Home Improvement Solution

Posts Tagged ‘Math’

Home improvements are made for a variety of reasons. Sometimes those reasons are confused in the mind of the homeowner. That explains the first of the common mistakes listed below.

1. Not Being Clear About Your Purpose

With any home improvement, you should be clear about why you are doing it, so you can be clear about whether it is worth the cost. People often confuse their motivations, saying that a given project is not only to make the home more livable for them, but is an “investment” as well. The problem is, it may not be an investment that yields any return.

In a report recently in Remodeling Magazine, the average cost and added value of various home improvements was shown for different areas of the country. The worst remodeling projects, including creating a home office, only returned about half of the cost in added value. With the best, including a basement remodel, you get back about 90% of what you spend.

Let me do the math for you: every single one of the improvements in every area of the country was a money losing proposition on average. Now, it is true that some are better than others. The average attic bedroom addition only cost $13,000 more than it adds in value to the home, while you lose $30,000 on the average master bedroom suite project. It is also true that if you are knowledgeable and creative, you can add more in resale value than you spend.

Be clear about this. If you spend $68,000 creating a master bedroom suite, and it only adds $38,000 to the value of your home, this is not an “investment.” The real cost in the long run is $30,000. That’s what you pay for your personal enjoyment of it.

With that in mind, you may want to consider how long you will live in the house, and divide that costs into those months to decide if it is really worth it. If you move five years later, that nicer bedroom cost you $6,000 per year to enjoy, or $500 per month. If that seems reasonable, do the improvement. If an extra vacation or two annually, or $500 per month going into a retirement account, or any other way you could spend that $30,000 sounds better, drop the project or scale it down.

2. Not Being Clear In The Contract

If you don’t know what you want, you are likely to pay a lot more than you think for home improvements. This is because whatever you agree with the contractor on, that’s what you get for the price. Every little change will be extra, so know what you are trying to do in advance, and make sure it is included in the bid and the contract.

You may be wise enough to have a deadline in the contract, rather than just an “estimated date of completion.” But a deadline alone may not be enough. You may also want to consider a clause that specifies penalties for not completing the job on time. A line saying that the price will be reduced by $100 for each day past the deadline is a “motivational clause.” Also, never pay in full until the job is done.

3. Not Being Prepared For The Process

Large home improvements involve large messes. You may have to deal with dust and piles of construction materials for weeks or longer. Consider this when planning when to do the remodeling. Ask the contractor (before you sign the contract) if he will be completely cleaning up the mess in the end, and what you can expect during the process. Will they be providing a bathroom, or will the worker need access to yours? Will there be security issues, like walls that are open to the outside for days? Will you have to chain up your dog or warn the children about dangers?

The bottom line? Avoid these common mistakes and you will probably be happier than most with your home improvements.

Have you ever thought of changing your room’s design? Do you think your porch needs a little makeover? Then it is time for you to make some improvements in your home and create a difference.

Home improvement can add sparkle to a dull wall color, a new shade to a dreary interior design, or vigor to a lifeless porch. It simply pertains to the method of refurbishing or repairing a home.

In most cases, home improvements are executed by an expert. However, with the cost of commodities nowadays, plus the real service fees of “professional handyman,” many people have opted to work on their home improvements through their own initiative.

No wonder why the so-called “do-it-yourself” jobs have been pretty popular. Through this process, homeowners can enjoy renovating their own homes like professionals. There are shops that provide seminars or workshops regarding their products and the way homeowners can operate them at home.

There are many types of home improvements. Each category can provide optimum modernization to one’s home.

However, home improvement package prices may vary. It is best to identify the right measures to save more on home improvements.

Here are some ways on how to cut back on your home improvement costs:

1. Do your research

Before you start on your home improvement project, it is best to do an extensive research about the matter. Try to find out the current prices of home improvement packages available on the market today. It is also best to identify the different factors that can affect the conditions of each type of home improvements.

2. Scout for the best quotes

If you will be hiring a professional repairperson, it is best to look for the best price quotes on home improvements. In this way, you will be able to anticipate the possible rates and charges, which will enable you to prepare the required amount.

3. Do the math

Before you start buying things that you need for your home improvement, it is best to have everything estimated.

Should you decide to seek the services of a professional repairperson, you will know how much it will take you to improve your home. You can’t easily be fooled by any person because you know exactly the cost of expenses.

Besides, having a rough estimate of your home improvement plans will enable you to control your expenses. You can focus on the areas that need to be prioritized. Once you have set a specific budget on it, you can now consider the other areas without having to spend more than what you can afford.

4. Decide whether you can do it yourself or you should hire a professional

If you want to save more on your home improvements, it is best to decide if you can do the project yourself or you really need to hire a professional.

It is unwise to assume that you can do the job just to trim down your expenses, where in fact, you don’t have the slightest idea how to start the job.

Insisting to do the job yourself will only end up to waste or destruction. It is best to hire a professional if you really want to save on your home improvement.

5. Ask for recommendations

Word of mouth is considered as one of the best advertising strategy in marketing. It is also one of the best ways to ask for some help about the things that you are not familiar with.

For example, if you don’t have any idea about home improvements, it is best to ask your friends, relatives, or even colleagues about home improvements.

They can give you some pointers about home improvements based on their own experience. Tried and tested, their idea about home improvements can really help you make a difference.

6. Find the best contractor

If you wish to save on home improvements through contractors, it is best to hire the best. You can do this by checking on your contractor’s capabilities and certifications. In this way, you can be sure that the services you pay are reliable and efficient.

Try to keep these things in mind to save on your home improvement projects. Keep in mind that home improvements need not be expensive. You can beautify your home without having to go overboard.