I Want to Renovate My House, What Should I Do First?
If you’re considering a complete house renovation, you can start by painting it inside and outside. This is done to give your house a fresh and ‘new’ feel. After that, you can replace the flooring; wood is a trendy material used for flooring since it adds value. Finally, you can opt for a re-landscaping of your back and front lawn for a curb appeal.
If a complete renovation is out of your current budget, consider doing some minor upgrades to your bathroom or kitchen furnishings. Regardless of what renovation project you choose, remember to do it carefully; if you can, hire a professional to help you.
What Are the Steps of a Kitchen Remodel?
- Step One – Demolition and Tear Out of the Old Design
- Step Two – Plumbing and Framing Work
- Step Three – Professional Inspection and Studying of the Kitchen Layout
- Step Four – Wall-Finishing Jobs
- Step Five- Installation of New Windows and Doors
- Step Six – Installation of New Plumbing Fixtures and Cabinets
- Step Seven – Obtaining of New Kitchen Appliances
- Step Eight- Installation of New Kitchen Flooring
- Step Nine – Enjoy Your New Kitchen!
What Are Some Updates that Pay Off?
Conversion of an Attic Bedroom
Average resale return: 93.5%
An attic bedroom inside a two/three-bedroom house can cost approximately $39,188 with a return of $36,649 at resale.
The highest recouping rate that you can get is in the West, at 105%. At the Midwest, you get a much lower recouping rate at 82%.
That budget can cover a 15 feet dormer, a 15×15-feet attic bedroom, a 5×7-feet bathroom (plus a shower), a closet, and four windows.
If you want to cut down costs on utility bills, consider adding attic insulation. You can check out the website for the US Department of Energy to see what the level of insulation for your area is. To avoid moisture seeping up, install a foil vapor barrier toward the ceiling.
Add the cost of a second HVAC unit to your budget if your current system can’t handle any more rooms.
To save on cooling costs, a solar-powered fan is the way to go. This type of fan can exhaust some heat from above the house. The fan is powered by a solar cell that is placed on the roof.
Family Room Additions
Average resale return: 83%
For this kind of job, you can find the highest recouping rates on high-end Western stores. The average cost to add a family room is about $54,464, with a resale return of $45,458.
Keep in mind that a sunroom only adds more value to your property in upscale neighborhoods and that these rooms only count in the house’s square footage if they’re cooled and heated for an entire year of use.
To make the most out of the room addition, give it a broader transition that visually connects the room to the rest of your home. You can do this by adding a more extensive interior doorway.
Décor for Living Room
Average resale return: 66%
Living room updates range from outlet covers, to chair rails and drapes, and other accessories. This update may cost you about $1,350.
Some buyers love clean finishes that complement floorboards, so consider adding some crown molding. It costs about $1.40 per foot.
Placing chairs and sofas around an attractive feature, such as a fireplace, can make your living room more eye-catching.
Rent a storage unit for the excess clutter and furniture if you’re only staging your house for selling.
If you want to add a designer-style feeling to the room, get some new window treatments and position your drapes higher on the wall.
Bedroom Upgrades
Average resale return: 52%
There are many bedroom updates that you can do! New lighting can cost you from $100 to $500. If you’re doing a drywall repair, use a low amount of joint compound to make the sanding process more accessible.
Keep in mind that new window treatments or bedding cost about $300, and to rent a wallpaper steamer, you may have to spend about $20. If you want to add a designer touch to the room, get a small chandelier to replace your old lighting fixtures.
Get a hardwood floor to make the room stand out more. You can do the staining and sealing by yourself, but consider hiring a professional for sanding the floor to prevent mistakes that could ruin the floor.
Bedroom Upgrades
Average resale return: 52%
There are many bedroom updates that you can do! New lighting can cost you from $100 to $500. If you’re doing a drywall repair, use a low amount of joint compound to make the sanding process more accessible.
Keep in mind that new window treatments or bedding cost about $300, and to rent a wallpaper steamer, you may have to spend about $20. If you want to add a designer touch to the room, get a small chandelier to replace your old lighting fixtures.
Get a hardwood floor to make the room stand out more. You can do the staining and sealing by yourself, but consider hiring a professional for sanding the floor to prevent mistakes that could ruin the floor.
Wall and Floor Updates for the Living Room
Average resale return: 40%
You can give your walls a fresh coat of paint to make them look cleaner for about $25. Brighten up the trim by using high-gloss white paint, and caulk open seams between the baseboard and wall, or between the ceiling and molding.
Hardwood flooring may cost from $3 to $8 a square foot. You might be looking at a budget of $1,200 for a 200 square foot zone. If you’re having the floor professionally installed, add $3 more per square foot.
Contact an expert to sand the hardwood floor to avoid mistakes that can ruin the floor. The cost varies from $1 to $1.50 per foot. Use Color Putty to fill in carpet tack holes.
You can get a new carpet for $10 to $30 per square foot, or you can clean your current one for $100-$150. Before starting the updates, remember to test your popcorn ceilings for asbestos. You can also get a new stone or wood mantel for just $500.
