Focus Magazine of SWFL Cheers To Your Style | Page 108
Deliver
Big Home Value
FAMILY FEATURES
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects can significantly add
comfort, improve functionality and increase the home’s resale
value. Whichever reason drives homeowners to complete an
improvement project, they need to pick one that also delivers a
return on investment.
“Many homeowners believe that they need to take on a full-scale
remodeling project in ord er to boost value or make the effort
worthwhile,” said Chris Terrill, CEO of HomeAdvisor. “Not only
is that not practical for many families’ budgets and time constraints, the truth is that smaller, more manageable projects can
still provide a high ROI.”
Kitchen solutions
Recent data from HomeAdvisor reveals that updating the countertops and cabinets are among the top kitchen improvements
homeowners are undertaking. Depending on the materials used,
the projects average $3,459 and $5,853 according to HomeAdvisor’s Cost Guide. These projects are still just a fraction of a
whole kitchen remodel, which averages around $22,200.
New appliances are an effective way to update and unify a
room, and features such as built-in ovens, microwaves and
storage for small appliances can make the kitchen appear less
cluttered. When shopping, remember that regardless of upfront
costs the best buy is the highest energy efficient product, for the
best return on investment.
“A minor kitchen remodel is one of the best investments homeowners can make,” said Terrill. “Projects including refinishing the
cabinets, updating the countertops, and installing new appliances all provide a high return without breaking the bank.”
Bathroom brush-up
Although typically the smallest
rooms in the home, bathrooms can
still make a big statement. Even
the tiniest of bathrooms can be
improved to increase value, function, and overall aesthetics without a complete overhaul. That is
likely welcome news to homeowners
unwilling or able to dedicate the
$10,274 average price tag associated with a full bathroom remodel.
Installing a new shower or bath
tops the list of bathroom renovation
projects homeowners undertake.
Free-standing showers and shower
and bathtub combos are the most
popular choices. The projects average $4,381 and $3,453 respectively
and according to Terrill, most homeowners find the resale value worth
the investment.
Updating the flooring is also a common small-scale project in the bathroom, with costs averaging $1,794.
Installing a colorful tile floor is an
especially appealing way to brighten
up a dull bath, but if tiling the entire
bathroom is out of the question,
homeowners can still add flair with
tile above the sink or bathtub.
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08 FOCUS of SWFL 2014
Image courtesy of DesignMine
“Regardless of the size and scope of the renovation project, one
tool I find helpful is HomeAdvisor’s Cost Guide,” said Terrill. “This
online resource helps homeowners get a better idea of the costs
they can expect to incur when completing a project.”
www.homeadvisor.com