Whilst many may view it as an unnecessary cost, case can be made the decrease in value of real estate is usually caused by neglecting the maintenance of your property. Regular renovations and maintenance checks will stretch the life of your home systems,meaning you’ll increase the value of your home and save money in the long term.
Planning is an essential component in any renovation. If you are considering renovating your home you need to be clear on the priority, whether it is to become more energy efficient or to meet the needs of a growing family.
Cheryl Neave, Managing Director at The Building Centre, lists a few renovation tips that all homeowners should consider:
Many of the tips are easy DIY projects and some require expert attention, so select one or two that suits you and your budget.
1. Keeping it natural
While it can be a costly exercise, installing skylights or tubular roof lights will reduce electricity costs in the long run. The more natural light you have in your house the less lights you have to turn on and the less electricity you use. Another benefit, also related to energy use, is natural light can help retain warmth within a room.
2. Saving water makes cents
Installing low-flow faucets and shower heads reduce water usage in the home. Some of these can be attached to existing hardware, or entire units can be replaced. Water heaters are also available in energy-efficient models that either use less power to heat water, or are programmed to heat the water on demand.
3. Flooring
To renovate your floors, consider wooden flooring or adding a wooden patio or deck to your home. Once properly sealed, wooden floors require little effort to maintain and are easy to clean. Wooden and vinyl floors are ideal for people that suffer from allergies and respiratory conditions as well as families with children and pets, as they do not harbor dust or allergens.
4. Kitchen
Update the kitchen with a fresh coat of paint. You are also able to transform a kitchen in an instant with a smart new worktop and a tile design. Go for a simple worktop, like laminate, which is generally the cheapest and choose bold tiles to create a striking display that will give the illusion of a high-cost design.
Another quick renovation is to replace the hardware on the kitchen cabinets. And get rid of that fluorescent light box and upgrade to down lights in your cabinets. These updates will not only make for a more pleasing kitchen, but will also make a huge impact at a fraction of the cost.
Also read:
Update your home décor on a budget
Issued on behalf of Cheryl Neave: cheryl.neave@gmail.com.
For more information: megan@dummettandcompany.co.za
