Remodeling a home in Marlborough MA can be a very expensive process, and homeowners may wonder if they even need the work done. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to your house that can add value without costing too much money or time.
In general, kitchen remodels have been shown to have a great return on investment for homeowners in Marlborough MA because kitchens tend to get so much use out of them. These days, renovating your kitchen might include anything from simply getting new countertops and appliances up to opening up the heart of the house and adding to it with an open floor plan. It can be a tough decision for homeowners to make, but a good rule is to only include the things you use daily in your remodel – if you don’t cook more than once a month, don’t bother spending money on that fancy stove top.
Kitchens are not the only rooms that can get small updates that bring significant return on investment to Marlborough MA from homeowners. Bathrooms tend to need more work as they age because their beginning materials were less durable, but even this can be done cheaply without too much time or worry about value added. There are so many ways to modernize an old bathroom, from new floors and lighting fixtures to new toilets and vanities. Bathrooms tend to be the most-used rooms in any house, so spending a little bit of money on them can be worth it for homeowners over time. And with something as simple as new tiles throughout the bathroom or countertops and appliances in the kitchen, you might not even need professional help – do some research and see if there are services available locally that can help you out!
Home improvement projects are expensive and time-consuming. So when they come about, you want to make sure that you know exactly what the benefits of such a project will be in the short term and long term. While these kinds of remodeling projects can benefit your home in general, we’ve taken a look at some specific ways that certain projects can improve your home’s value and overall appearance:
1) A new roof
A roof is one of the most important parts of any home. Not only do roofs keep out water, wind, cold air, etc., but they also help insulate your house from heat or cold weather changes outside. Replacing an old roof with a new one greatly enhances the curb appeal of a house. There are also great tax incentives associated with roofs because they can help reduce your energy bill.
2) New windows
New windows are another home improvement project that will enhance the value of your house. Replacing older, inefficient windows with new windows will make your home much more comfortable to live in and also provide you with savings on heating bills throughout the year. The same is true for doors, which can make homes feel cozier and bring down household bills at the same time.
3) Energy-efficient appliances
Modernizing old or outdated appliances like a heater unit or stove brings a home up to speed while increasing efficiency and comfort levels in any residence. This helps create a better overall experience for residents and guests alike while using less energy to achieve it. This is an update that you’ll keep for years, so it’s well worth the money.
4) Painting
Painting your home typically has a nice effect on its value. It can make older homes look brand new again or give them a fresh coat of color if they’d been neglected in previous years. Painting can even be used as a low-cost alternative to selling your home because buyers will often assume that the property was recently painted before being put on the market. If you paint your home before selling or just planning on staying for five more years or more, then this investment pays off over time instead of all at once like most other renovations.
5) New landscaping
Finally, an old or outdated landscaping design can easily date a home. However, planting new trees and flowers helps freshen up your yard while providing you with cleaner air inside the home due to better airflow. The same is true for fences, which help enclose a yard and enhance its overall appeal if they’ve been neglected or need repainting.
As buyers become more concerned about making eco-friendly home purchases, you should consider some of these changes to your Marlborough MA home.
- Install energy-efficient windows and doors
This is one of the best ways to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Replacing any old or drafty windows with new, double-pane models will make a huge difference in how much your furnace runs on those cold fall nights. New exterior doors can also help keep warm air inside during winter months and cool air inside during summer months. If you need any installation done for new windows or doors, be sure to hire an experienced contractor who has experience working with different types of materials. Another change you can consider is getting the vinyl siding installed that will increase your home’s efficiency. This material has been proven to improve heat insulation by 30% and it also reduces the sun’s impact on the inside of your home so you don’t have to run your AC as much.
- Seal air leaks
Sealing air leaks in your house will reduce the amount of energy needed to keep a comfortable temperature level in your home since warm or cool air won’t escape through unsealed spaces. If you need help sealing any cracks or holes, consider hiring an experienced contractor with experience working with different types of materials – for example, some contractors have more experience working with plaster than others do, so they might be better suited to seal up old walls that covered in plaster instead of siding.
- Insulate your water heater
Since the tank of a water heater runs on electricity or natural gas, insulating it can save you money because those fuel sources will last longer and won’t need to be used as much if the water inside stays warm for long periods. It’s usually pretty easy to tell when your water heater needs insulation – if it feels cool to the touch, then chances are it’s losing heat through uninsulated areas around it. You don’t have to hire an expert either – just use duct tape or foam insulation that’s designed for home use to seal up any air gaps near your electric or gas tank until it feels warm again. This is one of the cheapest things you can do so you have nothing to lose by trying it out.
- Install a programmable thermostat
If you feel like your home is too warm or too cold during different parts of the day, then this simple change may be all you need to get on track with making your Marlborough MA home more efficient. A programmable thermostat can detect when no one is at home and will automatically lower the temperature so you’re not wasting any money heating or cooling an empty house – plus, some models come with a few smartphone apps that make it even easier to control while away from home. There’s also a model available that allows for energy-efficient scheduling while you’re at home, so it might be worth looking into if you want to make your house even more energy-efficient.
It is important to first decide what kind of changes would be best for your house and which areas need some work done on them to make them more appealing before investing time, energy, and money into this project, as it will likely take you some time complete all or most of these updates. In the end, you will have a newly remodeled house that is more valuable and even better to live in.
Paint your walls
One of the least expensive ways to give your home a facelift is by painting the interior or exterior of your home. If you don’t want to do all of the painting yourself, there are plenty of companies out there that will provide this service for you at an affordable rate. Also remember, if it’s time for a change, use a bold color on one wall instead of painting the whole room a different shade because this can also make a big difference!
Build-in storage space or utilize existing storage space to its fullest extent available.
Adding built-in storage space will make it much easier for you to store your belongings neatly and effectively. By adding cabinets, shelves, or even just some simple hooks, you can take advantage of all available storage space in your home without making too many renovations. If the thought of building wall units yourself seems daunting, there are plenty of companies that offer this service at an affordable rate as well!
Clear clutter from your home
Sometimes homes can still feel cluttered even if they have a lot of open spaces. The key is to get rid of excess furniture so it doesn’t look like there is more than enough room for each piece. Also consider getting rid of big bulky items you only use every few months such as holiday décor, garden equipment, and even seasonal clothing. This will help make your home look much bigger and cleaner.
Add a fresh coat of paint in your kitchen and bathroom or add some molding to the walls if you need extra touch-ups in these areas.
Bathroom updates can easily be done by simply updating your sink and cabinet hardware, adding new stone countertop with backsplash, replacing shower curtain rods that are rusting or bent, installing new light fixtures such as recessed lighting that won’t take up extra space, or just repainting the walls with a crisp white color!
