Managing Home Maintenance Costs

Many consumers hire carpenters or handymen to install french doors for them when they could actually do the work themselves. It is actually quite easy if you take your time, follow the steps outlined below and perhaps watch a few YouTube videos showing some of the visual details on how to install french doors into an existing doorway. This post assumes that you already have doors installed that you are replacing. The existing doors are used as a template and once you finished with them can be sold to recover some of your cost. New doors come in a variety of sizes, with primer paint already applied. Once they are installed you can apply a final coat of paint on them to finish them off.

How to Install French Doors

You will need the following tools and materials.

• Shims
• Electric drill
• Philips drill attachement
• Drill bit to drill holes for door handles
• Chisel
• Rubber Mallet
• Pencil
• Square
• Table to place doors on to make your job easier

The detailed step by step process is as follows:

• Place shims under the existing door to hold it in place
• Remove door handle
• Place the new door on a table or some support structure
• Unscrew hinges on the existing door
• Remove the door and place it on top of the new door
• Make sure that you match the bottoms of both doors
• Line up the door to make sure that the old door is perfectly aligned with the new door.
• Use the square to mark the hinge cut-outs that you need to make
• Trace the hole you need to cut for the door handle
• Remove the old door and begin drilling out the door handle with an appropriate sized drill bit
• Stand the door on its side and chisel out the hinge locations using the rubber mallet and chisel
• Take your time to be careful not splitting the door
• Install the new door using the shims to support it at the correct height
• Attach the hinges and test to make sure that the door operates properly and closes properly
• The adjustment might be needed to ensure that it properly fits with the other door
• Install the new door hardware to ensure that it fits with the other door

Repeat the process to install the other door. Then paint the doors, once you are satisfied with the installation. Remove the door handles before painting. Use masking tape to cover the door hinges to avoid getting paint on them. Most doors come with one coat of door primer applied.

For more remodeling ideas that can save you money, click here

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This website is all about helping homeowners save money. We tend to focus on do-it-yourself items around the home that can be accomplished by the homeowner. We have also covered saving money heating your home, cooling your home, and even reducing gasoline consumption. One area we have to tackle is home insurance. Can you answer the question, what does my home insurance cover? Most people make assumptions. They then receive a rude shock when they find out they are not covered or only partially covered for a damage claim.

Check your home insurance coverage right now and confirm what coverage you actually have. Many insurance plans offer reduced fees, but they also may cover less than you think they did or should. For example, are you covered for the following types of claims?

• Damage caused by animals e.g. raccoons in the attic
• Wind damage
• Damage from hail
• Sewer backup
• Water seepage through the roof
• Cracked foundations

A significant item that affected the writer personally was damage from water leakage through the roof. My insurance company paid for the damage the water caused. However, they did not cover the damage to the roof or remove the ice dam. We were on our own for that. We had to have the ice dam removed to prevent future leaks as well.

What does My Home Insurance Cover?

If you have any doubt call your home insurance company today. Review all of the potential major claim areas and make an informed decision regarding which add-on coverage you need to purchase or continue taking the risk of not being covered.

Damage from animals entering your attic may also not be covered. Roof repairs, animal prevention, damage to the insulation, or worse are among the claims you might make, however you may not be covered for any of it. My own insurance does not cover this particular area and they do not offer an add-on for this particular claim.

While it might cost you a few more dollars each month to have added coverage, the savings could be in the thousands of dollars. For many people on a tight budget, it can be a difficult decision. Evaluate the risk of the event occurring, the cost of the insurance coverage, and the potential damage that may be caused. Then make an informed decision.

Many people will decide to continue to assume the risk. For example, in many areas earthquake insurance is just too expensive. They decide to absorb the risk themselves and know they will have to pay for rebuilding themselves if this particular threat were to materialize.

For other posts about home insurance ideas and claims, click here.