BASEMENT CONVERSION
Basement conversions provide an excellent opportunity to add space and amenities to the house for a
minimum of cost and trouble. This space can solve many other problems in functional design by providing
space for additional bedrooms, bathrooms and recreational areas. Basements are one of the lowest cost
spaces in a home. They offer a high return on your remodeling dollars. Examine a basement carefully to
determine its remodeling potential. Older basements are notorious for moisture and leakage problems.
Sewage connections may not be available without the use of a flush-up toilet. New developments in
waterproofing materials have made this job easier. Many parts of the country have partially enclosed
basements built on sloping lots. These walk-in basements are particularly suited for bedroom and bath
conversions and will bring a high return. Basements completely below ground will bring a much lower
return due to lack of suitable lighting.
ATTIC CONVERSION
Attics are another source of low-cost conversion space and may enhance a house's value more than a
basement conversion. This is because attics are free from the moisture and sewage problems inherent in
basement conversions. As with the basement, attics already have the structural walls and ceiling present,
making the job easier to complete. Make sure that structural roof members do not obstruct the location of
walls. If the conversion is to be used for additional bedroom or recreational space, make sure to include a
bathroom. This will ensure the greatest return on your remodeling investment.
If the roofline is too shallow for a conversion, you might consider removing the entire roof and adding
another story to the structure. This is a good option if the lot is small or the roof already needs extensive
repair. The underlying structure must be structurally sound enough to bear the weight of the new floor.
DECKS
Decks have become increasingly popular in all parts of the country. They are easy to install and can
greatly enlarge the entertainment area of the house. This addition has a greater return in the southern
states where weather permits ample use of the deck. This is another good do-it-yourself project.
Many owners like to add additional amenities to their decks such as trellises, privacy walls and hot tubs.
These devices make attractive selling devices, but may not return their full investment at selling time. This
may be a minor point, since they add to your own enjoyment of the house.
KITCHENS
The kitchen has become one of the most popular renovation projects. Almost all kitchens in older homes
are small and ill equipped for modern lifestyles.
Minor kitchen remodeling can be quite cost efficient and may entail as little as new floor coverings and
painting of the cabinets. Many manufacturers now offer re-finishing kits that replace only the face and
doors of the cabinets, leaving the old shelving intact. Minor facelifts can brighten up a kitchen, but will do
little to solve major space or functional problems.
Typically, a major kitchen overhaul will bring a greater return on investment than a minor face-lift. A major
overhaul will allow you to add new and more spacious cabinets, solve traffic flow problems and lighter up
the kitchen with windows. A full face-lift is expensive and may not return the full value of the investment so
try to do as much of the work yourself as is possible If your existing kitchen is out of date, consider the re
modeling project a necessity.
BATHROOMS
Recent trends are toward lavish and spacious baths. Th two-bath house has become a standard. Adding
a second bath to a home may not return its full value, but eliminates a major obstacle in selling the home.
This true because buyers will be comparing your bath features to the ones present in new construction.
Because of the high cost of tearing out old fixtures and install new ones, consider doing much of the work
yourself. Tasteful decorating and a wise choice of fixtures w also add to your home's value without costing
a fortui Whenever possible, consider adding a bathroom to t master bedroom.
GARAGE
If your home does not have a garage or carport, consi adding a two-car garage. It will provide extra stor
and a workshop area. When combined with a room ac tion, a garage will return all of its investment and m
Make sure you don't overbuild for your neighborho
FIREPLACE
The fireplace adds charm to any home and fits in ni with most older structures. Adding a masonry
fireplace would be costly and would require major structural adjustments, so consider installing a
prefabricated ones with contractors and builders as they are less expensive, more energy efficient, and
much easier to install.
Basement conversions provide an excellent opportunity to add space and amenities to the house for a
minimum of cost and trouble. This space can solve many other problems in functional design by providing
space for additional bedrooms, bathrooms and recreational areas. Basements are one of the lowest cost
spaces in a home. They offer a high return on your remodeling dollars. Examine a basement carefully to
determine its remodeling potential. Older basements are notorious for moisture and leakage problems.
Sewage connections may not be available without the use of a flush-up toilet. New developments in
waterproofing materials have made this job easier. Many parts of the country have partially enclosed
basements built on sloping lots. These walk-in basements are particularly suited for bedroom and bath
conversions and will bring a high return. Basements completely below ground will bring a much lower
return due to lack of suitable lighting.
ATTIC CONVERSION
Attics are another source of low-cost conversion space and may enhance a house's value more than a
basement conversion. This is because attics are free from the moisture and sewage problems inherent in
basement conversions. As with the basement, attics already have the structural walls and ceiling present,
making the job easier to complete. Make sure that structural roof members do not obstruct the location of
walls. If the conversion is to be used for additional bedroom or recreational space, make sure to include a
bathroom. This will ensure the greatest return on your remodeling investment.
If the roofline is too shallow for a conversion, you might consider removing the entire roof and adding
another story to the structure. This is a good option if the lot is small or the roof already needs extensive
repair. The underlying structure must be structurally sound enough to bear the weight of the new floor.
DECKS
Decks have become increasingly popular in all parts of the country. They are easy to install and can
greatly enlarge the entertainment area of the house. This addition has a greater return in the southern
states where weather permits ample use of the deck. This is another good do-it-yourself project.
Many owners like to add additional amenities to their decks such as trellises, privacy walls and hot tubs.
These devices make attractive selling devices, but may not return their full investment at selling time. This
may be a minor point, since they add to your own enjoyment of the house.
KITCHENS
The kitchen has become one of the most popular renovation projects. Almost all kitchens in older homes
are small and ill equipped for modern lifestyles.
Minor kitchen remodeling can be quite cost efficient and may entail as little as new floor coverings and
painting of the cabinets. Many manufacturers now offer re-finishing kits that replace only the face and
doors of the cabinets, leaving the old shelving intact. Minor facelifts can brighten up a kitchen, but will do
little to solve major space or functional problems.
Typically, a major kitchen overhaul will bring a greater return on investment than a minor face-lift. A major
overhaul will allow you to add new and more spacious cabinets, solve traffic flow problems and lighter up
the kitchen with windows. A full face-lift is expensive and may not return the full value of the investment so
try to do as much of the work yourself as is possible If your existing kitchen is out of date, consider the re
modeling project a necessity.
BATHROOMS
Recent trends are toward lavish and spacious baths. Th two-bath house has become a standard. Adding
a second bath to a home may not return its full value, but eliminates a major obstacle in selling the home.
This true because buyers will be comparing your bath features to the ones present in new construction.
Because of the high cost of tearing out old fixtures and install new ones, consider doing much of the work
yourself. Tasteful decorating and a wise choice of fixtures w also add to your home's value without costing
a fortui Whenever possible, consider adding a bathroom to t master bedroom.
GARAGE
If your home does not have a garage or carport, consi adding a two-car garage. It will provide extra stor
and a workshop area. When combined with a room ac tion, a garage will return all of its investment and m
Make sure you don't overbuild for your neighborho
FIREPLACE
The fireplace adds charm to any home and fits in ni with most older structures. Adding a masonry
fireplace would be costly and would require major structural adjustments, so consider installing a
prefabricated ones with contractors and builders as they are less expensive, more energy efficient, and
much easier to install.
Renovation Areas (2)
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