At some point, every home needs renovating. Everything begins to run down with time, and a home is no exception. Additionally, styles and tastes change. While renovations are necessary, they can be costly and disruptive. Because of that, it is important to know when remodeling is needed. Here are some situations where renovations are necessary or even urgent.
Increase Home Value
If you are considering selling your home, upgrades will increase the value and allow you to list your house at a higher price. If it has been a while since your home has been updated, you will also want to do some renovation in order to attract potential buyers. There are several areas of improvement that can give you the most bang for your buck. If your roof is at the end of its life expectancy, you should have it replaced. Beautifying your landscape will increase curb-appeal and can raise the value of your home by 15%. Painting the interior and exterior of your house with a neutral color is a definite selling point. Additionally, floors, kitchens, and bathrooms should be updated and in excellent condition.
Fix Major Issues
When something breaks, fix it! That is the mantra, and it definitely applies to your house. Your home is both your sanctuary and a solid financial investment, and it should be maintained for both reasons. To preserve the structural integrity and functionality of your home, you need to make repairs or renovate as needed, or more damage can accrue. Leaky roofs will damage ceilings, drywall, and floors. Structural problems can lead to sinking floorboards and major cracks. Rotting window frames allow moisture and pests to invade. Leaky toilets can ruin floors and ceilings. A properly maintained home is a home that increases in value over time.
Accommodate a Growing Family
As your family grows, it may become necessary to expand your space. Moving to a larger house is not always the best option for a lot of reasons, and you can fulfill your family’s needs with a renovation project. This could be in the form of additions, finishing unfinished spaces, or doing some creative reallocation of space. Whether you choose to build a home addition, convert your garage into living space, finish a basement, or increase the number of rooms by adding a wall, you will need to do some remodeling. This gives you the space you need without uprooting your family.
Increase Convenience
Sometimes, your needs change and your home no longer serves you in the ways you need it to. The reasons for this are as varied as individual homeowners themselves. It could be that, as your children grow and leave the house, you need an office more than you need a bedroom. Maybe your appliances are beginning to break down. An outdated kitchen often fails to provide the same conveniences as an updated one. Old cabinetry is notorious for providing insufficient storage. Many new cabinets come with modern, useful features. For example, pull out shelves minimize frustration when you need to grab ingredients from your cabinets. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself inordinately inconvenienced by an aspect of your home, it is probably time to remodel.
Modernize
Eventually, designs go out of style and no longer foster joy. Your home should be a place that you want to be, where you feel comfortable inviting guests, and where you feel peace. Outmoded interior design can be a real downer. If your house still sports green shag carpet, floor to ceiling dark wood paneling, bright pink toilets and sinks, pea green kitchen appliances, or any other design aspect that brings you down, then you should consider remodeling. You deserve to live in a space that feeds your soul. Other areas that are inexpensive and easy to update are light and plumbing fixtures. Changing these out might be all you need to improve the appearance of your home.
Address Safety Issues
Sometimes, parts of your home need remodeling simply because they present a safety hazard. Sagging or narrow steps pose a risk of falls. Buckled carpeting is a tripping hazard. Your home may have been fitted with an electrical system that is no longer safe. Stair railings might fail to meet modern safety standards. If your house was built before 1978, you might have lead in your paint. One way to assess these dangers and more is to have your home inspected by a professional home inspector. It is suggested that homeowners have this done annually. A home inspector will be able to pinpoint unsafe areas that you are unaware of.
Increase Efficiency
Many people desire to increase the efficiency of their home. For some, this is because they are hoping to reduce their carbon footprint and become more eco-friendly. For others, the main concern is financial savings. Adding skylights, maximizing electrical lights, increasing insulation, updating plumbing, installing solar panels, and purchasing new, high-efficiency appliances are some effective ways to do this. Taking these steps will help save the planet and significantly reduce your energy and water bills.
Provide At-Home Recreation
The pandemic has taught the world that sometimes, you can’t rely on external services to provide your family with the entertainment or recreation that it needs. In the wake of Covid-19, more and more families are turning their homes into recreational destinations. This looks different for each family, but it could include building a pool, a pickleball court, or a basketball court. Maybe you have realized the need for a home gym, a skate ramp, or a putting green. Perhaps you just need to create a Zen garden where you can go to be rejuvenated. Indoors, you could make a home theater or arcade. If you plan it right, you can create a home that your family will never want to leave!
If you find yourself perpetually thinking about renovating some part of your home, that is probably the universe telling you that it is time. Maybe there is damage that will only get worse if you wait. Maybe your interior design is seriously affecting your mood. Or maybe you keep tripping on the living room carpet. Whatever it is, you deserve to have a home that is safe, sound, beautiful, and functional.