As Spring rolls around our minds tend to wander and we begin to think about remodelling projects or fixes around our home.  With today’s economy it is hard for most of us to even consider a full remodel of any room in our home, but there are a number of different ways to update a room and on any budget.  The most remodelled room in any home is the kitchen so below are some ideas that won’t necessarily break the bank.
“On a Dime”:

• New faucets can be a moderately inexpensive spruce-up.  If bling is what you are looking for, think about a pricier polished chrome or polished black nickel finish.
• New knobs, pulls, and hinges can make a big difference on your cabinets.You could also repaint or refinish your cabinets if the color is more of the issue.
• Consider adding a small island if you have extra floor space. It can provide an extra work area and/or storage space. You can find these preassembled at many retailers or DIY plans on the internet.

“With a Few Dollars”:

• Looking for more cabinet space?  Installing slide-out shelves can make the space more easily accessible thus making it feel like you have brand new cabinets and a lot more space.
• Granite and fabricated stone are the most popular looks for countertops.  To save money, consider using granite tile.

“Whatever It Takes”:

• New cabinets: Stay away from what’s fashionable!  It’s best to stick with classic cabinetry with a stained or painted surface that will still be in style 10 years down the road.
• New stainless-steel appliances are a big ticket item.  And a nice range hood is like an art piece these days and can become a focal point of a kitchen

Kitchen Updates on Any Budget

As Spring rolls around our minds tend to wander and we begin to think about remodeling projects or fixes around our home. With today’s economy it is hard for most of us to even consider a full remodel of any room in our home, but there are a number of different ways to update a room and on any budget. The most remodeled room in any home is the kitchen so below are some ideas that won’t necessarily break the bank.

“On a Dime”:

• New faucets can be a moderately inexpensive spruce-up.
• If bling is what you are looking for, think about a pricier polished chrome or polished black nickel finish.
• New knobs, pulls, and hinges can make a big difference on your cabinets.
• You could also repaint or refinish your cabinets if the color is more of the issue.
• Consider adding a small island if you have extra floor space. It can provide an extra work area and/or storage space. You can find these preassembled at many retailers or DIY plans on the internet.

“With a Few Dollars”:

• Looking for more cabinet space? Installing slide-out shelves can make the space more easily accessible thus making it feel like you have brand new cabinets and a lot more space.
• Granite and fabricated stone are the most popular looks for countertops. To save money, consider using granite tile.
• New cabinets: Stay away from what’s fashionable! It’s best to stick with classic cabinetry with a stained or painted surface that will still be in style 10 years down the road.

New stainless-steel appliances are a big ticket item. And a nice range hood is like an art piece these days and can become a focal point of a kitchen.

Helpful Tips

With Spring, comes SPRING cleaning. You don’t have to buy a number of special chemical-filled cleaners to use for cleaning in your home. Below are a few everyday items that can do the trick.

• Lemonade Kool-Aid: Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher buy running an empty cycle with Lemonade Kool-Aid.
• Lint Roller: The lint roller is the perfect cleaning agent for your lamp shade; just roll it up and down the shade to remove any dust build-up.
• Lemon: Remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the solid surface, scrub, and then let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Baking Soda: Polish your silver. Wash the items, and then place them on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot.  Add a baking soda solution (1/4 c. Soda, few tsp. salt, 1 qt. boiling water) to cover for a few seconds.
• Car Wax: Polish your faucets, sinks, tile, and shower doors with Turtle Wax to add a protective barrier against water and soap buildup.
• Newspaper: Place a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container, seal it, and let it sit overnight to absorb food smells.

Home Maintenance

Spring fever has arrived! Warmer weather and longer daylight hours, reminds us it’s time for spring home maintenance. It is not recommended to delay or ignore regular home maintenance. Keeping your house well maintained can affect the overall value of your home. Here are some standard maintenance suggestions:

• Check cement for cracks. Temperature changes can implement cracks. Simple cement caulk can mend smaller cracks.
• Use sealants to protect decks, porches, railings and fences from the blistering sun and heat. This also improves their appearance.
• Clear outdoor drains of debris.
• Inspect roof for wear and tear.

• Evaluate insulation within your home and replace if necessary.
• Install ceiling fans to circulate cooler air and help reduce AC costs.
• Service AC unit – Coolant levels should be checked.
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer.
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Change batteries in smoke detectors.
• Clean lights and glass fixtures, especially on outdoor lights. Keeping these clean will ensure optimum light output.

Getting cabin fever this winter?  We’re all waiting for spring to come to

Chicago.  While waiting, why not start planning your home improvements so your house can be in tip-top shape when spring arrives.  Here are a few tips on what you can do to get your house ready for spring:

·       Clean and repair any damaged window or door screens·       Re-caulk windows to prevent air leaks·       Check for peeling paint, or any problem spots, on exterior of house·       Clean and seal your deck·       Plan your garden and landscapingAfter making a to-do list for spring, it’s a good time to think about what bigger home improvement projects you’d like to take on.  Want to remodel the bathroom finally? Looking to install a deck? Andy OnCall can help with all your spring projects including: ·        Bathroom remodeling·        Interior and exterior painting·        Installation of a closet system·        Kitchen remodeling·        Deck repairs·        Fixing up patios Let Andy OnCall chase away your winter blues and bring some sunshine into your home.  Whether you want a whole new look for spring or just some extra help fixing things up, Andy OnCall has you covered.  So start planning today and give us a call at 847-379-1823, or visit us online at: www.getandy.com

Andy OnCall Chicago and

Andy OnCall Chicago and