Michigan winters are brutal. Even this year, which has not been as bad as years in the past, still has you waiting patiently by the door for flowers to push their way through the ground and for the birds to come back from hiding. Now is also a very good time to take a closer look at home improvement projects you want to do in the coming months. Let’s face it – you need to keep things indoors until the weather breaks. As you wait for the yard cleanup and the planting of new flowers, consider these home improvement tasks you can do right now.

Seal Those Windows

Not only does this give you a chance to really feel the difference, but it is easier to pinpoint areas of air leaks around windows during the wintertime when you can feel the cold air seeping into your home. Simply place your hand around the edges of the window to feel for areas that are significantly colder. Then caulk away.

Consider a Major Project

Many contractors have downtime during the winter months but want the work. Many people put off having repairs done during this time of the year because it is just too cold to think about. However, you can redo your kitchen or bathroom now. You just need to be a bit more conscious of keeping the doors and windows closed during the process.

Other Pre-spring Home Improvements

There is much more you can do now:

• Paint a room on a warmer day.
• Get those baseboards cleaned up and repositioned or add some crown molding to your home.
• Climb into the attic to check for water leaks or damage as well as insulation quality. If it is too cold up there, you will know what your needs are.

The good news is home improvement in Michigan continues to add value to your home throughout the year. Now is the perfect time to take a closer look.