From minor touch-ups to major upgrades, home renovations and improvements are part of your homeownership journey.
However, in your pursuit to enhance the living spaces, your ultimate goal must be to ensure that every upgrade you consider fulfills your functional and aesthetic needs and makes the investment worthwhile.
If you’re lucky enough to own a house in Petersburg, a home improvement project will help you attract potential buyers and make your home stand out in the listing.
Petersburg’s real estate market has been on an upward trajectory in 2023, mainly due to a considerable increase in demand for homes, paired with a surge in home prices (10 to 25% increase compared to last year).
If you plan to sell your home, this is the perfect time to make some valuable upgrades and seal a lucrative deal.
The idea of giving your home a whole new look through renovation is both exciting and unnerving. To make this journey easier for you, we’ve gathered a list of easy tips and tricks to carry out home renovations smoothly and achieve the desired results. Let’s get started!
Smart Strategies for Home Renovations
Hire the Right Professional for the Right Job
Home renovations and upgrades are not an everyday endeavor; most require professional expertise.
For instance, if your home’s exterior and siding require repairs or replacement, the best approach is to perform a Google search with the keywords siding contractor Petersburg VA and choose a reliable and credible siding repair service.
Some renowned repair and replacement services, like Timothy’s Home Improvement, have a team of qualified and certified professionals with a proven track record and relevant experience.
Choosing the right professionals for your home improvement project is crucial, as the success of the overall renovation depends on the quality of work and expertise of your contractor.
When choosing a contractor for a particular home renovation project, be sure to check their online ratings and reviews, portfolio, and customer stories. Talk to multiple contractors so you can pick the best professional for the job.
Create a Budget
Home improvement projects are significant investments, but the success of these projects depends on how effectively you manage your finances during the entire process.
Before you pull up your sleeves or call in the professionals, sit with your partner to determine the total budget for the renovation. Determine how much you can afford to spend and the expected return on investment.
This way, you can shortlist your renovation projects according to their priority and allocate funds accordingly.
Remember that home improvement projects almost always have unexpected costs along the way. After all, you only get to know the condition of your rafters and beams once the walls have been knocked down, or you may discover worn-out plumbing systems while fixing minor leaks.
Such urgent issues must be addressed on the spot and require additional costs. When you’re distributing the budget to each project, be sure to factor in unexpected costs and add a contingency budget to cover unforeseen expenses.
Ideally, you should keep aside an additional 10 to 20% of your total budget to address any contingencies.
Sticking to your budget will help you avoid financial stress during the project. Plus, you can track each expense during the renovation process and make necessary adjustments along the way.
Address Minor or Major Repairs First
As a homeowner, it’s all too natural to feel tempted to change your home’s floor plan or hammer down the unwanted walls between your kitchen and living room.
However, these major renovations usually consume a bigger chunk of your renovation budget, leaving little or no room for essential repairs and maintenance at the end.
Instead of running out of critical funds, try to address minor or major repairs before moving on to key home upgrades. This will help you prioritize and resolve any pressing issues and ensure they’re not left behind amidst the chaos of wide-scale home renovations.
Improve Home Features that Increase Your Home’s Overall Value
Every homeowner in Petersburg wants to create a home that suits their needs and preferences. But personalization doesn’t always increase your home’s value. This is why it’s wise to consider each renovation’s potential return on investment and how much value it will add to your property’s net worth.
Try to avoid choosing overly personalized designs or investing in projects a potential buyer may not be interested in. Instead, improve only those features of your home that add more functionality and aesthetics to your home and increase its net worth.
For example, focusing on upgrading your kitchen and bathrooms can be an intelligent move. Any improvements in these areas can give you over 90% return on investment and would definitely impact your property’s resale value.
You can invest in new appliances, premium-quality countertops, or stylish kitchen and bathroom fixtures. These upgrades will enhance your daily living experience and ensure your home increases its value in the market.
Do All the Necessary Planning and Paperwork Beforehand
House renovations aren’t as easy asf pie; they require a lot of planning, preparation, and paperwork. From planning your new floor design to reimagining every inch of your space and getting the required permits for each home improvement project, you need to consider every aspect of your home renovation right from the outset.
Team up with your contractor to plan out each home improvement project, map out the new space, and plan what goes where. Your contractor will also suggest design themes and materials.
You can experiment with different colors and textures, room layouts, and themes and finalize the one that best suits your individual needs. This design plan will serve as a blueprint for the entire renovation.
More importantly, apply for permits from local authorities and complete the paperwork before starting the project. This way, you can rest assured that none of your renovations will end in delays, legal issues, or penalties.
Your contractor will guide you about which permits are necessary and help you get those permits before starting work.
Choose Quality Materials
A wise investment can pay off for years to come, and choosing high-quality materials is one of them. High-quality materials can withstand the test of time and keep your home in pristine condition for years and years.
Although premium-quality materials may come with a bigger price tag, they will ultimately help you save a handsome amount that you would otherwise spend on costly repairs and replacements in the future.
Research the local market in detail and choose materials that suit your style, budget, and maintenance preferences.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation projects can be extremely rewarding down the road when you approach them with careful planning. With the above tips and tricks, you will be better prepared to carry out successful home improvement projects and meet any unexpected challenges along the way.
For best results, we recommend hiring professional contractors with expertise in their chosen area and carrying out the renovation in optimal weather conditions. Good luck!
