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Homeowners Margaret and Daniel Anderson were proud of the work they did to upgrade their basement -- until all the lights went out. Electricians investigated, and found a fire hazard: Some wires were loose, bare and crammed together so tightly that electrical boxes were getting singed. The Andersons ended up paying a handyman service $10,000 to tear out walls and finish the basement.
"It was all wrong," says Ms. Anderson. "They just bailed us out."
The recent do-it-yourself boom has led to a growing number of botched projects as ambitious homeowners get in over their heads. Now, handyman services and some contractors are increasingly going after a long-overlooked segment of the $215 billion home-improvement and repair market: fixing people's snafus.
Remodeling projects for less than $500.00
Four Fall Home Projects
For Less Than $500
Looking for Help?
If you are looking for a trained professional to help you with these projects, MJ can help refer you some prescreened contractors for duct cleaning, flooring and carpet repairs while we handle the siding and exterior portions of the job and other handy work inside the home to save you multiple trip charges a handyman service might otherwise charge:
- Duct Cleaning
- Flooring & Carpet
- Siding & Exterior Home
Many home remodeling projects can be trouble on your checkbook. A bathroom addition or window replacement will carry a huge return on investment, but these projects can also be quite expensive up front. However, there are scores of projects that can improve your home without costing an arm and a leg.
There are dozens of projects that cost less than $500 that are smart home improvements, so getting down to the top four requires a little direction. These are the projects that are best for fall.
1) Hire MJ for Handyman work: Depending on the projects that need to be accomplished, you can hire a MJ for under $500. The best idea is to have a handyman out to identify all the maintenance that could be done: change furnace filter, repair drywall, repair loose doors and windows, clean gutters, put up storm windows, fix leaks, repair tile, and winterize certain things around the house, etc.
Remember that most handyman services have a trip charge, so it is best to have several items taken care of at once. Keeping these projects under $500 is up to you and the demands of your home, not to mention the rate of the particular handyman. However, you can knock off these a few at a time without getting too costly. The main thing you are paying for is the peace of mind of having these projects finished.
2) Duct Cleaning: Basically, a super-powered vacuum is hooked to your intake vent, and everything hiding in your ducts is swept away. This is a process that can cost as little as $100 in some areas of the country, although we have heard that some companies charge close to $1,000. However, the average across all companies and all homes comes in under $500.
This little improvement can have a big impact in that your heating unit will run more efficiently without all the obstructions, and it will also greatly improve the air quality in your home.
3) Driveway Sealing: This is an excellent project that will keep your driveway from early erosion from the brutal sun and the quick freezes. Most companies charge between $.10-$.25 per square foot, while some companies charge between $85-$100 per 1,000 square feet. If you have a large driveway or if yours requires several coats, this might run close to $1,000. However, most homeowners can have this done for far less.
4) Carpet Cleaning: Homeowners often neglect their carpets until they get too many stains to live with. Carpet is supposed to be cleaned every 12-18 months; however most people have them cleaned every 6-8 years. At around $.16-$.20 per square foot, this smart little home improvement will cost far less than $500 for the typical home, while also extending the life of the carpet, removing allergens and creating a better looking home. Better still, some companies will clean the carpets and ducts in one trip to your house. | 
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