Most homeowners know that certain upgrades to their homes will increase the property’s overall value, but many of these upgrades can be expensive— especially if you have to hire a professional to do them. Some of these projects include a new roof, converting an attic or basement into a functional room, and adding another room to your home.
All of these projects increase property value, but they’re very expensive and require the help of a professional to be done safely and correctly. Fortunately, there are things that you can do yourself to your home that will still increase the property value.
#1: A New Paint Job
Compared to many other home improvement projects, painting is one of the easiest. Start by painting the outside of your home, including window shutters to give it a fresh new look. If you have a multi-story home, exercise great caution when painting or go ahead and hire a professional. However, you should still be very careful about painting your home even if it’s a single-story home.
Don’t limit the new paint job to just the outside of your home. Painting the interior of your home will also increase the property value. You can even experiment with accent walls and even texture, such as board and batten. Another unique idea is to paint the wooden furniture in your home to give your living space an extra pop.
#2: Kitchen Updates
One of the biggest projects that instantly boost your property value is an updated kitchen. Adding on an island requires the help of professional contractors, but you can install kitchen countertops yourself. While you’re installing your new countertops, choose a new backsplash to complement them. You can choose either backsplash tiles (which requires grouting but is still pretty simple), or you can go with wallpaper.
Finally, another new addition to your kitchen that’s simple to do is to upgrade the hardware, such as the knobs on your cabinets and drawers and the faucet on the sink.
#3: Flooring Upgrades
If you have carpet throughout your home, one of the best upgrades you can do for yourself and for your property value is to switch to hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are sturdy and reliable, and they can last for years. They can, however, be difficult to install, but you can also go with laminate flooring or something that resembles hardwood flooring.
Laminate flooring is also highly durable and doesn’t scratch as easily as hardwood floors. They’re also kid and pet friendly, and they don’t trap dust and pet dander like carpet does. Switching from carpet to solid flooring (especially in high traffic areas of your home) also increases the overall air quality in your home.
#4: Backyard Deck Addition
If you’re more on the handy side, consider building a wooden deck on the back or side of your home. This is actually a pretty inexpensive home improvement project, but it adds a lot of value to your home. You’ll need to visit your local hardware store for all of the materials you’ll need— which may include purchasing or renting some specialized tools— If you actually run a handyman business and take on such invasive projects, you may need to rent a work vehicle to make it easier for you to transport your materials and tools from job to job.
While you’re at it (or if you feel you aren’t handy enough to build a deck), consider sprucing up your backyard by planting small trees, flowers, and other shrubberies to increase the aesthetics. This is something that can also be done to your front yard to enhance your curb appeal.
Home improvement projects may seem really expensive, especially if you plan to do more than one project at a time. You should always focus on one project at a time, especially if you’re hiring a contractor for one or more of your projects.
Also, always start with the direst projects first, such as a roof replacement for a leaky roof. Don’t put off projects if doing so can damage your home.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
