Sometimes, people’s homes need an update. The house, often the most permanent and long-term asset people have, is designed to provide a stable and secure environment for you. It has everything you need, ensuring convenience, comfort, and protection with its initial design. Besides a few household chores, home additions, and maintenance and repair tasks, nothing might be necessary to change for your home for about 10 to 20 years. However, there might be a time in your life when your residential property requires a major renovation.
Homeowners know that upgrading the entire home is a big ask. It can be financially draining, time-consuming, and inconvenient, especially considering how busy they can be with their responsibilities at work and for their respective families. According to Architectural Digest, a whole house renovation can reach up to $250 per square foot, totaling a national average of over $48,000. Moreover, total home renovations can take months, especially when segmenting the plan per room.
However, renovating your home has plenty of benefits despite high costs. An updated room can boost convenience, comfort, and energy efficiency compared to an outdated one. An improved home system can prevent you from performing costly and constant maintenance tasks. A modernized home can provide a more aesthetic environment while increasing your real estate value. Those reasons are enough to warrant a major renovation, and here are a few you should not forget.
New Flooring
Renovations come into mind when homeowners notice that a home feature suffers from wear and tear or flaws. Most are visible on the surface, and no feature is more visible than the home floors. Your floors will receive significant damage from dragging furniture, spilling beverages, falling items, and more. Those activities will lead to stains, scratches, marks, cracks, and holes, all requiring your attention to fix. While home floors are often durable despite those damages, there might come a time when repairs are essential. Short-term solutions like patches and mindfulness of flaws can be helpful, but you might want to consider the long-term task of replacing particular home floors.
Changing floors is a major renovation. Once you identify where to upgrade flooring, you must consider that area unusable until the project is completed. You can move furniture and appliances to a temporary area to ensure the entire room can receive proper inspection. Identifying the flooring material to use will be essential, and there are many to choose from according to the space you want to change. The living room can benefit from a hardwood floor, a classic choice because of its timeless aesthetic that matches other living room flooring essentials like carpets and rugs. Kitchens and bathrooms, meanwhile, can benefit from tiles. The flooring option has water-resistant features, which is common in both those rooms. You can benefit from laminated flooring for your bedroom, ensuring that cleaning and maintenance are easier to accomplish.
Once the flooring material gets finalized, you can start removing the existing floors to install the new ones. While it is possible to perform DIY installations, you might want to hire a professional to help you. Flooring experts have the experience and tools to do the job without retakes. They also guarantee that reinstallation will not cost money when they make mistakes. A floor replacement project can cost up to $3,750 and takes about one to three days, justifying its status as a major renovation. However, when completed, you will immediately see the difference it can make in a room’s aesthetics.
Kitchen Remodel
When discussing a major renovation, homeowners immediately think of a kitchen remodel. Often touted as a home’s most expensive improvement project, renovating a kitchen often remains on the back burner in a homeowner’s list of priorities. A whole kitchen update can reach up to $40,500, enough to turn anyone away. However, it is necessary because an outdated kitchen can cause more expenses and inconvenience. Old appliances that take too much electricity to run or too many repairs to keep functioning, storage solutions that can no longer carry the number of kitchen essentials a growing family needs, fixtures that need constant maintenance, and a constantly alarming gas hazard are only a few of the problems you can fix when you decide to upgrade.
A full-scale overhaul can take up to three months, but you can strategize your kitchen remodeling project to shorten it or to be able to use it. You can start by designing the new layout of the area to check if you need to move or replace a few appliances. The step can ensure you can keep electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems at an optimal level where you don’t need to adjust them completely. You can seek help from a kitchen remodeling company to help you with the plan. Rerouting those home systems will be a top priority when you want to update the area to modern standards, significantly when changing from gas-powered appliances to electrical ones.
Once you finish that step, you can begin making changes to the fixtures and storage solutions. The sink might belong to the kitchen countertop, often the centerpiece of modern kitchens. You can get sink replacement services to help you adjust and improve the essential fixtures for cleaning ingredients and silverware. Storage solutions will also require improvement. Cabinet companies can create new drawers and even a hidden pantry during your kitchen remodel, ensuring you have more space to make cooking fun. When changing appliances, you must consider energy-efficient selections with smart home technology features that provide maximum convenience and efficiency when using the area.
A full kitchen remodel can be a major renovation with expensive attachments, but it will be worth it in the long run. Besides the convenience and comfort you can get, your project can get the best returns on investment. According to a study by Zillow, a kitchen remodel’s ROI settles within the 70-80% range, highest among other room renovations. Consider a kitchen upgrade if you want to ensure your home improvement is worth it.
Update Piping
A well-maintained and efficient plumbing system is essential to a functional home. Often overlooked, the plumbing plays a crucial role in ensuring a seamless flow of water and preventing potential disasters like leaks and water damage. When considering a major renovation, homeowners tend to forget the hidden network of pipes that keep the home running smoothly. Neglecting the plumbing system during a major renovation can lead to many issues, from reduced water pressure to costly repairs down the line. This oversight can compromise the overall success and longevity of the renovation.
