Home improvement ideas if you quarantined at home by coronavirus

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Use your idle time if you are quarantined at home or your holiday is cancelled 

Thousands of people are being sent home for 14 says of self isolation because of coronavirus or covid-19. Even more have suddenly had their holiday plans thrown into disarray due to flight cancellations, or because they decided not to travel because of the risks.

What will you do if you expectantly have to spend time at home?

For many this time can be frustrating, and they'll fret about the situation. It's easy to become depressed, even get upset with the rest of the family, who are probably in a similar situation.

But some of us will revel in the luxury of having an enforced time away from work. A chance to spend time with our family. Time to catch up on some of the things we have been meaning to do, but were too busy to get around to.
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​So here are a few tips to make use of your time away from work.  

Home improvement ideas

• Tidy your cupboard and house. Sort through your stuff and toss the junk and things you don't use.
• Sort through the garage and shed. Maybe install extra racks for your tools.
• Tidy the garden.
• Do maintenance around the house. Fix those loose bolts, doors that don't close properly, stuff that's been irritating you but you haven't fixed it.
• Maybe paint a few rooms. You might not be able to get to the store, but perhaps you can get the store to deliver materials you need, or even ask you neighbours to buy them for you.
• Add some extra storage - additional shelves, hooks, and even cupboards.
• If you have the right skills and have access to the materials you need, then you could undertake bigger tasks, such as laying new tiles, fitting new skirting, installing new door handles and locks, improving the outdoor areas with new paving, barbecue, decking or pergolas, perhaps even building a new garden shed.

You could enlist the help of your family and make it a team effort. After all they'll probably be as bored as you.

Of course be careful not to tackle projects that are too large for you, or that you don't have the skills for. You don't want to return to work leaving an unfinished project at home which you might not be able to complete for months and months.

Plan your next home renovation, or new house construction

Thinking about renovating or remodelling your home? Maybe you want to build a new house? Well why not spend the time searching the internet for ideas. Decorating ideas. Architectural concepts. Design ideas. Types of tap-ware, toilets, baths, light fittings, floor finishes, door and cupboard handles, kitchen appliances, tiles, and more. File items you like into a review folder.

Read home renovation books or house design and construction books for tips and ideas. (My books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses'. Volume 1 deals with hiring contractors, managing contractors and finishing your home. Volume 2 will help select your property and design your dream home. Both books contain valuable advice for home makeovers and renovations.)

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Take the time to review your finances to see how much you can spend. Prepare a budget.

Discuss ideas with your partner.

Do rough sketch layouts of what you're thinking.

​If you are going to employ contractors start investigating them by visiting their websites. List questions you should ask prospective contractors.
​You could even make contact with some builders. If they're sitting at home they will be more than willing to help you out with some rough price estimates.
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When the country returns to normal you will have lots of information available so you can get your new project going.

Don’t waste your quarantine time by:

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1. Fretting about your situation.
2. Fighting with the family.
3. Searching news stories for good or bad news.
4. Worrying about the stock market.
5. Dragging out tasks to fill the day.
6. Pestering work colleagues with emails about little things.
7. Watching mindless TV that you’re not really interested in.
8. Pestering your partner or children because you’re bored, even though they aren’t.
9. Doing on-line shopping for things you don’t need.
10. Lying around doing nothing.
11. Spending the day snacking on sweets, chocolates and crisps, or consuming too much alcohol.
12. Imagining virus symptoms or other health problems.

​Importantly don’t break your quarantine. Don’t put others at risk if you’re infected. Don’t risk catching the virus from others, which could extend your quarantine further.

Conclusion - use your time wisely

We’re usually all flat-out busy at work most of the year, with barely time to think about ourselves or our families. If you’re forced to stay out of work for a few weeks then make the most of the opportunity. Spend time with the family. Fix your house up. Do stuff you’ve been meaning to do for years. Enjoy your break. Before you know it you’ll be back at work with little time for yourself or your family.

What will you do with your time when you’re quarantined? Are you currently in lock-down – what are you doing with your time?

​For further information on getting your workplace ready for the virus read this advice from the World Health Organisation.
For information on self isolation visit

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​Want to learn more about renovating and building houses?

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​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)

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