Creating a loving home for your family is likely on your list of life goals. Many people envision coming home from work to a home cooked meal, kids playing in the backyard with the dog, and a loving spouse. Unfortunately, if your home is poorly designed, that dream can quickly turn into kids underfoot in a too-small kitchen with dog hair flying across the dining table.
While home remodels sometimes have the reputation of being costly and stressful, they can be a wonderful choice for homeowners looking to better their lives and their current digs. For example, bumping your kitchen wall out a few feet can allow you to add an island or a bar for additional prep-room, seating, and those dinnertime homework sessions. Remodeling a bathroom can boost your home’s value while improving your quality of life (and luxury).
Before beginning a home remodel, there are a few things you should be prepared for. First of all, remodels are stressful, so navigating this time with your spouse can be hectic. You also may need to take time to research which remodels are even worth doing, as well as the most advantageous designs to utilize. As with any project, staying on budget is key, so let’s discuss how to save money and still get the home you want.
Return on Investment
When it comes to any home improvement project, your return on investment needs to be considered. Yes, in some situations, you may be doing a remodel simply to improve your quality of life, but you should take into consideration your home’s resale value as well. Performing a home remodel that not only improves your quality of life, but also offers your home better value and potential resale cost, is much better.
There are some home remodels where you will receive 100% of the investment that you made back. For example, doing minor curb appeal landscaping will garner at least a 100% return on investment, if not more. Two areas in the home that are especially valuable in return on investment are the kitchen and bathroom.
Because kitchens and bathrooms can cost so much to remodel, they are often the most neglected areas of the home. Fortunately, homeowners who do invest in their kitchens and bathrooms often see a fantastic return on investment. Potential buyers want to see well-cared for kitchens and baths, to ensure there are no water leaks or other problems hidden under the cupboards.
Keep in mind with any remodel that classic designs are best. Go for natural wood finishes, neutral color tones, and keep things traditional. If you don’t have room for a jacuzzi and a walk-in shower, opt for the shower. Most people won’t have time to use the bath, even if it’s an appealing feature.
Additionally, if you only have one bathroom in your home, do not spend money remodeling it. Instead, take that money and add on a second bathroom. The addition of a second bath could cause your home to sell for as much as 8.7% more than if you only have one, nicely remodeled, bathroom.
Avoiding Stress
If you thought wedding planning was stressful, get ready to think again. Many people cite home renovations and remodels as the most stressful aspect of their relationship; more so than a newborn baby! Some experts argue that renovations are often a last ditch effort to save a failing marriage with a beautified home, but even the best marriages can feel the strain.
Home renovations can bring out the best and worst in anyone, as they stress about money, personal style choice, and the function of the home. Remodeling your home brings out your plans for the future, including ideas about child-raising, personal space, and individualistic ideals. The stress of planning is bound to bring about some conflict, so it’s wise to head into your remodel with your eyes open.
First, assess your relationship and the reason for your remodel. Are you trying to maintain a facade of happiness, even if things are falling apart? A failing marriage will only be exacerbated by your remodeling dreams and leave you with a large asset to divide in a divorce. Make sure your intentions for the remodel are aligned and your marriage is on steady footing.
Secondly, make as many decisions together as possible. Get into all of the details so that you can avoid the time crunch stress during the remodel. Decide on tile, paint colors, hardware fixtures, square footage space, cupboard colors, window sizes, and everything else before hammers hit the wall. If you find yourselves struggling to agree, it’s better to work through issues before the ground has been broken.
Staying On Budget
Perhaps the most important element of any home remodel is your budget. Getting yourself in financial hot water because you overindulged in a home build is a terrible waste of resources. But with any home remodel, you should plan on your project costing as much as 20% more than the original estimate.
The primary way to reduce your costs and keep your home project on budget is by knowing exactly what you are getting into. For example, knowing if your home has any serious problems hidden behind walls can help you avoid costly repairs in the midst of a remodel. Additionally, avoiding all of those last minute additions can help keep your expenses from adding up.
In any remodel, the trick to improving your living environment, without breaking the bank, involves careful analysis of what you really need. How much home does your family really require? Do you spend a lot of time in that downstairs den, or is it a dusty no-man’s-land? Take stock of where your family spends most of their time, so you can really assess which rooms in your home need a little extra love and which ones could be repurposed into something else.
Contact Iron River Construction
Whether you want to add a second bathroom or do a full basement remodel, you’ll need the help of professionals. Work with a company that has a comprehensive portfolio of home remodeling and can make your dollar work the hardest for you.
Contact Iron River Construction today to get started on your remodeling project!