One of the critical aspects of a major renovation that should not be forgotten is home repiping services. Upgrading the piping is essential, especially when renovating areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens, where water usage is exceptionally high. Old and deteriorating pipes can hinder the performance of new fixtures and appliances, limiting their efficiency and lifespan. By investing in modern, durable piping materials, homeowners not only enhance the overall functionality of their plumbing system but also reduce the risk of leaks and water damage. Additionally, upgrading piping during a major renovation ensures compliance with current building codes and standards, providing peace of mind and long-term reliability.
A New Roof
Many homeowners may go their entire lives without undertaking roof replacements, primarily due to the perceived inconvenience, cost, and disruption it brings. The roof, though a critical component of a home’s structural integrity, often remains overlooked until signs of wear and tear become too apparent to ignore. As time progresses, exposure to the elements, harsh weather conditions, and the natural aging process can take a toll on a roof, requiring a major renovation to ensure the longevity and safety of the entire property.
When addressing roofing issues, homeowners might be tempted to opt for minor fixes or repairs instead of a complete roof replacement. However, delaying the inevitable can lead to more extensive damage and higher costs in the long run. Homeowners often underestimate the impact a deteriorating roof can have on their property. To avoid the pitfalls of procrastination, homeowners should consider consulting a reputable roof repair company to assess the condition of their roof. These professionals can provide expert guidance on whether a roof replacement is necessary and can offer solutions tailored to the home’s specific needs, ensuring a more efficient and durable outcome. The expertise and experience of a roofer guarantee quality craft and alleviate the burden on homeowners, making the process more manageable and less disruptive.
A roof replacement project can cost up to $10,000 and take up to a week to finish, especially when removing the existing shingles. However, the new roof can last for decades and even a person’s lifetime, making it a worthy project to consider at least once. Homeowners might have to vacate the premises when the project is underway. Still, you can expect better protection from harsh external threats with a new, professionally installed roof.
Fresh Landscape
Curb appeal plays a pivotal role in creating a lasting first impression of a home. When embarking on a major renovation project, it is crucial not to overlook the impact of an outdated landscape on the overall curb appeal. Neglecting a home’s exterior may undermine the efforts put into enhancing its interiors. A poorly maintained or obsolete landscape can make a property look neglected and uninviting, diminishing its market value and potentially deterring prospective buyers or guests.
To revitalize and update the landscaping during a major renovation, homeowners can consider several vital strategies. Introducing a variety of plantings, including vibrant flowers, shrubs, and seasonal foliage, adds color and texture to the outdoor space. Additionally, incorporating sustainable landscaping practices, such as water-efficient irrigation systems and native plants, reduces environmental impact and promotes a low-maintenance and eco-friendly outdoor environment. Trees are also vital to maintaining fresh scenery, so hiring tree arborists is necessary. Those experts can ensure that trees are well-maintained, not a threat to the home’s structural integrity when uprooted, and match the landscaping design that contributes to a better curb appeal.
New HVAC
Homeowners do not consider HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system upgrades a major renovation, primarily because these upgrades are not as visually apparent as a new kitchen or a freshly painted living room. Unlike aesthetic changes, the inner workings of an HVAC system remain hidden behind walls and ceilings, leading to a common misconception that if it’s not seen, it doesn’t need attention. However, outdated systems can increase energy bills, create poor indoor air quality, and cause unreliable temperature control. By investing in a new HVAC system, homeowners ensure a more pleasant living environment and pave the way for long-term cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
Professional expertise is crucial for a seamless and effective installation when considering an HVAC upgrade. Engaging the services of a reputable HVAC company ensures that the new system is ideal for the home, maximizing energy efficiency and preventing unnecessary strain on the equipment. Additionally, professional installers have the knowledge and experience to address any unforeseen challenges during the installation process. Furthermore, working with a certified air conditioning repair service guarantees that the new HVAC system meets safety standards and local building codes.
Insurance
Homeowners often overlook the importance of securing adequate insurance coverage because of the flurry of design decisions and construction plans. Many individuals assume that their existing homeowners insurance policy will automatically extend to cover the renovation project. Unfortunately, this misconception can lead to significant financial risks and complications in the event of unforeseen incidents.
A standard homeowners insurance policy may not provide sufficient coverage for the unique risks associated with a major renovation. Renovation projects inherently introduce new vulnerabilities, such as increased exposure to theft, vandalism, and accidents on the construction site. However, you can talk with your insurance provider to ensure your plans are included in the coverage, even if it means making additional payments to your premium.
A major renovation can go a long way for your home’s functionality, aesthetics, and overall market value. However, it is your personal lifestyle where the benefits lie the most. If you want to ensure your home is ideal for you and your family, you can start with these projects. However, it would help if you did not forget the essentials when improving your home.
