Category: Home

When it comes to maintaining and repairing asphalt pavement, property owners and managers often face a difficult decision: should they opt for pavement resurfacing or full replacement? Both options have their merits, and the best choice depends on various factors, such as the age and condition of the pavement, budget constraints, and long-term goals. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between pavement resurfacing and full replacement to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Pavement Resurfacing?

Pavement resurfacing is a cost-effective method of repairing and restoring the surface of an asphalt pavement without removing the existing base layer. This process typically involves the following steps:

1. Cleaning and repairing the existing surface: Any debris, dirt, or vegetation is removed, and minor cracks or potholes are filled.
2. Applying a tack coat: A thin layer of liquid asphalt is applied to the existing surface to ensure proper adhesion of the new layer.
3. Installing a new asphalt layer: A fresh layer of hot mix asphalt is laid over the existing surface, typically 1.5 to 2 inches thick.
4. Compacting the new surface: The new asphalt layer is compacted using heavy rollers to ensure a smooth, durable finish.

Pavement resurfacing is an excellent option for pavements that are structurally sound but have surface-level damage, such as cracks, potholes, or mild deterioration due to age and wear.

What Is Full Pavement Replacement?

Full pavement replacement involves completely removing the existing asphalt pavement, including the base layer, and installing a new pavement from the ground up. This process typically includes:

1. Removing the existing pavement: The old asphalt and base layers are excavated using heavy machinery.
2. Preparing the subgrade: The exposed subgrade is graded and compacted to ensure a stable foundation for the new pavement.
3. Installing a new base layer: A layer of crushed stone or gravel is placed and compacted over the subgrade to provide a sturdy base for the new asphalt.
4. Laying the new asphalt: A new layer of hot mix asphalt, usually 2 to 4 inches thick, is installed over the base layer and compacted to achieve a smooth, durable surface.

Full pavement replacement is necessary when the existing pavement has extensive structural damage, such as deep cracks, significant settling, or severe deterioration of the base layer.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Resurfacing and Replacement

When deciding between pavement resurfacing and full replacement, consider the following factors:

1. Age and condition of the pavement: Resurfacing is often sufficient for pavements that are structurally sound but have surface-level damage, while full replacement is necessary for pavements with extensive structural issues.
2. Cost: Pavement resurfacing is generally more cost-effective than full replacement, as it requires less labor, materials, and time.
3. Longevity: A full replacement typically lasts longer than a resurfaced pavement, as it addresses both surface and structural issues.
4. Downtime: Resurfacing projects are usually completed more quickly than full replacements, minimizing disruption to traffic and operations.
5. Aesthetic considerations: Full replacement allows for the opportunity to redesign the pavement layout, upgrade drainage systems, and improve overall aesthetics.

Ultimately, the decision between pavement resurfacing and full replacement should be based on a thorough assessment of the pavement’s condition, your budget, and your long-term property management goals. Consulting with a professional paving contractor can help you evaluate your options and make the best choice for your specific situation.

Both pavement resurfacing and full replacement have their advantages and disadvantages. By understanding the differences between these two options and considering factors such as pavement condition, cost, longevity, downtime, and aesthetics, you can make an informed decision that maximizes the value and performance of your asphalt pavement.

If you have been stuck for ideas on ways to spruce up your home in time for the summer, there’s no better way to get the creative juices flowing than by checking the latest trends. With so many interior design concepts out there, however, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by them all. Making the right choice for your home will always come down to personal preference, but here are some great décor ideas for your home to inspire you this year.

Designer Appliances & Features

What better way to show your taste for design than by choosing appliances and features that are different from the norm. From fridge drawers instead of a standalone fridge unit, to decorative radiators online that come in all shapes, colours, and sizes, to even wow-factor furniture that looks just as great as they are to use. Whilst some designer pieces will cost more, there are still designer choices that do not have to break the bank, so look for similar items from high street brands to achieve a similar outcome and you’ll create a room that is magazine cover worthy.

Multipurpose Rooms

If you find you’re spending more time at home than ever before, creating multifunctional rooms can be one way to create more space without physically having it. If you work from home more often than at an office, you’ll want to ensure that you have the setup within your home to do so and stay productive. Ideally, you’ll have a spare room to change into an office, but if you don’t have that luxury, then finding a corner of your living area or bedroom you can transform into your home office is much better than working from the sofa or even your bed. Home gyms are also possible if you have enough floor space in a lounge or dining area you can utilise; just keep an equipment setup nearby and you’re good to go.

Earthy Colours & Natural Light

Being one with nature is good for our wellbeing and health in general, but if you find your time outdoors has reduced, then you’ll want to recreate this in your home. Earthy colours include olive or forest greens, sand tones, sky blues and stone greys, all subtle and not too harsh on the eyes in terms of colour. Pairing this with lots of natural light and a natural flow of air throughout rooms can bring the outdoors in, especially if you have patio doors opening up to your own green space. Tranquillity and peace can be achieved following this décor trend. To furnish rooms in this way, you’ll want to find interesting natural wood pieces that also use lighter tones for seat cushions, blankets, and upholstery.

