REDO READY
Up your home value with good remodeling choices
Many people dislike change in general, but if you are ready to make some changes such as a kitchen or bath remodel, the updates can have a positive effect on home value as well as beautify a space for you to enjoy.
“Remodeling will always increase your home’s value unless you do something crazy like painting your home bright pink. How much depends on the project, the neighborhood, etc.,” said Dan Bawden,
CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB, GMR, president
of Legal Eagle Contractors Co. “The projects with the highest return on investment
(ROI) are cosmetic ones, not structural ones. Things like painting, lighting, flooring, kitchen, and bath updates have the best
ROI, for example.
“People should not do big projects like room additions to ‘remodel just for resale,’ however. It will take at least five years to get a positive ROI on big projects.”
Do you want to add more space, or upgrade storage/shelving, counters, lighting, windows, bath fixtures, or flooring? First you need to figure out the cost to provide a starting point.
“Before you can get bids or approach a lender about borrowing for a project, you need a realistic idea of what the cost might be.
The cost of both labor and materials has definitely gone up during the last two years and is still climbing,” Bawden said. “Some local remodelers (like me) have a ‘Price My Project’ tool on the website that provides these ranges for various projects here in Houston.”
What is trending right now?
“The most requested home renovations are master bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor living spaces,” said Sherry Pruitt, CGR, CAPS, Whodid It Designs and Remodeling. “They are typically gutting kitchens and going with all new cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances. They want lighter, fresher color palettes. Also important is creating a more functional space.”
Pruitt said in most master bedroom suites, the old jacuzzi tubs are coming out to make way for walk-in showers, sometimes with soaker tubs. Again, this creates a fresh and light, spa-like atmosphere. They usually then move into the master closets to make a custom look and to organize.
Many people like to tackle home remodeling tasks themselves as well. Is there a point, however, when the DIY homeowner should not proceed and should hire a professional?
“If it is a small project like painting a bathroom or replacing a lock, a homeowner might tackle that,” said Bawden. “If the project involves multiple trades, (like an electrician, plumber, carpenter, cabinet maker, drywall crew and painting), it is smarter to hire an experienced remodeler to manage the project and provide known, skilled trades. Anything that involves electrical, plumbing, or A/C work should not be done by homeowners for safety reasons.”
There are some hurdles to face in remodeling, according to Pruitt, such as volatile and fluctuating prices and availability of materials, most especially appliances.■