractor and see what they have to say. Since they are the ones on the job, they know how to make your garden beautiful and welcoming.

It would be wise to list all the landscaping ideas you have for your home. Later, you can compare the list with the services offered by your potential landscape contractor. If they match, it is a go. Otherwise, explore other options that promise the required services and expertise.

Read public reviews

Website reviews can be particularly enlightening if you want to know more about a landscape contractor. Public forums have many reviews regarding businesses, their services, and past clients’ feedback. They are also an authentic source to uncover hidden details that contractors might not mention on their websites.

So, before you choose a landscape contractor, search them up on websites such as Angie’s list. These websites showcase honest feedback from past clients and their experience with a specific contractor. Consequently, it will help you decide which landscape contractor to choose for good results.

You can also contact your neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues to check if they came across a reliable landscape contractor. They might also disclose a few contractors that you should stay away from. So, it is a win-win for you.

Take notes of the contractor’s personality characteristics

Landscaping is an art, which can be an extension of one’s personality. Therefore, evaluating skills may not be enough when shortlisting a contractor.

Your landscape contractor must have excellent communication skills because if they can’t convey their artistic vision, you’re most likely not going forward with anything. They should be patient and open to all sorts of creative ideas you share with them. Look for creative mines with a keen sense of design. Avoid hiring someone with a temper since this could affect how you communicate and the end result.

Another way to judge your contractor’s working ability is to check if they possess a can-do attitude. Some landscape contractors might refuse if you request something that requires too much effort. However, a reputable contractor would know how to make their clients happy. So, they would probably make things work rather than disappoint you with a negative response.

Conclusion

If you want to ensure your landscaping project is a success, acquiring the services of a reputable landscape contractor is key. Finding the right landscape contractor will ensure your ideas come alive while making your landscaping project a breeze. Be thorough with your research to narrow down your options and work with someone who is skilled, has a keen sense of design, and is friendly.

Renovations aren’t a doddle. They are noisy, expensive, and time-consuming. It is usual for people to divert most of their attention towards finding the right contractor, using the best materials, and making sure progress takes place as per expectations. However, most people fail to realize the amount of work and effort to clean up the post-renovation mess.

It is true that looking at a refurbished house boosts morale and makes cleaning look easy. But you must realize that you aren’t free from all the duties. Instead, you are in for a few more days of sweeping, scrubbing, and mopping.

So if you are stuck in such a mess and have no idea where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we will discuss a few tricks and techniques for cleaning up after a significant renovation.

1.         Outsource

A significant renovation would mean a lot of mess and clutter. You can probably clear up the dump yourself, but it will be time-consuming and can get hectic. In that case, we recommend you outsource cleaning services. Outsourcing cleaning services are cost-effective, responsive, and efficient. Experienced professionals take care of the job, finish quicker than DIY, and do an outstanding job.

However, there are specific elements you must consider when hiring an outsource company. Look for references, offered resources, insurance policies, and service level agreements. If you reside in Georgia, search for “Commercial Cleaning Services Savannah Georgia” to find someone with excellent efficiency and the best cleaning products. Look for someone who offers several diverse cleaning services and might customize a package according to your requirements.

2.         Rent a bin

Renting a bin is an excellent idea to clear up your post-renovation mess. Remember, there are many types of stuff leftover to dispose of, many of which you can’t throw away in your regular bins. There are specific rules about where everything should go, and too much trash can overfill your containers.

However, rental bins offer significantly more storage and are easier to customize. They are recyclable, inexpensive, and allow you to take up as much time as your project requires. Moreover, rental bins and dumpsters are simple to work with since there is no worry about sorting. There are no limitations on quantity, size, or type. In short, you can throw anything you would like to throw away.

3.         Vacuum, vacuum, and vacuum!

There is no better cleaning appliance than a vacuum. Dust settles everywhere, including carpets, curtains, sofas, and other furniture. If left to accumulate, it can make your life miserable. The only way to ensure all dust and dirt cleans out is to vacuum meticulously.

Vacuuming relieves allergies by eliminating pollutants and particles, eliminating dust mites, and purifying air quality. Moreover, vacuums are easy to use, help your carpets and floors last longer, and save time and effort. While vacuuming, ensure to get to each corner of the house since most people neglect these spaces and dust accumulates.

Understanding that every room might have a different requirement for vacuuming is crucial. The power setting will depend on the quality of the carpet, rug, flooring, etc.

4.         Move to wipe

After vacuuming, your immediate task is thoroughly wiping each renovated room and floor. Vacuums might not be able to swipe clean everything. Besides, some surfaces like walls might not be vacuum friendly. In that case, you must move on to wiping. However, be careful when wiping down your walls. Make sure not to wipe over freshly painted walls, or you’ll end up with a disaster.

Carry a similar procedure for shelves, countertops, kitchen cabinets, and other flat and hard surfaces. It would be best to leave your floors for the end. First, disinfect your floors for better hygiene, and then move on to wiping.

5.         Utilize high-pressure water

High-pressure water cleaning is beneficial for outdoor cleanups. High-pressure water improves the floors’ longevity, the property’s resale value, and enhances its appeal. Moreover, high-pressure water saves gallons of water, consumes less time to wipe off dirt, and requires fewer efforts for cleaning. For instance, you can clean your patio floor within minutes with a handy spray wand without scrubbing afterward.

Furthermore, high-pressure water can clean designated areas from meters away. It is constructive considering the several health hazards a regular cleanup brings. Hence, high-pressure water improves hygiene, reduces cleaning agent consumption, and takes a shorter drying time.

Finishing thoughts

Getting rid of toxins, dirt, and other harmful objects must be your top priority. However, you must survey your circumstances carefully. Sometimes, it is prudent to let professionals handle the cleaning due to excessive dirt and mess. DIY will probably be less costly but could be riskier especially if you renovated your place on a massive scale. Always prioritize your health and safety first!

Renovations are exciting but grueling. However, they don’t have to be hectic. All you require is a proper plan and a good enough strategy for execution.

If you like watching home renovation shows like Fixer Upper or Love It or List It, you know that each episode features an amazing transformation of uniquely challenging spaces. The beauty of home remodeling is that you have the ability to take one physical space and open it up to millions of possibilities with the help of some tools and talent. 

However, you don’t always see the full process of a home renovation on TV. You may get a glimpse of the long process and the final beautiful reveal, but a lot of the behind the scenes work is hidden. Behind every home renovation project is a team of hard-working team professionals with many years of experience. They tackle challenges to ensure your home comes out just the way you expect — or even beyond what you could have imagined. 

For expert advice from some of the most famous home improvement professionals, check out this infographic created by The Zebra below. You’ll learn how HGTV stars apply their project philosophies to their business and take on a successful transformation time and time again.