Chicago winters can take a toll on your building or home. As the weather gets warmer and the flowers start to bloom, spring is a perfect time to tackle some home improvement projects and basic home maintenance. The longer days offer more sunlight to allow you to see any potential damage created by the cold, wind and snow of winter. It also gets excited about entertaining inside and out.

Spring is a great time to tackle, or begin, home renovations and maintenance before the busy summer months when we’d rather worry about traveling and enjoying the warm weather.

Here are some ideas for spring home projects and renovations, and some you might not have considered:

1. Landscaping: Spruce up your home's curb appeal by focusing on the landscaping. Removing dead plants and planting new colorful flowers, trimming overgrown bushes, and refreshing mulch or rock beds can make a big difference in the appearance of your home's exterior and add value to your home. Plus, your neighbors will appreciate it!

2. Outdoor repairs: Winter weather can cause damage to your home's exterior, so spring is a good time to assess and repair any damage. Some easy DIY jobs,

• fix loose shingles or bricks

• repair cracks in the driveway or walkway

• inspect your roof and siding for any signs of wear and tear

• check fences for mending or rotting wood or determine whether your iron fence needs to be refinished

• take time to look at your deck for cracks, rotting wood and wood panels that may need to be replaced

• check railings

• make a list of jobs for a professional to handle and be sure to ask these questions before hiring a handyman or contractor

3. Outdoor living spaces: Outdoor living is something that most of us look forward to all winter long. Create an inviting outdoor living space for entertaining guests or relaxing with your family during spring and summer enjoyment. Install a new patio or deck, have a pergola or custom furniture built, add some outdoor furniture, and build a small outdoor kitchen, barbecue, pizza oven or fire pit so everyone can sit around and enjoy a meal.

4. Painting: Spring is an ideal time to freshen up the interior or exterior of your home with a new coat of paint. The weather and temperatures can be just dry enough to help paint and stain dry quicker, whereas summer tends to be more humid taking paint longer to dry. Consider painting the walls, ceilings, or trim to give your home a clean and updated look. Fresh stain can give new life to decks, fences and railings. Here is some inspiration and here are some things to “not do”.

5. Upgrade windows for something more energy efficient: Windows can be a major source of rising energy costs letting cold air and warm air in, as well as out. Replacing windows also allows you to check and replace frames, which may be the culprit.

6. Energy-efficient upgrades: Spring is a great time to focus on energy-efficient upgrades for your home. Consider installing a programmable thermostat, sealing air leaks, adding insulation, or upgrading to energy-efficient windows to save on energy bills and make your home more environmentally friendly.

7. Clean your gutters: If you haven’t touched your gutters since fall, there’s a good chance that they are full of leaves. Left unattended, leaves can clog gutters forcing water to find another route. This can lead to water damage and possible flooding. Simply cleaning your gutters can save you headaches and money. It’s worth a Saturday to clean your gutters.

8. Lighting updates: With longer days and more daylight, consider updating your lighting both inside and outside your home. Outside lighting can give extra warmth to entertaining spaces and allow friends and family to enjoy one another. From romantic outdoor string lights to decorative fixtures, can elevate your patio or deck. Outdoor lighting can also enhance safety and security while also improving the aesthetics of your home. Energy-efficient LED bulbs can help reduce energy costs.

9. Flooring updates: Spring can be a good time to update your flooring. Consider replacing worn-out carpets with hardwood or laminate flooring or refreshing existing wood floors with refinishing or re-staining to give your home a fresh and updated look. Like painting, the weather (minus spring showers) can be better for installation as summer humidity causes wood floors to swell.

10. Service your air conditioner: Spring is a great time to have someone look at your air conditioner. If you wait until the temperatures are warmer, you may be stuck without AC while you wait for a busy service person to come fix it.

Remember to always plan and budget for your home projects and renovations, and consider consulting with professionals, such as contractors or designers, for more complex projects. Planning ahead can save you time, allowing you to enjoy summer without worry.

Need some help? Give is a call.