Getting your house in order for 2014

There’s a lot of upkeep owning a home.  If you’ve ignored any much needed repairs, the New Year is a good time to take inventory of what needs attention.

“We decided to redo our kitchen because our house has now gotten to the point where some of the items in it are outdated, but we haven’t out grown it yet, so we decided to make it a little bit nicer while we are still here,” homeowner Jon Weaver said.

There are multiple projects underway at Weaver’s home.

“So far, we have replaced all the appliances to make them stainless steel, we have redone our cabinets and added some crown molding, and we have redone the floors,” Weaver said.

Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks doesn’t want you to be surprised by emergency home repairs this year. That’s why she’s calling on homeowners to take the Angie’s List Pledge to get their houses in order in 2014.

“My goal is not to add more work to everyone’s schedule,” Hicks said. “The key here is to do an assessment. Walk around your house like you are getting ready to buy the house and make a list of the things that need to be fixed. You should be able to do this in an hour or two, but it will save you a lot of time, headache and money down the road.”

Jeff Flora, a handyman, says don’t neglect the little things because they can lead to costly repairs.

“It might be a minor thing,” Flora said. “It might be a major thing, but it’s always a good idea to call somebody that has a little bit of experience, because experience matters, and they can take a look at it ascertain whether it’s going to be a big problem or a small problem.”

Consider how much you have available to spend and start with projects that you can afford. Make sure the money you spend will add value to your home. Just remember not to get too overwhelmed or you’ll never see the project through.