What you should consider when you invest in remodelling a home
There comes a point in the life cycle of every home when you look around and decide that you just hate everything.
That is likely the first symptom of a little thing called remodeling fever.
We’ve all been there, don’t worry! The kids might be that bit older and you want to repair some of the damage that’s built up. Or maybe they’re still too young to actually smash holes through the wall so you want to get prepared (good luck!)
Or of course it could be nothing to do with them at all. Maybe you’ve come into an unexpected cash windfall, or perhaps you want a project to sink your teeth into over the summer.
It doesn’t matter, because the truth is there are as many reasons to consider a home remodelling as there are actually ways to tackle it – and areas to invest in. So when there are so many options, which is the best?
The real answer to that question is that the best home remodeling plan is the one that is best for you. That doesn’t help much though, does it?
Well, let’s take a look at some of the best areas to invest in when you are considering a home remodeling.
The Loft
Building up can often be a more sensible way of remodelling a home than building out and looking for an extension. Planning permission can often be easier to attain for loft conversions and the process can (but not always) be cheaper and simpler.
Even if you don’t have the capital for a complete conversion right now, you can still invest a smaller budget in the loft for long-term gains. Loft insulation in particular can be a great long-term investment, with poorly insulated lofts being a real money drain in terms of wasted energy.
If storage is an issue around the home, simple boarding in the loft can be a cost-effective solution to that too.
The Backyard
Home remodelling doesn’t have to be centred on the home itself of course. A good place to invest your money could be out in the back yard.
It could be something as simple as paying a gardener to trim back shrubs, trees and overgrown borders (essentially a haircut for the garden). Or it could be bringing in a pro landscaper for a complete overhaul.
Either way, this remodelling project can also be a lifesaver for the smaller house. Many of us don’t seem to consider the backyard as an extra room of the home, which may be because we don’t like our gardens as they currently are.
Take the time and money to invest in it however, and you are essentially creating an extra room in the house – albeit maybe only for the 6 weeks or so of summer we get!
The Security
Another area, like the backyard, that people seldom think of investing in during a remodelling project is the home security system. Now, you could go out and buy an 8 stone Rottweiler, but think of the food bills.
Instead, invest in a high-tech watchdog by installing monitored CCTV. If you haven’t heard of this relatively new technology, don’t worry, it’s lovely and straightforward. It operates like a normal CCTV system, except the network is connected to a control room. When you’re away from home (or asleep at night) you activate the system and if a burglar trips the motion detectors, a live feed is beamed to a human being in the control room who can intervene.
So it’s just like having a watchdog – except this one can’t be distracted by a string of sausages.
The Kitchen
Possibly the quintessential remodelling project is to put in a new kitchen – and in our opinion, with good reason.
This is after all a room with an incredibly high degree of functionality, so above all it needs to work. To a certain extent, you can put up with little issues in the living room or the bedrooms – but in the kitchen, small problems like that stupid drawer that never opens properly, or the fact you can’t plug in the radio and the microwave at the same time can quickly start to grate on your nerves (no pun intended).
That’s why a home remodeling that centres on the kitchen makes sense as a long-term investment. By putting in the money – and putting up with the actual building work, however long it takes – you can craft a room that not only looks good, but is a great place to be in, and is easy to use. That’s a degree of function and appearance that no other part of the home has, which is why your remodeling money goes so far in this room.
At the end of the day of course, these are just suggestions. You will have your own ideas and your plans when it comes to remodeling your home. Whether you agree with this list, if one of these entries has piqued your interest or you’re still determined to blow the whole remodel budget on that Hot Tub for the garden, we wish you the best of luck!
