Smart Tips For A Successful Home Renovation

If you’re planning on renovating your home, it’s always a good idea to look at the big picture and consider the main systems - electrical, plumbing, heating, and air - as these play a major role in each room you use. While it’s not a bad idea to hire an interior designer to ensure you get the results you want, you can follow some best practices and work with your contractor to save money instead. Here, Austin real estate professional Chris Anderson shares some strategies to help you turn your house into the home of your dreams.

Bringing Light to Your Home Office

There are many reasons why you’d want to add a home office to your house. Whether your company is letting you work from home or you’ve decided to launch your own small business, having a dedicated office space will surely add value to your property. 

When selecting the best room in the house to create your workspace, think about how much light you need to accomplish your tasks. Positioning your desk close to a natural source of light, like a large window, may not be feasible if you’re converting your garage, attic, or basement into an office, but you can add overhead lighting, sconces, and desk lamps in the space to keep it bright enough for work. So make sure you have a plan laid out for your lighting sources when it’s time to design your dream home office and hire an electrician if you need to have extra outlets installed. 

Upgrading Your Heating and Air System

If your HVAC is over 10 years old, you may find yourself having to crank up the thermostat earlier in the season as the temperature changes, and your power bill may also go up in the process. So when you’re thinking of renovating, consider replacing your HVAC system and upgrading your thermostat with a smart, programmable model allowing you to divide your house into zones and adjust the temperature depending on the time of day. 

Remodeling Your Kitchen and Bathroom

Factor in the layout of your pipes when you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or bathroom. Plumbing work can become quite costly during a renovation project if pipes need to be rerouted or connected to new appliances. While you’re in the planning stages, consider installing money-saving fixtures and appliances such as a dual-flush or low-flow toilet, a high-efficiency showerhead, dishwasher, and washing machine to lower your water usage. 

Additionally, think about updating your flooring and installing a radiant heating system, which will make the room feel comfortable year-round; or opt for resilient flooring that is highly resistant to water and easy to clean, made of vinyl, rubber, cork, or linoleum. And for the walls, pick a paint that will withstand wear and tear as well as heat and moisture.

If you’re planning on selling your home soon, make sure that your anticipated renovations have the ROI (return on investment) you need. Work with real estate professional Chris Anderson for a home appraisal and compare it to the median sale price in your area. Then, look at other homes in your area with the upgrades you are planning to see if they are consistently above the median price. If they are, then you are likely going to get the ROI you need to make the renovation worth the effort. 

Plan for a Smooth Reno Process

Whether you’re remodeling your office or kitchen, a home renovation will go much smoother if you take the time to plan ahead and know how your main systems will be affected. You will also lower costs by designing your project with your existing layouts in mind. And working with professional contractors is a sure way to get the best advice and the most bang for your buck when it comes to making improvements on your biggest asset - your home.