Remember, your house is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make in your whole lifetime and it should be treated as such. So, here are the most common myths about home improvement that you need to get rid of.
1. Expensive materials will add value to your home
Many materials that are very expensive will be attractive to your visitors, but may not add value to your home. Adding expensive materials that few people will appreciate can make it harder to sell later. For instance, you may use most expensive bathroom accessories and get ‘wow’ from your relatives, but value conscious buyer may opt for a more affordable home. So, always consider the net value improvement of the home before you add any expensive materials.
2. ‘Trendy’ is always best
It’s obvious that design trends change frequently. What you call ‘trendy’ today may not be viewed as ‘trendy’ tomorrow. So, always select design that best suits your personality and lifestyle. You can do a bit research on internet, magazines etc. to figure out what suits you best. Also, don’t hesitate to get expert suggestions for the best choice that suits your home environment and that will also be long-lasting.
3. Cracks in the walls are always a big issue
Don’t panic if you see minor cracks in your home structure. Most cracks are just the result of minor expansion and contraction, not a structural failure. In major cases, you can call structural engineer to confirm. Experienced professionals can give you an accurate analysis of your home and design a foundation repair solution.
4. I can do it by myself
Your knowledge may not be sufficient to design a whole remodeling project yourself. Your appetite to save money by doing everything yourself can sometimes have the opposite result if you don’t have enough skills, experience or time. Don’t be afraid to seek help from an expert! You may have heard stories of people being ripped off by dodgy tradesmen however you can easily get an idea of how much you should be spending to make sure you don’t get ripped off and potentially negotiate a better deal. A good contractor can always do home improvement faster, and often cheaper as well. They generally know more about the correct remodeling of goods and stuffs, priorities and correct timing. Also, you can get good discounts on supplies purchased via contractor. Moreover, if you sign a well-thought-out contract before the job begins, you are protected in case of mistakes, which is definitely not the case when you try to do it yourself.
5. Adding a pool always adds value
A lot of people think adding a swimming pool and/or a hot tub is a sure selling point, but this may not be true. The value of a pool is largely determined by the location and the climate of the region. Adding a pool can be reasonable in a place with hot climate but it is generally useless in a place with the cold one. Adding a pool can also be a big liability and be difficult to maintain in the off-season. Certainly, it increases expenses, which most buyers dislike.
6. It’s expensive to go green
Some “green” products may be more expensive, but not all of them. Moreover, the government and manufacturer may consider heavy discount to promote green building practices. Also, energy saving systems may appear more expensive at the beginning, but can save a lot of money in the long run. Going green always isn’t about buying stuff. There are many cost-free techniques to go green as well. It may cost nothing to start living green by making smart choices in everyday activities, such as by turning out the lights when you leave a room, unplugging your electronics when not in use, using less water by turning off the faucet when brushing those pearly whites or scrubbing dishes, and reusing rather than throwing away to reduce waste.
7. I can always buy more later
As soon as you start a home improvement project, buy all the materials needed for it. Who knows – the items may go out of stock or have different batch or version than required for your home improvement. Moreover, the price may increase later.
8. I can hang any wallpaper anywhere
Wallpaper can look disgusting and ugly if not hung in the properly. You should always be about where and how you choose to hang proper wallpaper. Also, think before putting permanent wallpaper up, as it may go out of style later.
9. Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom
Again, it all depends on the conditions and requirements. If you only have one or two bedrooms to start with, adding a bedroom before adding a second bath is probably a wise choice since most buyers are more attracted to a three-bedroom home. On the other hand, if you already have three bedrooms and only one bath, your next investment should probably be in a new bathroom.
10. Any remodeling will add value to your home
Remodeling may not always add value to your home. For instance, combining two smaller bedrooms to create one larger bedroom may better fit your lifestyle today, but it may cause the home to lose value in the eyes of a future buyer who needs the two separate rooms.
11. Inside improvements are better than outside ones
Try to give priority to both inside and outside home improvements. For a home buyer, the first impression of your home is outside design. If you can’t please them with the exterior design, it will be difficult to impress them based on interior design alone.
12. Paint hides all the defects
Don’t try to hide structural cracks and other defects with paint. This may violate the disclosure laws in most of places, and it may set you up for huge liabilities after you sell your home. Instead, get proper advice from a structural engineer as to the correct solution. Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com
