When picking a home improvement project, it’s important to choose one that’s within your budget and abilities.

Let’s face it, just about any home could use a little work here or there. Not all of us have bottomless budgets, however, which makes prioritising our projects important. When deciding on a home improvement project, you should consider the immediate needs of your home, your budget, your ability to do the project if it’s a DIY, and the necessity of the project.

Here’s a checklist of considerations to weigh when picking a home improvement project.

Safety

While some home improvement projects are just nice tweaks that make the home prettier or save you a little in energy costs, some are vital to the safety of you and your guests. Home improvement projects related to safety, such as fixing unstable steps, reflooring a slippery floor, repairing faulty electrical work, etc should take precedence over other projects.

Some safety projects may be related to your home’s original construction. For example, homes built before the mid-90s may have used asbestos as a building product, and as insulation – a known carcinogen.

To be sure, having your home evaluated by a professional to determine if there is any risk areas may be a good idea.

Improving comfort

Making your home comfortable is important. Projects to improve the overall enjoyment of your home, such as installing new carpet, getting a climate control system that heats and cools all rooms evenly, or projects to reduce draughts or mould problems should be high on the priorities list.

Keep your mind on your money

Fixing problems in your home that are costing you money should rank highly on your to-do list. Repairing leaky taps, installing more energy efficient appliances and adding insulation can help save you money.

Be realistic

If you’re considering a DIY project, realistically evaluate your skill before embarking on a project that’s may end up costing you twice – once when you do it, and again when you have to call a professional to fix the mess you’ve created!

Should you need to call in a professional for a job that you haven’t yet mastered, ask if you can provide the labour for him or her. This could reduce the cost of the hire, and also help you to acquire these skills for the future.

There’s no magic formula for deciding which project to tackle first, but this list may go a long way to formulating a realistic home improvement project plan.