When renovating your home, especially when it is older, you can come across unplanned expenses and issues. Whether it is bringing an old building up to code or addressing unaddressed damage, renovations can be a mystery.
Here are some things to consider adding to your home during your renovation process
- Egress Windows
If there is a basement in the home you are remodeling these are some things to look out for. Egress windows have become a standard required in the construction of new homes and buildings to make sure they are up to code. In most older homes egress windows do not exist, but it is important to remember to add them to your new renovation. Egress windows are typically added to finished basements and are designed to be just large enough for emergency exits and entrances.
- Finished Basement
On the topic of basements, if you are remodeling a home without a finished basement you should definitely consider investing in this space. Refinishing your basement gives you additional finished square footage which can push your home into a higher price bracket. This also has a 70% return on your investment.
- Structural Integrity
When remodeling a home it is important to take a look at what is holding the place up. As the house ages, its structural integrity can sometimes come into question. It is important to check the foundation and the soil of the house you are renovating. Even if it is not an immediate problem, you want to make sure you have an understanding of what you are living on. You can see a problem before it happens or you can fix a major issue before you do all the nice upgrades to your home.
- Upgrading energy efficiency
Remodeling your home is a great time to improve the energy efficiency of your home. A few common ways to do this are upgrading your HVAC system, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and replacing the windows and insulation. The initial cost is an investment, but your overall savings with these upgrades will benefit you in the long term. Another small change that makes a big difference is lighting. Upgrading the light bulbs throughout your home to new LED bulbs will make a difference in your electricity usage.
- Increase Your Curb Appeal
One area that could be set aside is curb appeal. When renovating your home it is easy to spend most of your time focusing on the inside of your home. It is important to think about the exterior of the home as well. Having a fully remodeled interior and no work done on the exterior can be a bad look. Especially for resale value, you want the home to
Final thoughts:
Every home renovation will be different. Every home has its quirks, its faults, and its benefits. These are just some of the areas that can be overlooked throughout the process. The important thing to note is, you need to evaluate your home before you begin your renovation process. Renovating a home is a fun and exciting process. Do not get bogged down in the process. Enjoy making your home, your home.