Once you have made up your mind to tackle a home renovation project, nothing will stop you. Unfortunately, sometimes you really should step back a minute to plan exactly what you want to accomplish and how you want to get there. Some things you can do as a DIY project and other times you may need to contact the professionals.
Instead of jumping in head first, take the time to draw up just five steps to plan your next home project. Doing so will save you time and money and you’ll be much happier with the end results. With that said, maybe you can’t make up your mind which of the many renovations your home is sorely in need of. Maybe a quick look at these four most popular home renovations today will give you a good place to start.
Nine Most Popular Home Renovation Projects For You
1. Built-in Appliances
Other than your stove or washing machine, there probably isn’t another appliance in your home that is subjected to more wear and tear. With the average lifespan of a dishwasher being only six to 10 years, this is one of the most popular, and necessary, home renovation projects in the U.S. today.
While you might think it’s an easy switch, you’d be surprised at the difference in sizes. If the model you choose is larger or smaller than your current dishwasher, you will need to make modifications in the counter under which it will reside. All of a sudden, a simple project becomes a major event!
2. Attic and Garage Conversions
With the ever-rising cost of real estate, more and more families are seeking to add living space to their current home before making a major investment as would be required when buying a new home.
Thus, attics and garages are being converted to bedrooms, offices, and family rooms. Here is where those five steps to plan your next home project will certainly come in handy. It will be a major project, but it’ll be so rewarding in the end.
3. Windows & Doors
Whether you are looking to add light to your home or greater security, or you’re simply looking to beautify your home, windows and doors are the next in line as a popular home renovation project.
Sometimes this type of renovation can be done as a DIY project and other times you will need a professional window indoor installer. In any case, those lovely new openings to the outside world will make a huge difference in the visual appeal of your home.
4. Floors & Flooring
Another area of a home that is often in need of renovation would be the floors, especially in high-traffic areas. Not only can the floor covering suffer, but sometimes the subfloor and maybe even a joist needs to be repaired or replaced. This can be a major project and the one thing that is highly recommended is that you don’t skimp on materials because your floor really does take a lot of abuse. Quality is extremely important when it comes to flooring.
Once again, taking up a home renovation project can be extremely exciting as well as rewarding. However, don't skip any steps when planning your project. Whether in an attempt to save money or because you are excited to get things done to admire the final outcome, skipping any one of those five steps of planning can have devastating consequences.
5. Plumbing Fixtures
There are so many really good plumbing modifications you can make these days and some are much more popular than others. You can change the traditional sink with a beautiful vessel sink. Maybe you would want to have a freestanding tub inside your bathroom.
Regardless of your choices, the truth is that plumbing upgrades are highly cost-effective when it comes to upgrading bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, or kitchens. You do not need a complete overhaul and your money will be very well spent. Millions of homeowners upgrade plumbing fixtures every year and they spend an average of $1,360 on their renovations.
6. Water Heaters
Upgrading your water heater is a necessity from time to time. There are many different signs that this is something you have to do, ranging from rumbling noises to rusty water. The water heater is practically close to the end of the work cycle when such signs appear. Most pressure washing companies grow and expand by investing in good quality pressure washer trailers. You'll see exactly why truck mounted back-to-back power washers are a far better choice. The same can be said for water heater mounted power washers.
The big problem is most people believe replacing the water heater is not a good idea since it is very expensive. This is not actually correct. In reality, the average investment is around $1,000. So it is more than worth it. After all, getting a new water heater offers a lot of comfort.
7. Walls And Fencing
Outside property barriers like garden walls and fences have different purposes. The obvious one is that they mark your property line but they also do wonders when it comes to keeping children and pets contained, preserving privacy, and deterring intruders.
The average expense you should expect when you change your fencing is around $2,400. And if you choose to make this upgrade, you also drastically increase curb appeal.
8. Roofing
When it comes to home renovation projects, roofing is something we do not really think about since we are talking about pretty high average costs. However, if the roof is damaged, there is not much that you can do but fix it. The average expense you should expect when you want to replace or repair your roof is $7,700.
This is why we are talking about the home improvement project that is the most expensive for homeowners in USA right now. But, not much can be done and roofs have to be repaired to protect the home.
9. Irrigation And Landscaping
Regardless of property size, when you have greenery and you want to keep it lush, you put in a lot of money, time, and effort. What is particularly important is making sure the yard is well-watered. If this is not the case, it will not be attractive.
Statistics show us that almost 3 million US homeowners invest in their sprinkler and landscaping system every year, with the average expense being $2,500. And the investment will pay itself out soon.