Durable Fabrics

Having a good set of blankets, linens and other useful fabrics around the home will help to make furniture last longer and provide further comfort. Ideally, by choosing durable ones, you can ensure they are easy to clean and maintain when they need to be washed or wiped down, perfect for when you’re spending more time indoors. You can also choose contrasting colours to make these standout, following the theme of the room to pair these fabrics throughout, from sofa and chair covers, to bed runners and fabric curtains. The addition of these fabrics can easily upgrade your home effortlessly.

Found some inspiration? If so, we hope you can have fun coming up with unique home décor looks and find ways to make each room a perfect space to live.

Did you know that there is enough solar energy in America to power 12 million average households? As solar panel technology continues to become more effective and inexpensive, this number will get even better.

It’s never been a more perfect time to join the future by powering your house with solar technology.

Are you thinking about investing in solar energy? There are many awesome facts about solar panels for your home, but keep reading to learn about the most surprising ones.

1. It’s Clean Energy

Have you ever asked yourself, “What are solar panels?”

Unlike conventional forms of energy, solar panels are environmentally-friendly because they don’t produce huge amounts of waste. This will ensure a clean and healthy planet for our children and our children’s children.

Climate change is getting worse and worse, so the time to act is now.

2. The Energy Is Almost Infinite

When it comes to solar panel facts, it can be helpful to put the power of the sun into perspective. While fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, the sun is a renewable resource. The reason for this is that our type of star usually lives for 10 billion years.

Even though the sun has reached middle age, it still has a whopping 5 billion years left to go.

3. Direct Sunlight Isn’t Necessary

If you’re still on the fence about getting solar panels, you may be glad to know that solar panels don’t need direct sunlight. Rather, a solar panel can do its job even on a cloudy day.

This is because the light is still being reflected and the panels can soak it up.

4. It Pays For Itself

One of the most important solar facts relates to finances. Some people think it’s not a wise investment, but did you know that most people get their investment back usually after a decade or sooner?

Simply put, solar energy pays for itself. This is why it’s time to learn about the best solar company.

5. They Can Charge Electric Cars

Why stop at getting solar panels when electric cars go hand-in-hand with them? Electric cars are becoming more and more common, but in some places, it can be rare to see a charge station.

Instead of waiting for your town or city to join the future, you can have everything you need at home.

6. It Increases Home Value

Aside from paying themselves off, solar panels can also increase your home value. This extra benefit makes a solar home improvement project even more worth your time.

Whereas a new living room looks nice, it’s not going to power everything in your house the way solar panels do.

Now You Know Awesome Facts About Solar Panels

Now that you know 6 amazing facts about solar panels, you can start investing in independent and clean energy for your household. The future is in solar energy.

Do you want to learn more about how you can improve your house with the latest technology and other products? Feel free to stay in the loop by bookmarking our site.

Are you thinking about planting a birch tree to spruce up your garden? Or are you watching the one you already weakened by the day? Not everyone is born with green fingers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help your birch survive and thrive!

All you need is a little help with these five things to know about birch tree care.

1. Planting a Birch Tree

Birch trees have a shallow root system which makes the trees sensitive to heat and drought. If your birch tree is struggling, it could be because it is getting too much sun. If you have a paper birch tree, you can transplant it quite easily without causing the tree too much shock. You should not go about removing a birch tree or transplanting one, without the help of an expert.

2. The Correct Soil

The trees need to be planted in a spot where the soil remains moist and cool but the sun still reaches the leaves. Identify a spot where the roots will be shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Most birch trees, other than the White Birch, grow well in soil that is slightly acidic. If you have a White Birch, it will grow well in alkaline soil.

Provide your birch tree with iron supplements to prevent chlorosis and frequent nutrients. Choose a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer with iron to keep your tree healthy.

3. Watering Your Birch Tree

As most birch trees are sensitive to drought, it’s important to keep the soil moist, especially in the height of summer. The first couple of years after planting, soak the soil thoroughly with a hose to keep the soil moist to the roots. Covering the roots with 2 – 4″ of mulch will help significantly to keep the roots moist.

Once the tree is established, it requires around 1″ of water per week

4. Pruning Birch Trees

An important aspect of caring for a birch tree is pruning to keep it strong and healthy. It helps to reduce the risks of structural problems and defects.

If you identify branches that are broken, dead or diseased, these should be removed. In this way, you can prevent diseases from spreading to the rest of the tree.

Sometimes it may be necessary to remove healthy branches too if it will help sunlight exposure.

Aim to prune your birch tree in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant. You don’t want to cause the tree to lose sap by pruning it in spring, or when birch borers are active in summer.

