If you’re trying to decide whether or not it’s worth putting money into a home remodeling project, you’re not alone. At some point, every homeowner considers a remodeling project. After all, the right project won’t just make your home more functional and enjoyable for you, it can also increase your property’s value in the long-term, making it a better asset to hold onto or a more profitable thing to sell.
Of course, not all home remodeling projects are created equal. For instance, while you might love the idea of investing a few grand into a brand-new walk-in closet for your master suite, that won’t necessarily increase your home’s value very much. In fact, if you’re making a spare room and turning it into a closet, you may be decreasing the value of your house. Still, it might be the right choice if you plan on staying in your home for the long-term and you’re prioritizing your own wants and needs over those of the market.
Good Remodeling Projects to Invest In
So, what home remodeling projects should you consider (or not consider) if you’re trying to balance your own wants with the added value, they’ll bring on the open market? Here are some of the biggest projects that almost always increase value while also proving beneficial to your lifestyle.
Sunroom Addition
Extending the living area of your home is certainly one of the most profitable remodeling projects you can take on, but it does require a good deal of planning and permitting to do it right. Short of extending the livable square footage of your home (like with the addition of a family room or a new bedroom), you can add on to the space with a creative addition that costs less but will be utilized just as much.
Think about a sunroom, for example, which can act as a lovely indoor/outdoor dining space, sitting area, or even a playroom for the kids. These extremely versatile additions cost less than adding a bedroom or other area, and they can really add value to your property when smartly placed in your floor plan. When deciding where to put a sunroom, think about the size and view. They’ll obviously need some sun exposure for warmth and light, but you also need to think about temperature control and access.
New Doors, Windows, and Siding
When done right, a carport can increase your home’s curb appeal by balancing the architecture and getting vehicles out of your front yard. Another aspect that can improve your home’s look is by adding new doors, windows, and even siding. Siding is the biggest factor out of all of these, as painting or re-siding a home can instantly transform its look.
If your siding is at all damaged, cracked, peeling, or otherwise looks dated, this is a top home remodeling project to consider–and it probably won’t cost as much as you think. Choosing a new siding can also improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower maintenance if you pick the right material. Likewise, new doors and windows can improve your home’s insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs.
If you find that your home has old, damaged, or mismatched windows, replacing them would be another smart remodeling project. Get windows that are uniform in size, shape, and style and it will instantly pull your home together. When replacing windows, you can also consider the addition of new windows or the enlarging of windows to better balance curb appeal while bringing in more natural light to the inside of your home.
As far as energy efficiency and security go, replacing doors on the outside and inside of your home can also make a big impact on how your home looks and feels. Matching doors throughout will bring a sense of uniformity and style to even older homes, and choosing the right thickness and material means better temperature control.
Carport Addition
It’s common for older homes to have attached garages converted into more living space or even an extra bedroom, but that can decrease a home’s value for buyers who want protected parking. It can also hinder your enjoyment of your home if your driveway stays cluttered with vehicles or you have to struggle to find an on-street parking space. In any of these situations, adding a covered carport can go a long way in improving your home’s value and functionality.
A carport will give you a designated area to park your vehicle while shielding it from UV rays (keeping it cooler during the summer and safe from rain and hail during the storm season). Carports are also very budget-friendly, as you can work with a professional builder to determine just how far you want to take the project. It can be as simple as an attached slant roof on the side of your home over a concrete parking area or as advanced as a fully enclosed garage.
Weighing the Benefits of Home Remodel
Now that you have some ideas to toss around, how do you decide if a home remodeling project is worth it or not? First things first, you must consider your priorities. If you are thinking about selling your home, the main consideration for your remodeling project should be how it will affect your home’s value on the open market. If you are planning to stay in your home for the long-term, you might instead choose to prioritize your own wants and needs, which may not match up with what the market wants.
In either case, you need to think about the cost of the project in relation to the impact it will make on your property. At the end of the day, it’s a subjective decision because it will truly rely on what your priorities are as the homeowner. If you consider the cost worth the impact, then the home remodeling project is certainly something you should pursue.
Call us 904-513-1907 to discuss how to add more functionality and value to your home.
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