The Home Improvement Site

Choose the Right Home Improvement Magazine for the Job

January 19th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Undertaking a home improvement project takes some courage, particularly if you want to do it yourself, and that’s just the first step. Next, you have to pick the right resources – and that can be almost as confusing as deciding which project to do in the first place.

Go to any news stand and you’ll see many rows of home improvement magazines on the shelves. At around $6 a pop, buying an armful of home improvement magazines that you don’t need can put a dent in your remodeling budget. This article will help you decide which home improvement magazine will give you the most bang for your buck.

Make a Plan

First, decide exactly what type of home improvement project you want, and what types of projects match your skill level. Do you want to build a garden pond? How about a new herb garden, a timber deck or just some swimming pool landscaping?

Be Honest About Your Skills

If you’ve never built so much as a bookcase, building a new timber deck complete with spa could easily turn into a money-draining nightmare. By flipping through a home improvement magazine you can get an idea of what you’re capable of and how much it’s likely to cost.

Finally, don’t forget to check with your city’s planning office to find out what permits you’ll need. You’ll usually need to present a detailed plan for any structural change you want to make.

Browse before Buying

There are projects to fit any budget, and this is where picking the right home improvement magazine becomes important. If you have a million dollars to spend, and plan on doing a lot of construction, look at the high-end magazines that typically feature ornate pools and outdoor kitchens on the front cover.

But if you just want to add a border of flowers in coffee cans to the garden you can look at home improvement magazines geared towards beginners. Look for words like “simple” and “starter” on the cover.

You also want to pick a magazine that gives precise step-by-step instructions. Sometimes the more “expert” level home improvement magazines only serve up inspiration in the form of photographs and broad descriptions of what the project entails.

Other Home Improvement Resources

Don’t forget that the resources available to you extend beyond the pages of a home improvement magazine. Your local home improvement shop, community college workshops and websites offer cheap – maybe even free – advice.

Don’t overlook your neighbors, either – take a walk around the neighborhood and note which homes you particularly admire. Take a moment to talk to the owners about their design. A little bit of forethought and research will help turn your home improvement dream into a home improvement reality.