Not all renovation projects are the same. Only a couple of them allow you to recoup the cost when you put your house on the market. For most families, a home remodel addresses an existing need.
If you don't plan on selling your house in the next couple of years, those are worthwhile projects. But, if you want to add value straight away, the huge in-ground pool you've been dreaming of will have to wait.
A New Front Door
When it comes to curb appeal, this is a no-brainer. Sensible steel and stately stone veneer doors are the most popular replacements for old doors. An attractive entrance is sure to score points with estate agents and potential buyers.
The average cost of a new door is between £1,200 - £2,000. You can expect to recoup 90% of your investment. However, if you go with a steel model, you can recoup 101%. Curb appeal typically adds the most value.
Inefficient front doors lead to energy loss. By replacing the front door, you'll significantly improve the energy efficiency of your house. And, you can do all that without breaking the bank.
Garage Upgrade
You can start by getting rid of the clutter. It's pretty cost-efficient and will give you some extra storage room. Turning your garage into an extra bedroom may sound tempting, but potential buyers may not find that so appealing. Also, you may need planning permission from your local district council.
Tiles and concrete are a solid choice for garage flooring. Insulating the walls would also be a good idea. For plenty of buyers, energy efficiency is even more important than curb appeal. By fixing wall mounts and cabinets, you'll get a lot more storage space.
If you're adamant about getting an extra room, you can loft the garage to build a suspended room under its roof. However, a good-looking garage door is likely to top all the other investments in this area.
It can significantly increase the value of your home. You can expect your house to sell quicker, as well. A mid-range garage door replacement should run you about £1,300. You'll spend twice as much if you opt for an upscale replacement.
Whichever option you choose; you can recoup 90% of your investment. For maximum ROI, it's best to install a garage door with plenty of windows.
New Windows
You can't miss with window replacement projects. Such projects best withstand the test of time. You can expect a recoup of 77.5% of the cost of a mid-range vinyl window replacement. New wooden windows can recoup 79% of your initial investment.
This project can increase value, appeal, and efficiency. You'll significantly reduce your home's carbon footprint. Installing insulated windows is one of the best ways to cut both heating and cooling costs. You can expect them to do a great job of regulating heat exchange.
Ductwork
Old and outdated duct design can decrease the efficiency of temperature regulation and air distribution by up to 75%. Moreover, it can shorten the lifespan of your entire HVAC system. By configuring your ductwork, you'll avoid costly repairs in the future.
The biggest victim of poor ductwork is your wallet. Losing heated or cool air due to inefficient duct design leads to hefty energy bills. That money could be spent elsewhere.
With properly configured ductwork, you'll quickly be able to raise money for a new project. Although ductwork doesn't increase curb appeal by no means, potential buyers will want to know how much you spend on utility bills.
Kitchen Update
The kitchen is arguably the most important room in a house, especially for big families. An average kitchen remodel costs about £16,000. However, a job done right will deliver an 80% recoup on your investment. Nothing can sell a house faster than its kitchen.
Even if you're not planning to sell your home, you are sure to benefit from an updated kitchen. It's the room in which families spend the majority of their time. In other words, it's the room that uses the most energy.
By upgrading your kitchen, you won't just make it more energy-efficient, you'll increase its usability and thus make it more convenient for your family. If you have a very old kitchen, it probably doesn't have a layout that suits modern living. A kitchen remodel allows you to plan a new layout according to your family's needs.
Conclusion
The right improvements will boost your home's value, functionality, and curb appeal. There are countless ideas you could go for. But, most of them are superficial and don't have intrinsic value. The right projects will improve your quality of life and allow you to sell your home at a higher price.
