Is it really worthwhile to remodel
your home? Well, that depends on whether
you are planning to sell your home in the next few years or you plan to stay
put indefinitely. There is not always a
direct relationship between exactly how much you put into a specific renovation
project and exactly how much you get out of it.
If you consider home improvement item by item, you'll likely conclude
that undertaking almost any individual home improvement prior to the sale of your
home is a losing proposition. However,
when you add small improvements together with vision and creativity, you create
an overall house improvement and a big return on your investment. The whole package is far more valuable than
the sum of its parts.
Now in the remodeling concept, there
are both winners and losers. With some
ideas you are bound to fail and will most likely lose everything you invested
in it. Others will pay off for you, and
maybe in a big way. Let's look at some
of the losers first.
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Some homeowners have considered
taking a spare bedroom to make it into an executive office. This is a mistake. First, it can be expensive. You decide to have a carpenter in to build
solid oak cabinets and shelves from floor to ceiling. You look at the floor and decide that only
hardwood could possibly complement the cabinets so you rip out the carpet. Then you look at the small desk that you have
used in the corner and decide that a heavy, mahogany executive desk is needed
along with some leather chairs. A nice
painting behind the desk makes it almost complete. Then you realize that you must have an
upgrade in your digital and electronic devices.
The entire project climbs to $30,000.
You enjoy it for a year, and what happens? You lose your job or get transferred. Who pays for the new office? Not the buyer, they're busy trying to figure
out how to turn it back into a bedroom.
The Sunroom addition is another
popular mistake. Now I say that if we're
talking strictly about resale. If you
plan to stay in your house for the next 30 years, you can enjoy your addition immensely,
but if you plan to sell in a couple of years you might get stuck. Anytime you have to add on to the
foundation-and the footprint of your home-- the price climbs, says Michael
Hydeck, owner of Hydeck Design Build Inc. near Philadelphia and past president
of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
With a 200 square-foot room with
skylights, low E-windows, automatic shades and a tile floor, it's a major
project. In certain parts of the country
you may do just as well, adding a pergola over your patio.
Let's look at some better uses of
your money. A sound investment is in
targeted your kitchen. Let's say you
have $10,000 to play with. No, it won't
get you a complete makeover for that, but we can definitely put it to good
use. Think about upgrading tired old
appliances. Cabinet resurfacing and
upgrading the countertops can be very affordable and you can make a big
splash. Having the countertops,
refinished in a multi-stone pattern is a great way to save70% over replacement.
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A real no-brainer is painting the
house. Repaint the interior of your
home and keep it neutral with soft earth tones.
Then make sure you pick up some fantastic pillows and accessories to add
punches of color.
No buyer wants to walk barefoot
across your tired, old, stained, worn-out carpet. When you replace the existing carpet, go with
a neutral shade.
Curb appeal is so important if you
are investing for the future. Keep the
hedges trimmed and healthy. Give your
lawn some TLC, and plant flowers for color and beauty. Create a strong first impression by adding
shiny new house numbers and maybe even a new mailbox. Finally, add some wonderful outdoor lighting.
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If selling isn't in the cards for
you and your family, you can still consider all of the tips above. You'll enjoy living in an upgraded house,
especially if you're staying put.
Additionally, think about these projects for long term payback.
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If you learned anything from this article, please make a comment or pass
it along to your friend’s family and co-workers. If you would like to leave a
comment related to this article, place it in the comment section below.
Would you like to receive a free copy of our new ebook - Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.
Would you like to receive a free copy of our new ebook - Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.
Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville,
Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior
bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, the
company is also multiple time award winner, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville
Chamber Award” four years running. If you would like to contact him, call (800)
409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or email them at alan@tubking.com.
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