Summer Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off All Year

Several reasons make summer the best time for completing all those home improvement projects you've been dreaming about. Whether you go the DIY route or hire a contractor, you won't be pinned in with the dust and fumes that can come with remodeling. Warm weather gives us more daylight hours, and less rain, slush, and mud to track indoors. Let these top six home improvement ideas be your guide to projects that will pay off all year.

Landscaping Projects

Summer is the best time to evaluate your outdoor landscaping needs.Planting new shrubs and plants summer gives them weeks of warmth in which to become acclimated.New homeowners can plan strategic places to plant trees that will give cooling shade further down the road.

A softer ground in summer makes digging and installing garden lighting, irrigation systems, and garden ponds easier. Consider installing exterior-grade lighting along walkways, driveways, and other landscape features. You will be adding safety and security along with improving curb appeal.

Focus on Windows

If your old windows left you feeling a draft over the winter, summer is the perfect season to invest in new ones. More airtight windows can keep the cold air out in winter, and once the summer dog days hit, energy efficient windows will help you maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature. If selling your home is in the not too distant future, remember that buyers are looking for energy-efficient homes. As a bonus, your state may even give you a green tax credit.

Refinish outdoor surfaces

Summer is the season to give your home exterior, porches, decks, and walkways a high-powered shower with a pressure washer. Scrape away the old paint on decks, rails, fences, and outdoor stairways and re-oil the wood or repaint. This will help protect the wood from the elements all year long.

If your home lacks a deck, now is the time to add one. You'll enjoy your deck on pleasant days and nights. Building a simple, on-grade deck is easier than you think with basic carpentry tools. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, contractors can build one in a day or less.

Painting

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for both the appearance and resale value of your home. For about $2,000, you can boost your average resale return by 90 percent. If hiring a professional, be sure to employ a lead-safe certified contractor. If painting a home built before 1978, get tips from the EPA website.

Painting rooms indoors is fun and easy and gives rooms an instant upgrade with an estimated 112 percent return on your investment. Enlist the help of family members and choose warm, inviting colors.

Kitchen Upgrade

A kitchen makeover is convenient in the summer since you can grill and eat outdoors if necessary. Kitchen remodeling is at the top of the list of projects for a high return on investment, or ROI, and the project need not be extensive. If appliances are in good working condition they don't necessarily need replacing. Instead, consider replacing worn or outdated countertops. Kitchen cabinets can be refinished or painted, or simply adding new knobs is a smart choice. Add a new backsplash, update lighting, or incorporate an island in your kitchen layout.

Check Your Heating System.

Don't let hot days keep you from checking out your heating system periodically. If you find something wrong, you'll have plenty of time to do something about it. Check air filters and clean or replace them. With the power off, check fan blades, motor, and blower shafts to ensure they are clean and lubricated. This simple step saves energy and keeps your system running smoothly.

A crackling fire is probably not on your mind, but summer is a good time to have your chimney checked and swept free of suet buildup. Consider gas logs for fireplace before cold weather rolls around again. They burn clean and require little maintenance. You won't need to worry about the safety of your chimney again.

Minor upgrades can add appeal, comfort, energy efficiency, and value to your home. Add a few home improvements to your list of things to do this summer.

Brett is a 43 year old father of 2 boys. Has a degree in Business Management and enjoys learning about emerging business trends. In his free time he writes about his experience with business and emerging trends.