The City of Allen is accepting applications for our Property Improvement Program! This grant provides funding for income-qualified homeowners to make repairs to their homes that meet City code enforcement concerns and/or address safety issues. The maximum grant amount is $5,000 per household.
The application period for the Fall 2019 program opens on April 25, 2019. Please review the attached documents and complete your application.
If you have any questions, please contact the Program Coordinator at 317-472-5800.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Home Improvement, a ratings juggernaut that ran for eight seasons from 1991 to 1999. Tim Allen’s character, Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, hosted a home-improvement TV show with his on-screen sidekick Al Borland (played by Karn). The show took pains to present a portrait of the average American family, and that relatability may be one reason it endured so long.
Both Allen and his on-screen wife, Patricia Richardson, were said to be offered up to $50 million to do a ninth season, but both turned it down. See where the cast of the popular sitcom is now, below.
Home improvement projects are not only a great way to get the job done, but also to add some extra personality to your house. Whether you are an interior designer, contractor, or simply looking to improve your living space, it is important to keep up with the latest trends in home renovation. Fortunately, with the help of home improvement websites, you can find all the guidance, tips, and tricks you need to complete any project.
One of the best home improvement pages is Bob Vila, which offers in-depth tutorials for almost any DIY project. It also provides helpful resources for homeowners such as a cost calculator, which helps people plan their budgets and make cuts where necessary. This page is very user-friendly and offers a lot of value for visitors. The content is logically organized and the graphics are clean and professional.
This website is full of ideas for improving your home, including kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. It has detailed instructions on how to do each task and even offers videos that walk you through the steps of the process. The site also features articles on topics such as landscaping and home maintenance. It is easy to navigate and offers an extensive library of content.
Another great resource for home improvement is Remodelista, which focuses on design and inspiration. The website has a wide variety of design ideas for any room in your home, and even includes advice for decorating and creating a garden. The page is easy to navigate and features a newsletter discussing the latest design trends.
Whether you’re looking to sell or just want your home to look more up-to-date, a few well-chosen DIY projects can go a long way toward boosting your property value. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune or hire a contractor for the job. In fact, new research has found some of the best quick home improvements that can have a major impact in under 34 hours — and they’re all things anyone can do themselves.
For example, a creaky floorboard is one of the top home improvement issues that can annoy homeowners, but it can take just 30 minutes to fix with talcum powder, soapstone, or powdered graphite. Other easy fixes include repainting kitchen cabinets, hanging wallpaper, and refreshing a piece of furniture with paint.
Another great way to make a home more functional and attractive is to add extra storage space. This could be as simple as installing floating shelves, adding bookshelves to a room, or creating a closet under the stairs.
For more significant upgrades, consider replacing windows, which can boost your home’s energy efficiency and help you recoup nearly all of the cost when it comes time to sell. You can also upgrade your outdoor spaces with a little landscaping. Adding a few flower beds or a koi pond might be a bit more expensive than installing a patio or walkway, but it can add curb appeal and help you enjoy your living space even more in the meantime.
Home repairs are an important part of maintaining your property. Whether you’re looking to repair an appliance, paint your living room, or renovate your entire house, you need to find a trustworthy contractor. There are several websites that allow you to check reviews and compare contractors’ rates. In addition, some sites also offer helpful advice on how to choose the best contractor for your project.
If you’re a new homeowner, you may want to start with a home improvement website that has step-by-step instructions. You can find tutorials that walk you through the process of completing any project. These websites can help you assess your abilities, decide if it’s worthwhile to take on the project yourself, or if it’s more cost effective to hire a professional.
You can also find information on government programs that may help with the cost of repairing or making improvements to your home. These programs are often available for Native American and veteran homeowners, and they can make it much easier to afford these home improvements.
Bob Vila
Anyone who’s watched the popular TV show Bob Vila knows that this guy loves his DIY projects. His website is a treasure trove of ideas, from low-cost fun projects to big renovations that will transform your living space. His site is broken down into easy-to-navigate sections like how-to, get ideas, find info, discuss it, and watch tv. It’s also worth checking out This Old House, which publishes a magazine that covers tips and tricks for every room in your house.
Painting and home improvement can be a significant expense, but it’s also one of the least expensive ways to add value to your property. Whether you’re looking to repaint your interior, exterior or both, it can help protect your investment and extend the life of your property.
A fresh coat of paint can revitalize built-ins and give rooms a more modern look. A good interior painting contractor will work to make the job as quick and easy as possible, reducing cleanup time and saving you money.
If you are a homeowner, deciding when to paint can be tricky. You will need to take several factors into account, including the weather, how many rooms you want painted and your schedule. When choosing a painting contractor, consider the company’s experience and track record for finishing projects on budget and on time as well as testimonials from previous clients.
Whether you’re an investor, landlord or just looking to upgrade your home for personal enjoyment, the right paint can help increase the value of your property. However, it’s important to know whether or not a paint project qualifies as a capital improvement in order to properly claim your expenses at tax time.
A capital improvement is any addition, alteration or improvement that increases the value of a non-commercial real estate and extends its useful life. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a painting is considered a capital improvement if it’s part of a larger renovation or remodeling project and can be claimed from your cost basis.
