Renovation is a big word. According to Webster’s Dictionary, Renovate means: to make changes and repairs to (an old house, building, room, etc.) so that it is back in good condition; to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding).
First question, are you doing renovations for yourself or to sell your home? This question could make a world of difference on the amount of money you might spend or the amount of work you actually do. If you are watching reality shows on remodels, they are not as easy as they look. AND, they sure don’t take the small amount of time and money they indicate. So think about what you want to do. It might be best to get a couple of quotes too.
If you are putting your home up for sale, it might just need a coat of paint. Sometimes, the money you spend to remodel will not necessarily be what the buyer would have chosen. If you do need to paint, select neutral colors for the rooms, trim, and exterior.
Don’t ever take on a big renovation project to sell your home. You probably will not get the money back out of it. The biggest renovation projects include kitchens and bathrooms. Most of the time, what you like, the new buyer will not necessarily like. Now, if you are not going to sell, the first thing to do is to establish a budget on what you can afford. Then start planning the project with a contractor or yourself. I would highly recommend, you call a contractor for a full remodel. If you think you might be selling in a few years, keep your remodel simple. Go with basic selections. Stick with a white toilet and bathtub, neutral tiles or carpet, granite or laminate counters, etc.
The main things in preparing to sell your home are de-clutter, clean, maybe a coat of paint, and being prepared to know what the upgrades might cost. Ask your builder or realtor to help you out. It’s hard enough for just getting some of these things done to sell, much less a major remodel. Just use caution when you want to remodel prior to selling. Ask your Real Estate Agent or builder what they recommend.
If you are not going to sell, please plan out your renovations. They might seem simple but can turn into a nightmare if you don’t plan, or know what you are doing. The biggest problem that I’ve seen, is that some people start one thing and continue to do other things without finishing the first. What happens here? You end up with a big mess, house all torn up, nothing finished, and you either have to call someone in to help finish or it takes you two to three times longer to complete.
Again, TV makes it look way too simple and less costly. Beware when you start any renovation project. My recommendations, call a general contractor to sit down and talk with, get a full understanding of what your project truly requires, and then have them give you a quote. You might be surprised at the cost, good or bad. Good luck!
For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net
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