Aug 24 2008
Determining the Best Home Improvement Investments
One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to determine the best home improvement investments. Starting off with the best home improvement investments that will yield the biggest return in increased value, as well as comfort and appeal is a good place to start. These investments can entail major renovations, minor remodeling or be strictly cosmetic.
Selecting Projects
Selecting the best home improvement projects is a key factor once a decision is made regarding which best home improvement investments will be implemented. Older homes, especially frame houses, may require projects that will upgrade or modernize it versus a new home that might require only minor renovations or cosmetic improvements. The end result of any improvements made include increased value and improved functionality of the home.
Major Improvement Projects
Projects to consider when looking for the best home improvement investments fall into several categories with major improvements heading the list. This type of project can be interior or exterior with such projects as completely redoing the floors in ceramic tile, refinishing a basement or turning a carport into an enclosed garage.
Minor Improvement Projects
Just as important as major improvements minor improvement projects can be something as simple as remodeling the bathroom to include a tiled shower area. Another project can involve adding a security system including outdoor lighting. Along with the security system, have security doors and burglar bars installed.
Outside Improvement Projects
There are numerous outside projects that can be considered as best home improvement investments. These types of projects range from creating an ornamental pool and patio or building a deck and adding a spa to installing a swimming pool, building a sun room, screened porch or atrium. To be environmentally friendly installing a drip irrigation system to water plants and vegetables will save money as this type of system saves more water than traditional watering with a hose by 50 percent. Landscape the yard and create brick walkways throughout.
Environmental Improvement Projects
With the condition of the environment and how we interact and impact it being a major concern, any improvement that will make your home energy efficient and eco-friendly would also be on the list of best home improvement investments. These types of improvements could involve projects such as adding solar panels to the home to generate electricity or heat water, adding an additional full or half bathroom with water saving fixtures and replacing windows with dual glazed for better insulation.
With the return of warmer weather, homeowners often plan home improvement projects and many look for ways to do them with minimal impact on the environment.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 44 percent of the average home’s total energy use. Replacing old and leaky windows with energy efficient models [...]
Home owners should start with a home energy assessment / audit before any home renovations. Many local utilities are providing them for free; other wise they cost around $350 from an accredited firm.
We had one done on our home last fall and not only learned much about energy conservation in the home, we received recommendations that were specific to our home, easy to understand charts and graphs, and more.
We have written about the energy audit report we received so others can learn.
Knowing what can be done to a home to conserve energy, the costs and the benefits of the energy conservation related activity or costs help a home owner make the best decision for them on which home renovation project to undertake.
Dan