Home Improvement Tips: Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Home improvement projects often start with someone saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice if …?” More often than not, reality and dreams do not coincide because of the limited resources to achieve dreams or because of limited space. The trick: make your dreams come true. Start by realistically assessing your needs. Homeowners usually consider renovating the house for one of the following reasons.

You may feel the need to update something that is out of date. If the color scheme of your kitchen was perfect a few decades ago, but stopped working, maybe now is the time to update it.

Some home improvement projects arise from the immediate need to replace broken or inefficient lighting fixtures. If you need to replace the sink, bathtub or toilet, consider changing the entire bathroom.

If you are going to sell your home, you need to make sure that you are getting the most out of the sale. This is a great motivation for some home improvement projects.

You decided it was better to stay put and improve your home than to move.

Your family has grown and you need more space.

Improve the move? or improve to stay?

When you upgrade your home to put it up for sale, carefully evaluate your plans. Labels can harm your potential customers, not help them. Potential buyers may prefer not to pay for some extras such as a whirlpool bath or swimming pool. It’s better that the changes are simple.

And keep in mind that buyers who visit your home may not share your tastes or appreciate the care you have taken when looking for the right shade of green wall paint.

It will be easier for you to sell if you think about it from the perspective of a potential buyer: what is important for the buyer? Here are a few home improvement projects that buyers are likely to find useful:

Add or repair the bathtub

Improving the kitchen

Add a new room

Landscaping

Add room

Add or close the garage.

If you are renovating because you want to stay in your house, you should still avoid it for too much renovation. You will probably want to someday sell it, and even if your home is the best on the market, it can be difficult to convince potential buyers to pay for something that is important to you. And if you plan to make any improvements, think about the value of other properties in the area. The cost of your home should not be more than 20% above average, which means that a $10,000 kitchen improvement project can be a better investment than a $10,000 spa, especially if your only home in the area is with a Hot tub. .

Home care or home renovation

Unfortunately, some home improvement projects continue because something has broken down. Replacing a leaky bathtub may be the first step in overhauling the bathtub: since the bathtub needs to be replaced anyway, why not do it all over the room?

While this may be a legitimate reason for renovation, do not base your home improvement plans on the basis of immediate needs. It is better to minimize problems with good service. Examine every part of your home at least once a year. Check the roof, plumbing, wiring, etc. Performing repairs once you first learn it can help you avoid big costs in the future. Keep in mind that keeping in good condition does not increase the value of your home. In most cases, repairs are not improvements; they are necessary.

Hiring professionals will help you save time and money

It goes without saying that home projects can be expensive, so you may be tempted to do them yourself to save money. This can be a smart move for small projects. You don’t have to wait for someone to adjust your home to their busy schedule, and you can be proud to have done the job yourself.

But if you are not very versatile developed, it is better to entrust the overhaul of the house to professionals.

If you decide to renovate the kitchen and plan to do the work yourself, will you be able to take care of plumbing, electricity and carpentry? And don’t forget to finish it quickly, because you don’t have a kitchen until it’s an “unfinished job” and three meals a day in a restaurant can become expensive. Keep in mind that working with your own hands usually takes longer. And you are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and checks.

Hiring people with the necessary experience will also help you save time and money. For example, these professionals can help you achieve an individual image using standard products, which can yield significant savings. If you do something right the first time, it will benefit you for years to come.

Contact your friends, business partners and neighbors for recommendations on how to find qualified and reliable home improvement specialists. Make sure you always get at least three recommendations and check them carefully. Also contact your local Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce. Their numbers can be found in the public services section of your phone book.

Once you’ve found the right home development specialists, make sure everyone agrees with the design, planning and budget, and put the details in writing in the signed contract.

It is also prudent to check for professional certificates and licenses if necessary and to make sure that the contractors you hire are fully insured and connected. This information can be provided by your municipal building department. And it’s very important that you make sure that contractors have employee compensation insurance: if employees are injured at work, you are not liable if the contractor is insured. Ask for copies of their insurance certificates. And make sure you or your contractor get the permits you need before you start work. For more information, contact your local planning and zoning commission.

Here’s a rundown of some of the professionals you may have to work with to renovate your home:

Architect: Architects design houses or annexes from foundation to roof. If your project requires structural changes, such as adding or removing walls, or if the project is complex, you’ll probably need an architect. Since architects can charge an hourly or fixed rate, be sure to estimate the total cost: planning a major renovation project can take 80 hours or more.

Contractor: The contractor will oversee the home improvement project, including hiring and supervising workers, obtaining the necessary permits, ensuring inspections as needed, and providing guarantees to the working group. It is always useful to receive offers from one or more reputable contractors, depending on the specifics of your project.

Make sure each contractor submits the same plan to make it easier for you to compare their offers. If you choose a contractor, make sure that the contract says you’re paying in stages. Usually when you sign a contract, you pay a third party so that the contractor can purchase the materials. The number and timing of the remaining payments will depend on the size of the project. Do not make a final payment until all works are successfully completed, verified and approved.

Interior Architects: Interior designers are specialists who give advice on furniture, wall coverings, colors, styles and much more. They help you save time by narrowing your choices and saving money because they usually get professional discounts from their suppliers. When you meet an interior designer, talk to him about your personal style and preferences. Be prepared to pay between $50 and $150 an hour, or you can negotiate a fixed rate of about 25% of the total cost of the project.


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