Renovation Areas (3)
ENERGY UPGRADE
Energy efficiency improvements in your renovations are more likely to save you money over the long run than bring you a high return on
your investment. However, builders and contractors may help you to get a better price for your home upon resale. Like most unseen benefits,
energy efficiency will seldom return its cost when selling the house. Therefore, your decision to improve energy efficiency will largely depend
upon your personal use of the property. Minor energy improvements, which are inexpensive, can help to sell the property. These renovation
improvements from contractors and renovators include weather stripping around doors, plastic films for windows, and caulking. If insulation
is poor, consider adding additional insulation to the attic first. It is the easiest to apply, costs the least, and produces the greatest efficiency
gains. These improvements also have the benefit of being more visible to prospective purchasers.
SUNSPACE ADDITION
Sunspaces are becoming more popular and can serve several functions, depending on their location in relation to the other rooms in the house.
A sunspace off the kitchen, for example, can serve as an airy and attractive breakfast area, saving that space within the house for other uses.
Sunspace additions, however, will not produce great returns on investment unless done along with other improvements. The cost of glass
windows is an unavoidable expense even if you do the work yourself. The space is not usable year-round in most locales. A good compromise
is to cut down on the exposed glass so that the heat gain/loss will decrease. Then the space is usable as regular living space year-round.
ROOM ADDITION
The value of a room addition will vary, depending on its use and the need for the space. Look closely at the utility an addition can provide. If
the addition adds a much-needed bathroom or bedroom, it can add significantly to the value of the house. Just make sure that you are not
overbuilding for the neighborhood. Your contractors and builders addition may make your home the largest in the neighborhood. Sometimes a
better choice is to open up the existing space by knocking out walls. Consult with a knowledgeable framing contractor before attempting this
conversion, because many walls are load-bearing and cannot be easily removed.
NEW SIDING
New siding is usually a poor investment. However, if the existing siding on the house is run down or cannot be refinished, then new siding can
add significantly to the house's value. Refinishing the existing siding is a much lower cost alternative and will add the same value to the house
if done properly. This is especially true if the original siding preserves the original flavor of the house. If you must install new siding, consider
doing it together with an energy upgrade. Since you will be removing the old siding, the installation cost of new wall insulation will be minimal.
NEW ROOF
Nothing will scare a prospective buyer away faster than an unattractive, leaking roof. If the roof is in poor condition, you may have no choice
but to replace it. But don't expect it to add much value to the house. The roof is one of those must do maintenance items. A stained or
unattractive roof can sometimes be improved with a steam cleaning.
NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS
Replacing windows and doors with your contractors is not a good short-term investment unless the existing ones are beyond repair. However,
if you plan to stay in the house for a long time, a builders replacement can save later maintenance headaches. Consider double-pane
renovation, vinyl-clad windows for replacement. If you do the work yourself, the addition of patio or French doors can provide attractive,
improved access to the outside at a reasonable cost.
SWIMMING POOL
A pool is one popular home improvement that seldom returns its investment. Obviously, people are installing pools for reasons other than
investment return. Don't consider the addition of a swimming pool unless your home is in a high-price bracket or you plan to be around for a
while.
Energy efficiency improvements in your renovations are more likely to save you money over the long run than bring you a high return on
your investment. However, builders and contractors may help you to get a better price for your home upon resale. Like most unseen benefits,
energy efficiency will seldom return its cost when selling the house. Therefore, your decision to improve energy efficiency will largely depend
upon your personal use of the property. Minor energy improvements, which are inexpensive, can help to sell the property. These renovation
improvements from contractors and renovators include weather stripping around doors, plastic films for windows, and caulking. If insulation
is poor, consider adding additional insulation to the attic first. It is the easiest to apply, costs the least, and produces the greatest efficiency
gains. These improvements also have the benefit of being more visible to prospective purchasers.
SUNSPACE ADDITION
Sunspaces are becoming more popular and can serve several functions, depending on their location in relation to the other rooms in the house.
A sunspace off the kitchen, for example, can serve as an airy and attractive breakfast area, saving that space within the house for other uses.
Sunspace additions, however, will not produce great returns on investment unless done along with other improvements. The cost of glass
windows is an unavoidable expense even if you do the work yourself. The space is not usable year-round in most locales. A good compromise
is to cut down on the exposed glass so that the heat gain/loss will decrease. Then the space is usable as regular living space year-round.
ROOM ADDITION
The value of a room addition will vary, depending on its use and the need for the space. Look closely at the utility an addition can provide. If
the addition adds a much-needed bathroom or bedroom, it can add significantly to the value of the house. Just make sure that you are not
overbuilding for the neighborhood. Your contractors and builders addition may make your home the largest in the neighborhood. Sometimes a
better choice is to open up the existing space by knocking out walls. Consult with a knowledgeable framing contractor before attempting this
conversion, because many walls are load-bearing and cannot be easily removed.
NEW SIDING
New siding is usually a poor investment. However, if the existing siding on the house is run down or cannot be refinished, then new siding can
add significantly to the house's value. Refinishing the existing siding is a much lower cost alternative and will add the same value to the house
if done properly. This is especially true if the original siding preserves the original flavor of the house. If you must install new siding, consider
doing it together with an energy upgrade. Since you will be removing the old siding, the installation cost of new wall insulation will be minimal.
NEW ROOF
Nothing will scare a prospective buyer away faster than an unattractive, leaking roof. If the roof is in poor condition, you may have no choice
but to replace it. But don't expect it to add much value to the house. The roof is one of those must do maintenance items. A stained or
unattractive roof can sometimes be improved with a steam cleaning.
NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS
Replacing windows and doors with your contractors is not a good short-term investment unless the existing ones are beyond repair. However,
if you plan to stay in the house for a long time, a builders replacement can save later maintenance headaches. Consider double-pane
renovation, vinyl-clad windows for replacement. If you do the work yourself, the addition of patio or French doors can provide attractive,
improved access to the outside at a reasonable cost.
SWIMMING POOL
A pool is one popular home improvement that seldom returns its investment. Obviously, people are installing pools for reasons other than
investment return. Don't consider the addition of a swimming pool unless your home is in a high-price bracket or you plan to be around for a
while.
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