Home renovations are one of the most important decisions a homeowner can make—whether improving a home for personal living or for increasing a home for resale value. With so much to choose from, knowing the types of renovations available can be the key to effectively planning and getting the best bang for your buck. In this article, we will review the four main types of home renovations: cosmetic, structural, functional, and energy efficiency/safety, and discuss their respective advantages and disadvantages in terms of costs.
You are not tired of lifting your house and squeezing into your home in order to do your house. This can include small changes such as repainting some walls or larger ones such as adding another floor.
So why do homeowners remodel? The reasons vary. Some are looking to make their home more comfortable, other seek to raise resale value, while many seek to improve their home for energy efficiency or safety. Whatever the reason, renovations make a way to revitalize your home.
| Type of Renovation | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Focus on improving appearance without altering the structure. | Painting, wallpapering, replacing fixtures and appliances | |
| Involves changing the layout or structure of a building. | Adding new rooms, moving walls, installing new windows | |
| Aimed at increasing resale value by fixing structural issues and enhancing design flow. | Roof repairs, plumbing fixes, interior design improvements. | |
| Improvements to reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability. | Insulation upgrades, solar panel installations | |
| Enhance exterior appearance to attract buyers or improve aesthetic appeal. | Landscaping, exterior painting, new siding |
Cosmetic Renovations
Definition and Examples
Cosmetic renovations are the easiest — and generally the cheapest — type of home improvement. These are cosmetic changes that make it look better but don’t change the makeup of your home.
Examples include:
- Putting new paint on walls or the outside of the house.
- Replacing light fixtures or installing sleek hardware.
- Refinishing hardwood floors or replacing carpet.
- Framing fresh curtains, blinds, or décor
One of the greatest things about cosmetic renovations is that they’re often friendly to do-it-yourselfers. Repainting a room or replacing old cabinet handles, for example, is something most homeowners can do with a handful of tools and a little elbow grease.
Benefits and cost-effectiveness
The beauty of cosmetic renovations is that they’re relatively inexpensive and can be done in no time. Here’s what’s so appealing about them:
- Makeover Appeal: A new paint job or a landscaping upgrade can instantly give your home a makeover.
- Cost-Friendly: Cosmetic makeovers deliver a high visual impact, yet low expense.
- Increases Property Value: Even small renovations can increase buyer appeal for potential owners.
For example, a Zillow study showed homes with freshly painted front doors sold for an average of $6,000 more than predicted.
Renovations: Structural
Definition and Examples
Structural renovations: Changes that affect the framework of your home. These renovations tend to be more complex and require a professional such as a contractor or architect.
- Structural renovations may involve the following:
- Constructing a new room or extending a current one
- Altering the layout of your home (such as knocking down walls to create an open floor plan).
Adding a garage or finishing an attic.
These sorts of renovations are generally required when you’re short on square footage, or when you want to breathe new life into an outdated dwelling to bring it up to modern living standards.
Challenges and Rewards
Structural renovations can be tricky, but the payoff is generally worth the hassle.
Challenges:
- Increased Expenses: Structural changes will necessitate more materials and highly-skilled labor, leading to increased costs.
- Permits and Zoning: Depending on your area, you may have to obtain permits for structural changes, which can impact the timeline.
- Disruption: These projects take weeks or months, and parts of your home will be off-limits during construction.
Rewards:
- Increased Living Space: A new bedroom, a larger kitchen, etc., these are things that make the house more functional.
- Increased Resale Value: Structural renovations typically deliver a greater ROI when it comes to selling your home.
- Use Functional Renovations (Kitchen & Bathroom)
Importance in Resale Value
In the realm of functional renovations, kitchens and bathrooms are the headliners. These areas are not only important for day-to-day use, but they also have a huge impact on the resale value of your home.
A renovated kitchen or bathroom can add considerable value to your property, say real estate experts. A minor kitchen remodel yields an average ROI of about 72%, while a midrange bathroom remodel averages around 60% ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report.
Popular Upgrades
Let’s look through the upgrades that would need to be made in each space:
Kitchen Upgrades
- New Appliances: Replacing older appliances with energy-efficient options will decrease utility costs and enhance performance.
- Cabinetry: Giving your kitchen a sleek, updated look can be as simple as replacing or refacing cabinets.
- Flooring: Laminate or tile provide durability and style for kitchens.
Bathroom Upgrades
- Luxury Tiles: Feature high-end wall or floor tiles.
- Lighting: Adding LED or recessed lighting can bring a spa experience.
- Fixtures: Old faucets can be upgraded to high-end fixtures.
Renovations for Energy Efficiency & Safety
Question 1: What have you learned that has made you more successful in energy efficiency projects?
- The demand for energy efficiency renovations are on the rise, as owners of residential properties seek to reduce both their utility bills and environmental impacts.
- Common energy-efficient upgrades include:
- HVAC System Upgrades: Upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.
Insulation Improvements: Installation or upgrading insulation in walls, attics and basements helps keep indoor temperatures.
Advantages of energy-efficient renovations:
- Lower energy bills.
- Reduced carbon footprint.
- Tax credits or rebates for green upgrades
Safety Enhancements
Safety renovations are as vital, especially if the home is older. These upgrades will center on keeping your family safe and your home enjoying current building code standards.
- Safety improvements include:
- Senior Management of Facility Services: Security Team
Electrical Improvements:When you need to tear out old wiring or put in circuit breakers to avoid electrical fires.
Safety Renovations Benefits:
The comfort of knowing your home is protected.
Local regulations compliance.
Conclusion
That why knowing the kinds of renovations is important when deciding about home improvement. Whether you’re interested in a simple cosmetic refresh, looking to make a significant structural alteration, wanting to remodel your kitchen or your bathroom, or aiming for energy efficiency and safety, each type has its benefits.
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