You recently spent the afternoon watching HGTV. You begin to look around your house and realize it’s in need of an update. Before you go knocking down walls or remodeling your basement, Gemini Wallcovering & Renovations Inc. encourages you to ask yourself a few questions.
1. What’s my improvement budget?
Never start remodeling without figuring out your financials. You don’t want to start a bathroom remodel before you know just how much bathroom you can afford. Set your budget, and then collect bids from multiple contractors to determine who has the best rate, quality materials, and superior service.
2. How long do I plan to stay in the house?
The length of time you plan to occupy a property helps determine how much to remodel and what type of updates to make. For example, if you plan to stay for more than 10 years, you may decide that adding a custom master bathroom is worth the cost. However, if you plan to sell the property in the next year or two, you may want to stay away from custom remodeling options and stick with basic updates that appeal to wide audiences, like removing outdated wallpaper or changing out cabinet hardware.
3. Do I want to make structural or cosmetic updates?
It’s important to know what type of improvements you want to make. Structural changes involve adapting the home’s footprint, such as adding on, knocking out a wall, or reconfiguring your kitchen layout. This type of remodeling typically takes longer and costs more. However, certain structural changes may be necessary to make the home more livable or to increase home value.
Cosmetic changes are surface-level updates such as new paint, updated appliances, new flooring, and so on. While these changes may seem small, they can make a huge difference in your home’s appeal. Note that even though cosmetic changes may not take long to complete, they can still be costly, especially if you choose high-end materials.
4. Can I get a good return on my investment?
You don’t want to put thousands into your home if the cost far outweighs the value it adds to your Virginia home. We recommend that you check out the latest cost versus value report from Remodeling in addition to talking to a local real-estate professional and a general contractor. From there, you can decide which home remodeling options to consider.
5. What can I do—and what should I leave to the pros?
Doing some of the work yourself can save you money, provided you can do it well and in a timely manner. Determine whether you can (and want to) do any of the remodeling yourself, and then hire out the rest.
After answering these questions, contact Gemini of Springfield, VA, at (571) 501-1405 to schedule a free design consultation. Our team will gladly help you determine your remodeling goals and get one step closer to your dream home.