Whether you’re planning on selling your home or you’re hoping to vamp up its visual appeal without spending a fortune, there are many home renovation options that can increase equity. You can actually increase the value of your home for less than you may think. When your remodeling budget is small and you want to confirm that you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck, there are simple techniques and tricks that you should consider.
Focus on the outside as well as the inside.
If you’re planning on selling your home, the first part of your property that potential buyers will see is the outside. Curb appeal is just as important as the interior of your home and can often make or break whether someone even wants to see the inside.
- Exterior Touch-ups – Paint your old shutters, the fence, the deck, and other areas that are within reach on the outside of your home. These simple fixes will quickly increase the appeal of your home and therefore increase your chances of receiving offers.
- Landscaping – Invest in a sprucing-up of your landscape, such as planting some flowers, bushes, and trimming any trees. You can give your home up to a 12% home value advantage by enhancing your curbside appeal – meaning you could be increasing the value of your home by tens of thousands of dollars. If your grass has seen better days, replant it. Potential buyers want the greener yard without thinking they’ll have to do the landscaping themselves.
Think about what you might be able to do yourself.
Oftentimes, homeowners may not know where to start when it comes to increasing the value of their home – so they turn to contractors to get it all done. There are, however, many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects that you can start in your own time that will cost less while making a massive difference in the aesthetic of your home. You may even realize that you don’t actually need to hire anyone.
- Painting – Painting is a skill that can be learned by virtually anyone. A new coat of paint within the interior of your home will do wonders for refreshing the beauty and cleanliness of your rooms. If you’re unsure of where to start with various painting techniques, there are many videos on YouTube that are clear and easy to follow.
- Replacing Appliances – Replace a few of the appliances in your home. If you can’t afford to do an entire kitchen remodel, remember that outdated, mismatched, and unattractive appliances can usually be replaced for far less than you would spend on a complete renovation.
Put in the extra work to ensure that you’re finding the right contractor.
When the project turns from a manageable DIY to something beyond your own skillset and you do decide to hire a general contractor, make sure you research their services thoroughly to verify that you’re choosing someone who will offer you not only top-notch quality at market prices, but also excellent customer service.
- Study the quote. – Homeowners sometimes assume that certain services (e.g. materials and clean-up) are included – but if they’re not in the quote or contract, they’re not mandatory. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to ask for references. This is your money that you’re spending, so you want to verify that you’re spending it wisely.
- Cheapest isn’t always best. – Choosing the cheapest contractor and subcontractors doesn’t always truly mean cheaper. You’re usually paying for the experience and expertise of your contractor, so if you’re paying below market price, the likelihood that mistakes will be made that will increase your time and expenses is much higher. You want the project done right the first time.
If you’re looking for remodeling contractors in Seattle, pick the guys who will treat you with integrity and ensure that you’re getting the best quality at the most competitive rates. Reach out today to speak to a representative at ProComplete Homes.