gilaxia/iStock
With the double whammy of COVID-19 and winter, we're spending even more time in the house, looking at the same faded colors of peeling and marred paint on the walls. But you don't have to dream about the hot new color you'll paint your living room and wait for months to roll it on.
In fact, here's why you should do it now: The air is drier in the winter, and with the warm temperatures inside, the paint dries faster, says Matt Kunz, president of Five Star Painting, a Neighborly company.
And with the right materials, you don't have to open windows and freeze to avoid the stinky fumes while you paint.
"Low-VOC latex paint is less toxic and has fewer odors so that windows can remain shut," Kunz says.
Call in the pros: If you're comfortable with their COVID-19 safety precautions, you can hire painters and likely get it done faster for around $3.50 per square foot.
Plus, scheduling a painter in winter might be quicker and easier to coordinate, says Kunz. You might even get a discount because winter is traditionally the slow season for painting.
4. Swap Out Your Outdoor Dryer Vent Covers
There are myriad reasons to upgrade these things: Once the temperatures take a nosedive, your old dryer vent can become a toasty nest for mice and an invitation into your house. Snow can pile up on top of old hooded vents and prevent them from opening, raising the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in the house. And vents with flimsy louvers can get clogged and not open and close properly—which can cause lint to back up, creating dryer failure, or worse, a fire hazard.
"Regardless of the season, you want to use a vent cover with the best airflow efficiency, [that] meets code, and is pest/rodent-resistant," says Scott Thomas, senior director of franchise affairs at Dryer Vent Wizard, a Neighborly company.
DIY: This is a job you can absolutely tackle on your own. Just grab your new vent cover and a screwdriver, and follow these steps.
Call in the pros: If the thought of heading outside makes you shiver, a handyman should be able to tackle this for you. Small jobs like this one may cost $60 to $250 for one to two hours of work.
5. Upgrade To A Smart Thermostat
Hermes/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images
Stop us if this sounds familiar: Every winter, you turn down your thermostat when you leave the house or before going to bed. You turn it down on sunny winter days and back up when it's windy and cloudy. Then there are the times you leave for a few days and agonize over whether you remembered to turn the heat down to save money.
This winter, Kevin Busch, vice president of operations at Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly Company, recommends installing a smart programmable thermostat.
"This one change will make your entire home more energy-efficient," says Busch. "Just lowering the heat 8 degrees while you're at work or sleeping can save an average of $180 each year."
DIY: You can tackle this job yourself, but don't forget to turn off the power before you get started. Once you've taken safety precautions, install your new detectors by following these steps from the Home Depot.
Call in the pros: Most electricians can install a thermostat in two hours or less for under $200. But don't forget to factor in the cost of the device itself, which can run you $300 or more.
6. Install Hardwired Smoke Detectors
If you're over going room to room checking the batteries on your smoke detectors, there's no better time than now to upgrade to hardwired versions, says Sean Dion, president at Mr. Electric of Queensbury, a Neighborly company. After all, there are more house fires in winter than any other time of year, according to the American Red Cross.
The added benefit of hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is that they interconnect.
"If any one detector is activated, it triggers the rest of them and notifies everyone in the home," says Dion.
DIY: Install your new hardwired detectors using this handy guide from the Home Depot.
Call in the pros: An electrician can install three hardwired detectors with a new base for around $270.
7. Give Your Portable Generator A Checkup
A portable generator will be a lifesaver if you lose power during a winter storm—now's the time to make sure yours will fire up and generate power when you most need it. (Be sure to avoid these dangerous mistakes if you're firing up a portable generator for the first time.)
DIY: If you haven't already, you'll want to service the engine's oil and add fuel stabilizer for winter storage, recommends Jake Thomas, portable-generator safety expert and director of global service operations at Generac Power Systems.
"You should also remember to start and run the engine for 10 to 15 minutes to circulate the stabilizer," he says.
And think about where you're going to keep the portable generator before finding yourself in crisis mode to restore power. Shield generators from snow and rain, place them at least 25 feet away from doors and windows, and be sure you have a safe, clearable path to access it.
Call in the pros: If your generator is throwing up red flags, call a pro in to repair it right away. It might cost you up to $300, but you'll be grateful you shelled out the dough when you don't have to bundle up during the next ice storm.
Get tips on remodeling and design inspiration by contacting The McLeod Group Network and get started in your search. (971) 208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com.
By: Realtor.com, Lisa Marie Conklin