Home remodels can be grueling and expensive, but with careful planning, you can reduce stress and increase the value of your home. Whether you’re looking to up the curb appeal, make your house more energy efficient, or just give it a face lift, there are a variety of projects that can add value without breaking the bank.
The first step is to clearly define your project’s scope. Whether it’s a sketch on a cocktail napkin or full-blown architectural plans, creating a plan of attack helps you stay focused and organized. A well-written plan will also help you set realistic expectations and keep your project from veering off course.
Another aspect of the plan is to honestly asses your skill level. It’s easy to get talked into a project that is beyond your capability, so it’s important to be honest with yourself about your abilities. If you’re not comfortable tearing down walls or working with electricity, hiring a pro is often a smart move.
Finally, it’s a good idea to prioritize your projects and work through them in an order that makes sense for your schedule. Working on a kitchen or bathroom while living in the house can be very stressful, so consider taking time away to complete these projects when you have some free space. If you need to be in the house while working on a project, there are a number of tricks for containing dust and debris.
Many DIYers love shopping for home improvement products online because it lets them compare prices easily and saves them from going to the store. They can even find better deals with online discounts, coupons and referral codes. In addition, it helps them avoid being pushed by salespeople and wading through a crowd. The wide selection also helps them find the best quality at a budget-friendly price.
As people spend more time at home due to COVID lockdown, they’re looking to do fun DYI projects or make bigger renovations. This can include organizing their home, reducing clutter or adding safety features. It’s a great opportunity for retailers to offer these products.
Another important home improvement industry trend is sustainability and eco-friendliness. Consumers want to buy sustainable, ethically sourced home improvement products. Gepard has the solution for this and works with a wide range of manufacturers who meet the highest retail standards.
If you’re a retailer, it’s worth putting your focus on these home improvement products to ensure that your eCommerce business is competitive. For example, you can create content about a new air diffuser that’s been generating lots of searches on Google and reach out to bloggers who might write about it. This will help you get your product in front of a target audience and drive more sales. Also, don’t forget about the importance of quality user-generated content. It makes a huge difference and can boost the conversion rate for your home improvement products.
While major home upgrades can significantly increase your property value, the best projects are usually those that are both practical and budget-friendly. From elevating a piece of old furniture to swapping out antiquated light fixtures, these quick home upgrades can make your house look fresh and modern, all for under $100.
Adding more storage is a sure way to boost your living space, and fortunately, this simple upgrade doesn’t cost a fortune. A few DIY projects (such as mounting open shelves or building under-stair storage) can go a long way toward making your home feel more spacious.
Swapping out dated cabinet hardware like drawer pulls or door knobs is one of the most inexpensive yet big-impact home upgrades you can do. You’ll be able to refresh the look of your entire home for just about $20 to $30, and you can always paint them a new color to suit your style.
The addition of a breakfast bar is another affordable home upgrade that will instantly add kitchen functionality and a touch of sophistication. For a really stylish look, opt for a contrasting bench top and vintage bar stools.
Although a pool may be a great investment for some homeowners, in most cases, pools don’t add value at resale, especially if they are located in areas where it would be impractical or unsafe to maintain one.
If you’re considering installing a swimming pool, do your research to ensure that it will be worth the investment in your specific market. If not, it may be more lucrative to skip the pool and invest in a quality garden instead.
Home improvement projects can save money over time, increase home value and make the experience of living in a house better. While some types of home improvements are simple, others require expert contractors to complete properly. The best local home improvement companies are familiar with the city’s building codes and can easily pull a permit when necessary. The right contractor also knows the most efficient way to accomplish a task, so you can be confident in his or her work.
If you’re looking for a general contractor, the free online tool HomeAdvisor helps match homeowners with reputable local contractors and professionals. The site guides potential clients through a series of questions and then provides quotes from contractors that serve their area. HomeAdvisor prescreens its contractors and owners to ensure licensing and customer satisfaction. It also offers articles and tips to help the homeowner prepare for a project or service, such as preparing for a bathtub membrane recoating.
For a specific type of project, you can find a qualified professional by asking friends and family for recommendations or checking the local listings on social media and Google Search. In the case of a big job, like an addition or a whole-house remodel, many contractors will place a lawn sign in front of the home during construction. You can also find a professional by visiting the website of your city’s building department to see if any contractors have been cited for violations or are on the list of unlicensed builders.
A remodel website is a great way to freshen up your business’ online presence. However, don’t just focus on aesthetics, make sure you are also updating critical elements of the site to increase conversion.
Getting more traffic and having awesome project photos on your website are great, but ultimately you want people to reach out and become your next remodeling client. Your website should be designed with that in mind and include carefully crafted call-to-actions.
If you have a high bounce rate, it is time to look at how your website is performing. This can be a sign of untargeted traffic, poor user experience or just that people aren’t finding what they’re looking for on your site and are frustrated.
Having a responsive website that automatically adjusts to the screen size of the device (desktop, tablet or smartphone) is one of the best things you can do for your home remodeler website. This allows your prospective clients to easily connect with you on a device that is convenient for them and ensures they don’t hit the back button and return to Google.
Home remodeling companies should always have their contact information, email capture form and videos readily available on their websites. Ideally these should be located above the fold, meaning that visitors can see them without scrolling down. Also, be sure your contact info is easy to find on each page and that your website is mobile-friendly.