Some tips to make home improvements like a professional

Properly planned and executed, home improvement and repair projects can add to the comfort and value of your home. Ignore the phrase "properly planned and executed," however, and it could cost you some big bucks, hassles and headaches.

In tough economic times, it's certainly tempting to tackle projects on your own. Before you strap on that tool belt, though, consider the following advice from local experts.

Painting

The biggest mistake people make is trying to cut corners, says faux finisher and painting expert Angela Roberts of Pomone Studios in Nashville.

"You have to do the prep work," Roberts says. "It usually takes longer than the painting process, but it makes the difference between whether or not it looks professional."

Prep work includes washing walls and baseboards with TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove dust and dirt; firmly securing painter's tape by running a credit card along its edges; and taking off switch plate and outlet covers.

"These steps make an amazing difference," Roberts says. "Otherwise, your work will look shoddy."

Buy the right kind of paint, she advises (avoid flat paint) and don't skimp on equipment.

"Do not buy plastic dropcloths as they will leak paint down under the floor, and it's too easy for a ladder to get caught in the plastic," she says. "It's a safety issue, so spend some money on the heaviest dropcloth you can buy."

Cheap roller covers and brushes are also a no-no.

"A good paintbrush, like a Purdy, is a household investment," Roberts says. "If you take care of it, you'll have it forever."

Landscaping

Because labor is one of the higher costs associated with landscaping, a little hard work can save big bucks. One easily avoidable goof: planting trees and shrubs in the wrong spot or too close together.

"Like when someone buys a 3-foot plant because they think it will look good next to their steps," says John Flannery, retail manager of John Deere Landscapes in Franklin, Tenn. "Then it turns out to grow 20 feet and doesn't fit. You have to remember plants grow."

You'll also be a lot happier with your results, he advises, if you do a little research first. "You've got to know what grows in whatever hardiness zone you're in," Flannery says, referring to the United States Department of Agriculture map that divides the country into 11 temperature ranges.

Electrical

Whether you're replacing a wall switch, rewiring a lamp or installing a ceiling fan, electrical repairs or changes require basic knowledge of how your home's electrical system works. At a minimum, that means knowing how to turn off the power to the room in which you're working.