Your home is your castle. It’s likely the largest single investment you’ll make in your lifetime. Keeping it maintained is a priority to make sure it remains in good shape structurally and functionally.
But sometimes regular maintenance and upkeep isn’t sufficient. Simple repairs may not be enough to resolve problems. Events can occur that require remodeling the home in some way. The extent of remodeling would be based on the situation.
Reasons To Remodel
You've Outgrown Your Space
If your family is growing, you may have outgrown your home. Having more children, bringing elderly parents in, or just feeling cramped can present the need for more space. You could move into a larger home, but what if you love where you are? If you like your neighbors, the location and schools, an option is to add on to your current home.
The types of home additions best suited to your needs would depend on the layout of your current property. You could build up or out. Expand your master suite.
You can get more space without adding more rooms as well. A finished basement can add lots of room for entertainment, additional storage, an extra bedroom and bathroom and more. Redesigning closets and adding cabinets and shelves can add more storage space.
Your Situation Has Changed
Another change could be that you’re getting older yourself and need modifications to the home if you plan to remain there. Wheelchair ramps, walk-in tubs and showers, and other changes will assist you if you have limited mobility.
Or you and your spouse may be spry empty-nesters who no longer need 4 small bedrooms. You can convert some of them into a home office, craft room, game room or for some other purpose that suits your new lifestyle. Maybe you don’t need a formal dining room any more. Knocking down a wall to make it a hearth room or expanded kitchen can make it a more open floor plan more conducive to entertaining.
Maybe you want to expand your living space to the outdoors. Adding a deck, patio, porch or sunroom can do that. Barbecue, dine, entertain, or just sit and relax while enjoying the pleasant weather.
Ready Fore Home Remodeling?
Do you still have those laminated kitchen cabinets? Old worn carpeting? Bathroom vanities or tubs that are scratched and stained? Still stuck in the 60s or 70s?
These and many other outdated features of your home can be a great reason to remodel. Trends in paint colors, materials used for countertops, and other design features change. If it’s been a while since you’ve had them updated, it may be time to freshen your home’s look.
Upgrades can be gradual and small, like replacing your kitchen cabinets. Or you could remodel the entire kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, appliances and flooring. This decision depends on your budget and needs.
Add Home Value
If you’re considering putting your home on the market, some improvements will generate more value than others.
Curb appeal is tops on the list to attract potential buyers. Making sure the outside of the house is clean and repaired, the lawn mowed, shrubs and trees trimmed--all will affect the initial appeal. If the exterior siding is peeling, cracked or faded, you may want to have it painted, repaired or replaced.
If you’re looking for the best ROI in room remodels, the kitchen and bathrooms should be the priorities. They may cost more to remodel, but you’ll reap the benefits in the added value. Also, you don’t need a complete room remodel to get benefits from it. Replacing or refurbishing cabinets or countertops can update the look considerably.
Even if you don’t plan to sell your home in the near future, you will be able to enjoy the updates. Your kitchen and bathrooms are the most frequented rooms in the home. Getting a fresh, upgraded look may convince you to stay put for many more years!
Home Remodeling Projects To Consider
Most homeowners don’t update their entire house at once. Costs and inconveniences are two big reasons why remodeling and renovations are done piecemeal. We’ve already discussed some of the many reasons for remodeling a home. Each room (or portion thereof), addition, or repurposing has its own specific needs and benefits.
Some remodeling projects will offer more ROI, as with a kitchen or bathroom renovation. However, finishing a basement, adding a bedroom, converting a garage, and other projects can add quality of life and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the central hub of a home. It’s where everyone congregates to dine, cook, and socialize. It gets a lot of wear and tear. Upgrading or updating your kitchen can reap great benefits, including return on investment. The changes can be small or extensive, but the difference you’ll realize is immense.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms also get a lot of use and abuse. Fixtures get stained and scratched, storage is at a premium, the design is antiquated. Renovating a bathroom can provide your family with a more relaxing experience, as well as increase the value of the home in general.
Tips For A Successful Remodel
Once you’ve decided to take the leap, you’ll want to make sure the results of your home remodeling project are what you expect. This requires some research and planning on your part.
Planning The Remodel
Make sure you have an idea of what you want so you can relay it to the contractor doing the project. Many reputable contractors can provide some guidance or ideas, but ultimately, you are the decision maker.
What are your color preferences? Do you favor any particular materials? Is there a design you’ve seen in a friend’s home or on TV that you like? Gather all the information you can upfront.
You also need to realize that a remodel will take time and result in a disruption of your daily routine, so plan for that ahead of time.
Setting A Budget
Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, costs can add up. It’s wise to set a budget and stick to it. Share the budget with the contractor you hire and stress that they need to inform you of any possible overages before they act on them.
Hiring The Right Contractor
Sure, there are some things that you can fix or remodel yourself, if you have the time, skills, desire, and tools. But many remodeling projects can get complex as you get into the details.
A knowledgeable and trusted contractor is the best option for the best results in remodeling. But don’t hire just any contractor. Make sure you check references and reviews. Are they local? How long have they been in business? Do they provide free estimates? Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
Answers to these questions and more will reveal the reputation, reliability and trustworthiness of those contractors you consider.