With the weather so unpredictable and extreme these days, it’s never been more important to to realize which home upgrades you need to make now.
We seem to forget that best time to make improvements around the house is before you need them. Sure, it’s easy to focus on immediate needs and forget about long-term savings. But many upgrades will save you money in the future, such as insulation or a new furnace. Taking care of your roof now will also keep you safe later.
Our experts have compiled of five of the most important home upgrades you need to make sooner rather than later — and they’re not all expensive either! Check them out, and see how they can help your family now and later on down the road.
5 Home Upgrades You Need to Make NOW
#1 Roof Repair
This is a biggie. You might not think about the roof when you’re making home improvements, but it’s actually one of your most important assets! A new, well-installed roof can protect against leaks and save on heating costs in the winter months.
When checking your roof, there are a couple of things to look out for, such as shingles that have curled or lose nails. It would help if you also considered checking your roof after particularly heavy storms. Your gutters and downspouts will probably be weighed down by leaves and other debris from the storm—and this can cause damage to your entire home.
#2 Kitchen Sink and Hardware
If you’re a kitchen lover, then it’s also likely that your sink sees daily use. A new kitchen sink and hardware will add value to your home in the future, but also make washing up a pleasure rather than a chore. The shape of the bowl can vary too, but think about how you’ll be using the sink before choosing anything fancy, like an oval or rounded-edge design.
#3 Attic Insulation
You may not realize it, but your attic insulation, especially if you own an older home, could easily have rotted or been chewed up by vermin.
The good news is that this is a pretty cheap and easy upgrade that will save you money in heating costs. You can get insulation blown into your attic or purchase rolls of fiberglass to install yourself (but make sure it’s the right kind for use with your roof). Either way, this home improvement should definitely be on your list!
An additional bonus tip: Insulate exterior walls if they share an outside wall with another room like a garage or basement. This will keep cold air out during the winter months, which means less time spent warming up rooms before entering them.
#4 Solar power
This is a big one too! But it’s definitely worth the investment. Solar power for homes has been around since the 70s, but advancements in technology have made them more affordable and efficient, especially as government incentives also help to reduce costs.
Resources like www.ChooseSolar.com can help you decide if this home improvement is right for you. The good news is that going green doesn’t always mean spending lots of money upfront: many states offer tax breaks or other financial support depending on where you live.
#5 Plumbing inspection and repair
This is also important. Burst pipes can quickly cause thousands of dollars in damage, and it’s usually mostly covered by your insurance. Checking your plumbing system for potential issues that could lead to problems later on isn’t complicated or expensive either—if you’re handy, you may even be able to make some repairs yourself.
It would be best to inspect the exterior, interior, and any exposed piping around sinks, bathtubs, showers, etc. If you find anything leaking, then contact a plumber immediately so they can fix it before things get worse and more costly.
You never know when a storm could wreck havoc, or when a surprising home inspection could ruin a sale. Check out these 5 home upgrades you need to make now