We are over a month into social distancing. That means you probably need a project for your idle hands… So those hands don’t end up murdering your family.
If you were looking to make some updates to sell your home this spring/ summer, the bad news is you won’t be able to get any contractors in to make major upgrades. But the good news is that Home Depot, Rona, and Canadian Tire still offer curbside pick-up and delivery. A few of your smaller and more niche stores are offering the same.
This means we all have a great opportunity to take a much-needed break from homeschooling and Tiger King to work on our homes.
We will really be able to take advantage of this once Mother Nature starts to cooperate and maybe give us some nice god damn weather days. But that’s a rant for another day.
Here are 3 valuable home improvements that you can make during the lockdown.
A New Paint Job
A simple paint job can have a huge impact on both the interior and exterior of your home. But the emphasis there is on a “simple” paint job.
If you’re just upgrading and freshening up the current colour, or making a subtle colour change, this is a simple upgrade for the average DIYer. But, if you’re looking for a drastic colour change, you’re going to go through more paint and primer than you may have budgeted for.
It can be maddening to put 3 coats on the wall and still see the old shade of red bleeding through when it dries.
When changing from a dark colour to a light one, you will need to spring for a high-quality primer, and you will need at least 2-3 coats of high-quality paint. Maybe more. Brace yourself emotionally for that.
Also, if you have an intricate paint job in mind (ie. colour changes on the trim, baseboard and ceiling beams) make sure you’re comfortable using the brush to cut around the areas, or watch some YouTube videos to show you how to do it properly.
It’s doable, if you know what you’re doing.
Fixating on Fixtures
Like we said, the little things can add up to make a big difference. You might not need an entire kitchen or bathroom reno to upgrade the look of things.
You would be surprised at what a difference changing the fixtures can have. This means swapping out all of the old taps, lights, knobs and handles.
When you combine all of these things with a fresh paint job or a new backsplash, you can basically create a whole new room.
The Garage Door and Front Door
A few garage door/ sales companies like Dodds Garage Doors are still open during the COVID crisis. They will also let you pick out and buy your door online, which is huge right now.
Your garage door makes up about a third of your home’s front facade, which accounts for a huge part of your curb appeal. This is why the garage door upgrade has one of the highest returns on investment among all home improvements. It’s inexpensive, yet impactful.
You can also spring for an insulated garage door, which means you can now use the garage as more than a garage. An insulated door makes it possible to use this space throughout all four seasons of the year. It can now be a workspace, playroom, or home gym/yoga studio.
Updating your front door can have a similar impact. You can go with a bold new colour, and completely refresh the entrance to the home with some new accent pieces like new lights, a new mailbox, or even new house numbers.
The culmination of all these little things can have a big impact. Trust us.
Hiring a Professional We Trust
Ok, maybe this last one isn’t for everyone. Hinging a new door might be rightfully intimidating. And if even the simple tasks don’t feel more manageable in this pandemic lockdown environment then consider calling/texting Greg Morrill of Hornby Mills Painting and Home Repairs (289) 400-7075. He can do just about anything for you… and loves the small jobs. He’s been a life saver on our listings.
We Are Still Here
Did your plan to buy or sell a home in 2020 change because of the COVID-19 crisis? You probably have a lot of questions about what you should do next. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’re here to help!
