Remodeling is an investment in your home. For this reason, we understand why you may feel unsure as to where to start. Whether you plan to sell your home in the near future or want to stay put for years to come, you can trust our team to help you get on the right track. Home Specialists is proud to be a reputable remodeling contractor in Grand Rapids, MI.
Here’s what you need to know when choosing what remodeling projects to prioritize.
Consider Your Budget
Your budget is a huge factor in your remodeling decisions. Make sure you have a clear idea of how much you’re willing to spend on this project. If your budget is big enough, you may be able to remodel both your kitchen and your bathroom at the same time or right after the other.
We would encourage you to do some research into just how far your budget will take you. Perhaps you can afford a bathroom remodel and a few minor kitchen upgrades. Maybe a fresh coat of paint will help your bathroom last a few more years while you invest in new kitchen cabinets and countertops.
However you decide to spend your money, it’s important to be honest about your budget so you can make smart choices for your home and your family. Our team will also be able to help by giving you all the information you need about bathroom remodeling and kitchen remodeling.
Add Value if You Plan to Resell
Are you so your family can enjoy the benefits, or are you remodeling so you can immediately turn around and sell? If you’re planning to sell, you’ll need to take into account your in addition to its sticker price. That will help you determine where your money will get the best return on investment (ROI).
For example, you will probably recoup just over 40% of your costs for a mid-range kitchen remodel. However, for a minor kitchen remodel, you’ll likely recoup about 57% of your costs, in addition to spending less in the first place.
Spending more doesn’t always translate into a higher resale value. Make sure that if you’re planning to resell, you invest your money wisely in remodels that will increase the value of your property.
Related: How to Remodel Your Kitchen and Stay on Budget →
Prioritize What Needs to Be Fixed
Upgrading your kitchen or bathroom with fancy new appliances is great, but before you spend all of your budget on aesthetics, you should first determine if anything needs to be fixed.
How are your bathroom cabinets? Do they still open and close with ease, or has high humidity warped their doors?
How are your kitchen countertops? Are they strong and durable, or are they scorched, warped from high heat, or even falling apart?
Invest first in your existing problems. Then, move on to upgrades that could technically wait but would have a huge impact on your daily life if done now.
Improve Your Quality of Life
We all have different thresholds for which minor inconveniences we can stomach versus which ones make us tear our hair out in frustration. There are thousands of opinions on which upgrades are best for a home, but what really matters is what’s best for you and your family. What would make your lives easier right now? What can you live with for another year or two—or five?
For example, let’s say your family is growing, and you need to transform your half-bath downstairs into a full-bath so your kids have a place to get ready in the morning. However, your kitchen is a little on the small side, which can be difficult for holidays but isn’t as big of a deal in your day-to-day lives.
In this case, a bigger bathroom would be a huge relief that would make your daily lives better. A bigger kitchen, on the other hand, would only be a small perk when your extended family comes to visit for Christmas. By evaluating your family’s needs, you can invest your money wisely in features and upgrades that help your lives go more smoothly.
Determine Where You Spend the Most Time
In general, people tend to spend more time in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking dinner, helping kids with homework, or preparing for a party, the kitchen area is where most life happens in the home. For this reason, you may decide that it’s better to renovate the kitchen first before upgrading the bathrooms.
Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. As your Grand Rapids kitchen remodeling company, we recommend starting where you spend the most time in your home. That way, you’ll be able to get the best return on your investment.
Request a Remodeling Estimate
Home Specialists is a reputable remodeling contractor in Grand Rapids, MI. As such, we’d be more than happy to provide guidance as you transform your house into your dream home. To request an estimate for your next remodeling project, please call Home Specialists at (616) 453-4552. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
