A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT

Article by Seth Murphy

Tackling home improvement projects on a house you are about to sell can seem complicated. You have to anticipate what buyers want, make your house seem as universally appealing as possible and may not have the satisfaction of using your redecorated spaces.

Nevertheless, it’s worth it. The average home improvement can increase the value of your home by 9 percent. Depending on what projects you do, you may not have to spend that much money to get your house looking in top shape. Here are the main home improvement projects you need to consider if you want to increase the value of your property...

Do the Bare Minimum

There are some fixes you should make before putting your house on the market. These include patching up any holes, fixing any defective plumbing or electrical features and replacing anything stained or damaged. Most of these are easy to do yourself and don’t require much DIY.

A good piece of advice is to view other houses in your area that are for sale: How do they compare to yours? What have they recently upgraded? Once you have an idea, make a list of what you need to do to your house to make it competitive.

Know The Most Valuable Upgrades

Not all home upgrades are created equal. Some are known to bring more value to your home than others. At the same time, you need to consider your budget. Home improvement is an investment, and you need to make sure you are spending your time and money wisely.

According to a 2014 survey, the home improvement with the best return on investment (96.6 percent) is simply adding a new front door. Other strong contenders were an attic conversion and minor kitchen remodeling. 

To DIY or Not to DIY

There’s no shame in calling in a professional, even if you are a DIYer. In a 2015 survey, 56 percent of surveyed DIYers admitted they were planning on using a professional contractor for an upcoming project. 

The Splurge has a handy table that recommends when to call a professional and when to do it yourself. Of course, this depends widely on your experience and how comfortable you are doing certain activities. As a general rule, even relative DIY novices can get away with doing basic plumbing and electrical jobs, installing floors, tiling, and of course, painting and decorating.

Avoid These Key Mistakes
There are a few rookie mistakes to avoid when remodeling your home. First of all, make sure you get a permit for any major renovations. Many buyers are not interested in buying a house that had work done without a permit. Permits are an additional expense and can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Secondly, be smart about budgeting. Always leave some room in your budget for unexpected complications and be realistic about your costs. Also, don’t skimp on materials when it comes to planning your budget. Cheap, unreliable materials do not pay off in the long run. You are better off planning for the worst than being overly conservative in your estimates and being out of money a few months down the line.

Finally, be safe. If you are going to DIY, wear all the recommended protective equipment. People get injured during home improvements projects, and you are not immune. Learn correct lifting technique if you are going to be working with heavy objects and always get someone to help you if you think you might have trouble doing something by yourself. 




Seth Murphy first got into doing DIY projects to save money, but over time he has developed a real passion for this hands-on, intensive work. Seth created PapaDIY.com to share tips and help others with their own endeavours.

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