Remodeling?
Get
the most bang for your buck
When choosing where to spend your home improvement budget,
consider more than your wish list. While adding hot tubs or
expensive high-tech windows may add to the personal enjoyment of
your home, remember that some remodeling projects practically pay
for themselves.
According to a recent industry cost vs. value report, you can expect
a 94% return on the investment you put into a minor kitchen
remodeling job, if you sell your house within a year of making the
improvements.
Replacing flooring, cabinets, and appliances improves the look of
your home and adds convenience. Plus, when it's time to sell your
home, remodeling projects add appeal--which helps sell your home
faster.
Besides kitchen remodeling projects, other projects promise a return
on your money. Here is the return you can expect on these projects:
So before you make remodeling plans, consider how much you're
putting into the investment and how much you can expect back.
That said, we have thought of everything including the kitchen sink. We have projects for
the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and yard. Use these ideas to challenge and
inspire you to make your home even better than before.
So, if you're a beginner or an old pro, there is no time like the present to
take on that new deck or faucet project.
More Home Renovation Info:
- Expect your project not to finish on-time and expect to
go over your budget as much as 30%.
- Watch out for incremental costs that add up when you get
that "since you're here, why not fix this ..." attitude.
- Don't expect to get a dollar-for-dollar pay back on your
remodel project at the time you sell your home.
- Be sure to get lien release waiver forms completed
before work is started. This will protect you if a contractor fails to pay
subs or companies for product.
- Be careful with paying money upfront. Look for
contractors who will accept payment in phases or steps.
- Never verbally agree to anything. Get even minor changes
in writing.
- Follow up on a contractor's reference list thoroughly.
Former customers will be happy to share details if you ask. So, ask about
their budget and the timeliness of the project.
Interested in finding out home much that new addition will cost BEFORE you get a bid from a contractor? Check out our interactive project calculator. You can use them to calculate the cost of any home improvement project from wall papering a room to building a deck to reroofing your home.
Listings for State Licensing Boards
for Contractors & Architects Hometime.com is a
wonderful source for lots of projects
Improvements Catalog
has all the improvement tools you need
Discovery
Channel is a fine source of projects as well
Better
Homes and Garden is an excellent source
Better Business on-line guide to home improvement
Home
Depot is America's #1 home improvement store
HGtv.com is all about
projects and more
Lowes
Home improvement Warehouse
Do it Yourself
Network has lots of projects for you
Remodeling tips from the Consumer Information Center
Homearts.com's tips for the home
Hometips.com
from Don Vandervort, a regular on HGTV's "The Fix"
R. Shaffer Home Inspections of MA
