Best Home Upgrades for Summer '17 |
Posted: July 17, 2017 |
When spring and summer come upon the nation, many people feel the need to clean and freshen things up. In the past the trend was toward open concepts and total gut jobs as well as other super expensive projects. This year, however, it's all about the budget whether you plan to sell your home or not. Following are some of our best home upgrade ideas for the summer of 2017. Bathrooms for Less Than $1,000 A total gut job on a bathroom averages $30,000 and up depending on the size and the extent of any damage found during demolition. Even though the return on investment is significant, there are better ways to make the space look new again at a much lower cost. First should be the bathtub. Removing, repairing and plumbing a tub space is expensive. However, reglazing an old tub only costs between $300 to $400 while caulking the seams will run about $1. Dated wall coverings like wallpaper need to be removed which is easy to do with a mixture of Downy Fabric Softener and water. After everything is clean and dry then apply a fresh coat of paint because it can work wonders costing an average of $10. Additionally, tiles can also be painted and grout can be freshened up for less than $100. Finally, if the bathroom has a shower that's separate from the tub you need to install or replace the shower door which runs between $100 to $800. With a few new accessories you'll have a brand new bathroom for less than $1,000 and, best of all, it can all be done in a weekend. Kitchens on a Budget On a national level, a complete kitchen remodeling costs $75,000 or more if the kitchen is taken down to the studs and rebuilt. Unfortunately, you'll only recoup 98.5% of that cost at the time of sale. Of course, the total amount will depend on the size of the space as well as whether or not an open concept is desired which often means installing expensive headers to support the home's upper floors or rafters. Let's compare that with a job that just freshens things up. If you were to sand and paint the cabinets, install new appliances, install recessed lightening, replace the sink, fixtures, pull-knobs and resilient flooring, change out window treatments and accessories and install glass interior doors, upgraded countertops and backsplashes, the total cost would be less than $15,000. Sure, it's more expensive than a bathroom upgrade but just look at how much use it gets as well as how important it is to the family. It is well-worth the cost for the upgrade whether doing it in preparation for a sale or just because it feels right. Curb Appeal The American Nursery and Landscape Association recently reported that the national average for upgrading landscaping is over $5,000 for the front yard alone. There's money to be saved, however, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty and with the 100% return on investment it makes sense. Start by revealing the jewel lost in the jungle of vegetation that was once known as the front yard. Be brutal when you get out the shears and hack away at the overgrown shrubbery that now covers the entryway of the home. Take down the lower limbs of trees so the front yard can be seen. If you haven't had the time to manicure your lawn consider installing sod. It's only 30 to 35 cents per square foot and if you buy over 1,000 square feet, delivery is often free. Local garden centers are a great place to find the help you'll need to replant only vegetation that will thrive in your area. Rather than try to plant every color flower in the rainbow, pick one or two colors then select plants in those colors that vary in height. Such a planting results in a very dramatic effect. Also, designate plant beds with stone borders then fill in around plants with colored wood mulch. It not only looks great but also is healthier for the plants. Finally, spruce up the pathway and paint the front door a bright color. The total cost will be less than $2,500. Freshen up the Exterior Now that the yard looks great it's time to freshen up the home itself. The return on investment for exterior upgrades runs between 95.5% and 103% on resale depending on the type of materials selected as well as how extensive the project was. However, such a project will be one that will need an adequate budget prior to starting. For example, siding alone can cost $10,000 or more depending on the type selected and size of the home so consider some alternatives first. If the siding is in good condition but looks tired, consider repainting it. If the exterior is wooden then repainting is a must but be sure that it is tested for lead prior to beginning the project if the home was built prior to 1978. Painting a 3,000 sq ft home, if you do it yourself, will cost between $375-$600 if the paint that is used costs between $25 and $40 a gallon. However, for the best paint the job can cost up to $5,000. Old awnings over windows and doors should be removed and front stoop wrought iron railings should be replaced with real wood at a cost of $50. Also, if the front of the home is bare and boring, building a 10'x10' pergola over the front door with decorative columns will bring loads of charm and only cost $2,500. Total cost for upgrading the home including the pergola would be less than $4,000. Conclusion For many homeowners, upgrades have little to do with resale value and more about aesthetic appeal. Whether you want to freshen up one room or the whole space, this year is all about the budget so set your numbers before you start then stick to them. When the budget has been spent you should stop. Any unfinished touches can be completed in a Phase 2 project. The goal of upgrading the home is to make you comfortable and happy with your own space.
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