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So you've bought a fixer-upper. With home prices still reaching the upper limits despite recent market cooling, many are purchasing fixer-upper homes due to limited options. In fact, 82% of millennials said they're more likely to buy a fixer-upper than a newly built home, according to a recent Business Insider article.
Whether you are HGTV-level confident or scared to dip your toes into the renovating waters, you must decide which projects to tackle first. If you're not sure where to start, these six projects are the first places you should look when you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
New flooring
New flooring is one of the best ways to make instant change in a fixer-upper! Not only will it brighten up and modernize the space, but it's easiest to do first before all your furniture and belongings cover the floors and make it difficult to complete this project. No one wants to move furniture twice!
Flooring options have come a long way, and the experts at Giant Carpet One can recommend the best surfaces to fit your lifestyle and your home, at affordable prices.
Painting
Painting is certainly not as easy as it looks, but it's one of the lowest-cost improvements you can do for a dramatic improvement. Once your major renovations are done (like moving walls or adding built-ins), painting is one of the first things you should tackle in your new home.
The Spruce has some tips on choosing the right kind of paint for your new(ish) home. If you have small rooms, it's best to use lighter colors as they make your rooms appear bigger. If you want the illusion of higher ceilings, use a lighter color than the walls.
On the other hand, if you want to have a more cozy space, use darker color—especially on the ceiling.
Fix major systems
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC aren't the most glamorous things to update. In reality, no one will be able to see a difference after you pour thousand into what goes on behind the walls. US News interviewed a professional electrician who recommends taking off any old wallpaper to look at any electrical problems appearing through the walls. He also recommends looking at the outlets to see if they're three-pronged—if it doesn't have the third prong, it means the outlet isn't grounded.
If you notice any telltale signs of problems with your home's major systems, it's a good idea to start there with your updates.
Add landscaping
First impressions matter! Since the front of your house is the first thing people will see, it's worth it to make that impression a good one. One Virginia Tech study found that having a well-landscaped yard can add between 5% and 12% more value to your home.
Anything from planting perennials to large-ticket items like adding a tree or two can accomplish this, in addition to being good for both the environment and curb appeal. It is also one of the areas where you can put in a little sweat equity to make up for not spending a lot—never underestimate the power of trimmed grass, a pressure-washed porch, and neatly weeded flowerbeds with a few bright blooms.
Add insulation
Since fixer-upper homes tend to be older, many are lacking the proper insulation. Insulation is something that draws little attention in the scheme of things until a cold draft blows through during winter or you're hit with a triple-digit utility bill.
Tackling this as one of the first projects will quickly save you major cash on your energy bills. Unless your home was constructed with energy efficiency in mind (very few are, especially older homes) chances are that it could benefit greatly from added insulation in the walls and attic. Adding as little as three inches of insulation to bare walls or rafters has been shown to yield huge savings, according to this Family Handyman article covering the ins and outs of DIY insulation.
Kitchen remodel
Kitchen remodels are the king of all home remodels. They get all the attention and most of the budget. And for good cause—kitchen remodels can snag you up to 71% of the original cost of remodeling, which is the third-highest ROI in Remodeling's Annual Cost vs. Value report.
There are many reasons to jump on a kitchen remodel sooner rather than later. First, it's worth it to spend money in the most-trafficked space in the home. Second, kitchen upgrades don't have to cost as much as you might think. In fact, the best ROI is found in a minor kitchen remodel rather than a complete overhaul with luxury finishes and all the bells and whistles. Think of smaller fixes like painting cabinets and changing out hardware and add on one major upgrade like new countertops or appliances.
Flooring from Giant Carpet One
Visit your local Utah Giant Carpet One to see, touch and feel your new flooring options—from carpet to luxury vinyl, hardwood, tile, laminate and more. For more information or to find a showroom near you, visit Giant Carpet One.
