When you are remodeling your home, your first priority should be safety and health. While you might want a larger family room, you must first make sure that your house is a safe place for your family. What upgrades you decide on should depend on the age of the home as well as personal needs.
People with older homes are more likely to need remodeling due to health and safety concerns. Asbestos and lead are a possibility in any home that was built before 1978, when they were both banned by the US government. People in other countries should check to see when these materials were used in homes. Back then, lead-based paint was used on both the outside and on inside walls. Asbestos was used in a variety of construction materials. If you feel that your home might contain either asbestos or lead based paint, get an inspection or a risk assessment and make the necessary repairs to your home.
For most people, lead and asbestos won't be a problem. But they'll still need to focus on safety first when making home repairs. There are several projects, both large and small, that can make your house a safer place to live. One of the first things you should look at is the electrical systems. These can be upgraded and may need to be grounded. Any electrical wiring which is faulty needs to be replaced. Be sure you are employing a qualified and licensed electrician to do the work with your electrical system.
Not all safety home improvements will be that involved, of course. There are several that you can do yourself without needing to hire any help, although you can choose to if you aren't handy. If you don't have a working carbon monoxide detector or smoke detector, you should get one immediately. You may also want a radon detector for your home, especially if you live in New England, the Midwest, or the Rockies.
Other improvements to your house can make it more accessible for everyone. Handrails can be installed along steps. Doors and hallways can be widened to allow easy wheelchair access. Ramps can be built to your front door. These remodeling projects will make your house more friendly to anyone with limited mobility.
When you are first envisioning remodeling your home, you probably were picturing fun projects rather than functional. While you should consider any safety improvements before you start on other remodels, you can still add a bathroom install new kitchen cabinets. Taking care of any safety concerns first will leave you with peace of mind and the right budget for further repairs.
Carrie has been writing articles for several years. In addition to covering home improvement and self improvement, she and her husband review products. You can see her other sites at [http://www.reviewselectricshavers.net/]reviews electric shavers and [http://reviewselectricshavers.net/norelco-electric-razors.html]Norelco electric razors.
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