When it comes to home improvements, you’ll probably want to prioritise projects that will add more value to your home—especially if you are planning to sell your property and move on in the future. Today I’m sharing some ideas for getting your home ship-shape so that you can enjoy living in it AND boost its resale value…
You probably have a long list of house parts you want to change. Could that flooring could use a little hardwood upgrade? Have you been eyeing up that bathtub for quite some time now? Or have you been meaning to put in a brick path to the front door? When it comes to improvements, it’s not always easy to decide which one you should go for first but don’t worry – I’m here to help!
When you do decide on which project to pursue, there are a lot of considerations (and reconsiderations!) including time and – here comes the money factor – budget. You don’t want to empty your savings for something that won’t last long. And most importantly, you don’t want to start a job something that will end up costing you a small fortune while not adding any value to your home.
So where do you draw the line? How do you know that what you’re working on will bring you a whole lot of good, money-wise? It’s a balance between knowing when you need a professional to do the entire project and when you can do the bulk of the project yourself and save some money at the same time.
TO DIY OR NOT TO DIY
You have to be discerning in every home renovation project that you decide to pursue and be sure that each project or room makeover will at least provide a decent return on your investment. But the good news is that there’s a middle ground to home improvements – and it’s none other than do-it-yourself.
For large projects, those that come with a hefty price tag – like an overhaul of your bathroom or landscaping a garden with sprinkler systems and outdoor electrics — these are major projects that require a professional to step in and complete the tasks involved. They may well be dangerous to tackle yourself and nothing is worth putting your safety at risk. But there are some smaller renovations you can do yourself and save some money on builder’s bills at the same time.
Start small with simple decorating projects first and work your way up to larger ones in the long run. You’ll develop confidence in your DIY skills as you go, and can get advice from knowledgeable friends and family if needed. When you’re confident enough and ready to go into full-on DIY mode, there are some things you can do that’ll actually add value to your home without the need for a professional. For example, you could install an upflush toilet yourself to replace older models of toilets for a more luxurious bathroom or could turn an alcove into an mini office or dressing area to add extra space.
START OUTSIDE TO BOOST KERB APPEAL
It’s a good idea to start DIYing from the outside before working on the inside of your home. And there’s nothing like strong kerb appeal to boost the future resale value of your home. The exterior is the first thing that visitors see and they can get a sense of how well your home is maintained just by looking at the outside. In fact, if it’s looking shabby, potential buyers might not even bother to book a viewing so it’s an important place to start.
You can begin by taking care of your lawn and planting shrubs and seasonal flowers. Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Painting your front door, washing your driveway regularly and keeping paths weed-free can go a long way without you having to spend too much money. Get more interactive advice from This Old House, and see which options are well within the range of your budget.
CHANGE YOUR FLOORING
Flooring can change almost the entire feel of the house. Real wood appeals to most buyers so, to achieve the rustic, minimal look, take out the carpet and sand back the wooden flooring beneath. Wooden flooring works well in a traditional style home AND it can look simple and contemporary so whatever style future buyers like, they can imagine themselves creating their preferred decor look in your home. Where I had a concrete floor, I laid laminate flooring so have a read of my blog post to see how I got on.
DON’T UPGRADE – PAINT
Upgrading your house and carrying out improvements can be, at times, a long, costly process. Things like kitchen appliances are necessary while you’re living in your home but buying new ones don’t give you much of a return on your investment as they depreciate in value and deteriorate with use. So, if you’ve already got appliances in perfectly acceptable working order, skip the upgrade and simply turn to fresh paint instead.
A few litres of paint doesn’t break the bank but can make everything in your house – from walls to kitchen cabinets – look like new again. If it’s your first time painting, there a lot of video tutorials that can guide you step-by-step and help you learn quickly and easily. A few muted highlights here and there, and a pop of colour against a neutral palette, and your home will look inviting, fresh and well maintained.
THINK IT OVER
Home improvements sit on the opposite ends of the spectrum: they’re either surprisingly cheap or ridiculously expensive. When you’re trying to do tasks like fixing a leaky sink, it’s relatively affordable if you have the right tools. Be aware though – even if you have the tools but you can’t trace the actual source of the problem, you might find yourself trying to fix the same thing over and over and using more resources than you initially thought you would. At some point, you’ll have to consider consulting a professional before you go any further so sometimes its good to get a second opinion before you begin!
Let me know what you DIYed in your own home that added value to the property in the comments below. I’d love to get your tips and hopefully will be inspired to tackle some more renovations myself 🙂
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