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Many home improvement projects
begin with someone in the household saying, "Wouldn't
it be nice if...?"
Assuming that they're not just muttering the old Beach Boys
song about living together, they may then lament the fact
that there's no island in the kitchen, or not enough counter
space, or that the cupboards are made of cheap particleboard
instead of oak. It may be a wish for hardwood floors, or for
a new paint job. Whatever it is, it's likely that reality
will intrude: There's only so much money and so much space.
If you want to turn at least some of these dreams into reality,
then you should start by evaluating your reasons for doing
these things.
Most homeowners consider home improvements for one of the
following reasons:
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You
need to update the out-of-date. Sure, you may wait
75 years until fifties-green linoleum is back in style,
but now may be the time to make it current. |
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You need to
replace major appliances or plumbing. If the sink,
tub, or toilet has to be replaced, many people take
the opportunity to refurbish the entire bathroom.
And if you're going to have to bash through a wall
anyhow to get to that leaking pipe, maybe it's time
to think of wallpapering or repainting. |
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You're selling
your home. You want to be sure you'll get top dollar
from the sale of your home, and that may be the rallying
cry for some home improvement projects that you've
been hemming and hawing over for some years. |
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You're staying
put. You thought about moving, but now you realize
that improving your present home is a better option.
Commitment spawns industry. |
Improving to Move or Improving
to Stay
Once you've decided that you're improving your home to put
it on the market, cutting corners could hurt rather than help
your prospects. On the other hand, you don't want to go overboard.
Potential buyers may not want to pay for the extras you have
included, so keep changes simple. Also keep in mind that people
viewing your house may not share your tastes and therefore
won't necessarily appreciate the time and effort you put into
finding just the right shade of green paint for the walls
or decorating your kitchen with hand-painted Portuguese tiles.
Even if you're remodeling in order to stay in your home, you
still need to avoid over-improving it. Here you might place
more emphasis on the kinds of things that will give you pleasure
over the years. Keep in mind, though, that you'll probably
sell someday, and even if your house is the best on the block,
you may have a hard time persuading buyers to pay extra for
the things you found so important. Keep the value of other
homes in the area in mind whenever you consider improvements.
Remember the old saw: "Buy the worst home in the best
neighborhood rather than the best home in the worst neighborhood."
Your home's value should be no more than 20% above the average.
That means a $10,000 kitchen improvement project might be
a better idea than a $30,000 pool, especially if no other
homes in your area have pools.
In most cases, the cost of an improvement isn't recouped in
the sales price. Redoing a kitchen may help sell the house,
but a seller should never expect to get 100% of the cost back
in the sale. It's usually much less.
If you're remodeling the kitchen, ask yourself if you can
handle the plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work. And don't
forget that you need to finish it all quickly, because in
the meantime you'll be without a kitchen. Hiring people who
have experience can save you money and time, too. For example,
these professionals can help you get a custom look using stock
products, and that can be a significant savings. Getting something
done right -- the first time -- will give you value that lasts
for years.
Some furniture and home improvement stores have free design
services. Depending on your needs, this may appeal to you.
(The benefit to the store is that you'll spend money on their
furniture or cabinetry.)
Finding the Professionals
Word-of-mouth is a good way to start looking for home improvement
specialists. Check with friends, business associates, and
neighbors for recommendations. Always ask for at least three
references -- and check them out. Check, too, with your local
chapter of the Better Business Bureau. You can find the number
in the community services section of your telephone book.
Make sure everyone is in agreement about design, schedule,
and budget. Get the details down in writing in a signed contract.
You'd also be wise to check on professional certifications
and state licenses, where required, and insist that any contractors
you hire are fully insured and bonded. Contact your town or
city building department for information. In particular, make
sure contractors carry workers' compensation insurance so
that if any workers are injured on the job, you won't be held
liable. Ask for a copy of their insurance certificates. Also
make sure that you or the contractor secure any necessary
permits before beginning the work. Contact your local planning
and zoning commission for information.
The largest home improvements tend to be those that actually
make the home larger. We're talking about home additions,
and we'll now go into greater detail on the specifics of hiring
and working with contractors. |
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