The art of home improvement is so much more than just putting in a new sink. It takes a great deal of research, a lot of hard work, and careful attention to detail to really make sure that things look nice and that they are safely installed. The tips below can help you improve your home improvement skills.

Minor home improvements have a small but cumulative effect on property value. Setting and achieving modest goals for repair and improvement projects is a good way to keep home value moving upwards. These “little fixes” are cheaper and faster than major renovations and can even make a fun leisure activity for the handy homeowner.

To improve the value of your home, you should think about remodeling it. A home that looks new can be sold for more. Adding new rooms or an outside patio can increase its value. Consider remodeling as a form of investment and make sure you know what most people want, before you start.

Wires and cords can be a safety hazard and unsightly. When doing home improvements, consider adding your home surround sound and networking wires into your attic. If everything is ready to go and wired for these amenities, you will be able to use this as a selling point for your home later.

Painting is a perennial task. Water-based latex paints make for the easiest clean-up. You only need soap and water. But sometimes oil paint is best for a job. It is longer lasting. When cleaning up from oil paint, use cooking oil on your brushes to dissolve the paint. Then you can use soap and water.

If you have a cabinet door that just won’t stay closed, try replacing the cabinet lock. You might want to try using a magnetic cabinet lock, as they generally last longer than wheel based cabinet lock systems. Simply remove the old lock and attach the new lock in the same location. Use wood screws if needed to create new holes.

Once you’ve checked the flapper valve, if the toilet is still running, check the chain. If the length of the chain linking the arm lever to the flapper valve is too short, water will keep running from the tank, as there would be no seal. To remedy this, simply remove the old chain and attach a longer one from a hardware store.

When choosing a contractor, make sure to interview them and check references. There are few things more painful than a home improvement project gone wrong. At best you’ll have to live in a house that makes you unhappy and at worse you could find yourself without a place that’s safe to live in. Perform your due diligence upfront in making your choice so that you won’t be surprised at the results at the end.

The art of home improvement is something that can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, but only those very serious will try to perfect their home like a true professional. Now with more home improvement knowledge to add to your “bag of tricks,” you can easily become a great home improver too.