The Examiner

Spring is just around the corner. Before you let the kids run wild and invite neighbors over for a barbecue, make sure your home is safe for the warm weather. Matt Lederer of Chicago-based Mahogany Builders offers ten simple steps that can save you money, keep your family safe and maximize your curb appeal.

The National Association of Realtors and this year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report highlights the importance of a home’s first impression. Lederer's advice, will increase your curb appeal and keep your family safe for the warmer months ahead.

“Spring is the season of rebirth and regeneration. The same is true for your home. Walk across the street and take perspective of your house," advises Lederer. "Plan out your maintenance and seasonal projects now before the distractions of summer take over and you lose momentum. Don’t forget that spring is the time to take advantage of contractor discounts before the season literally heats up.”

1. Examine your Front Door: Winter storms, wear and tear from adults, children and animals, leave front doors looking dingy, straggly and weak. Replacing doors with a more energy efficient door looks great and saves money on heating and air. Don’t want to spend a lot? A simple paint job will do wonders for an old door.

2. Clean Gutters: Gutters are a breeding ground for insects, mold, mildew and algae spores that can enter your attic and allow biological growths to enter your home. Scoop out debris and run water down the gutter with a hose. Invest in a gutter cap or screen. Scrub out the inside with a gutter brush.

3. Check the Basement: Scan everything in the basement. Check the water and sewer pipes for leaks, mold and tearing and pests. Address problems immediately either with a water vacuum, dehumidifier, or new gutter drains. Drain sediment from hot water heaters. Change your furnace filter.

4. Check the Foundation: Inspect the foundation of your home for large cracks and shifts in the blocks. Seal large cracks and gap between the foundation and concrete/earth and directly on the concrete. Any remnant snow should be shoveled to drain away from the home.

5. Clean the Deck: Remove grime, pollen, fungus, and mildew. Scrub the surface with a deck cleanser or this homemade cleaning formula: Add one cup of powdered laundry detergent to a gallon of hot water, and add 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to kill moss or mildew.

6. Exterior Paint: Carefully scrape, prime and paint peeling spots on trim or woodwork. You'll protect wood against Summer's heat and moisture and prevent a more difficult paint job come fall.

7. Reseal: Caulk and other sealants safeguard your home against rain and snow at vulnerable points such as cracks and open joints. Winter can rip caulk apart. Scrape out old caulk using a painter's five-in-one tool. Clean and disinfect with one-part liquid chlorine bleach in three parts warm water.

8. Add some green: The first thing guests notice is color, light and symmetry. When adding new shrubbery keep it symmetrical. Change outdoor light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs. It is amazing what some flowers, light and fresh paint can accomplish.

9. De-Clutter: Mahogany Builders is known for their expertise in finding unique storage solutions in the most unique place. Hardware stores offer a range of affordable shelving solutions. Throw out junk and place keepsakes in labeled shoe boxes, which stack nicely on shelves and under beds.

10. Get Rid of Mold: Examine your ceilings, attic, walls and bathrooms. If you do notice mold, you must identify the source of the mold before repainting. Ask a local contractor for help. When you are ready to repaint use mold growth inhibitor paint made for high moisture areas.

Lederer has been remodeling homes in the Chicago area for the past eight years. Mahogany Builders specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, custom cabinetry, shelving and storage units, fireplaces, lighting among other specialties. Matt is unique from other contractors in that he employs the project management techniques and methodology from his corporate background. In drafting estimates, Lederer conducts a thorough analysis of a project including the effort and cost to complete specific tasks within each trade.