5. Common Diseases & Pests

There are a variety of insects and diseases which attack birch trees and can cause severe damage, and even kill the tree if left untreated. Here are some common issues to look out for

Bronze Birch Borer

An invasive wood-boring beetle that tunnels under the bark and causes holes. Trees that suffer from drought stress are especially vulnerable. There are store treatments you can purchase to help with this.

Birch Leafminer

These insects attack the leaves, creating little green spots on the surface that will turn into brown spots. It is not a lethal infestation but can weaken the tree.

Birch Aphids

Aphids extract sap from the tree leaves which turns the leaves yellow. A big infestation can result in leaf drop and branch dieback. If you notice an excess of sap (aphid honeydew) underneath the leaf, it’s probably due to aphids.

DIY Birch Tree Care

Armed with a little knowledge you have the capabilities to provide the correct birch tree care to keep your tree thriving for years to come.

Explore our blog for some more home guides, tips, and tricks.

Are you in the market for new TV service?

Are you not sure whether to go with cable or satellite TV?

Don’t worry. We are going to break down the debate satellite vs cable TV for you. Keep reading, and you’ll know which is best for you.

The Pros and Cons of Satellite TV

Let’s start with satellite TV. Satellite TV means TV programming uses a signal sent from the satellite in space to your satellite TV receiver. Typically people in rural areas use satellite TV.

The pros of satellite TV are accessibility, cost, and quality.

You don’t need cables for your signal. The system instead uses a satellite to relay the signal from point to point. Your satellite needs a clear view of a given hemisphere. You need to install the reception dish, set up, and pay for your service, and you’re good to go.

If budget is your concern, then satellite is definitely for you if you’re debating cable vs satellite TV. A satellite can sometimes seem strange but cost-effective, and companies like Charter offer it for dollars less than cable a month.

Both options will give you a large range of programs, but if you want the best quality or are an HD connoisseur, then satellite does the trick. Satellite services give you a much better picture quality because there’s a shorter distance for the signal to go and less degradation as a result.

Now that we’ve covered the positives, let’s look at the negatives. The cons of a satellite are the reliability and the hardware.

Even though satellite TV’s picture quality and accessibility are great, they aren’t always the most reliable due to poor weather. It’s common for the signal to go in and out during severe weather or have a choppy vision during severe weather.

Often, satellite users have to install their satellite dishes themselves and desire help setting up. The dish is bulky and takes finesse to place just right since you need a clear sightline to open sky. Luckily, there are resources to help you with satellite installation.

The Pros and Cons of Cable TV

Cable TV is more common these days. Cable TV is delivered to you through copper wires instead of a signal, making it less susceptible to weather-related issues.

The pros of cable TV include shorter contracts, reliability, and equipment.

Unlike satellite, you can often cancel or change your contract more freely. This also reflects at a higher monthly cost. Cable TV allows you to drop the satellite dish’s complicated install, making equipment sometimes install as easy as plugging in a cord and connecting it to your TV.

The biggest pro to cable is that your signal is usually the same in great weather as it is bad since it is carried through a cord. However, you can sometimes sacrifice the quality of the picture for consistency.

The cons of cable TV include price and accessibility.

As mentioned above, cable is typically pricier but also harder to have access to. If you are in rural areas or your home doesn’t have cable hookups, you won’t be able to install a cable service.

Have You Decided on Satellite Vs Cable TV?

You are now an expert when it comes to the debate satellite vs cable TV. So, it’s time to consider what is most important to you.

Is it price? What about TV picture quality? Or is it signal reliability?

These will help you determine which is best for you and allow you to make a confident choice.

If a satellite is for you, check out local antenna services for all the information you need to get started.

Who doesn’t love going to the movies? Sitting in the dark with a big bag of buttered popcorn and candy while the latest Hollywood fantasy plays out on the big, silver screen?

Going to the movies is a magical experience enjoyed by many generations now. Cue the Covid-19 pandemic and for many in 2020, going to the movies is now less than magical.

You may now consider building a home theater so you can enjoy cinema safely, but aren’t sure of the cost of home theater electronics.

Read on for tips on how to build a home theater on any budget.

The Silver Screen

Let’s talk about the most important facet of your home movie theater, the screen.

You have two options available that depend on the space available and your budget. You can invest in a big-screen television or a projector.

If your movie theater at home will reside in a smaller space, a television may be the best option. These modern TVs are lightweight, wall-mountable, and offer crystal clear 4K resolution.

If you have a larger dedicated space and a big budget, a projector could meet your needs. Projectors offer a viewing size of over 100 inches and can pair with a drop-down screen that is both efficient and classy.

Which Player

If you’re building a home theater, you’re going to need to upgrade your Blu-Ray system. While streaming services are easy and convenient, the highest quality viewing experience still comes from a Blu-ray player.

After you’ve invested in a television or projector, you need to purchase a player capable of 3D and 4K for the best possible theater experience.

These Blu-ray players can cost up to 1,000 dollars for the top of the line. Many places offer great deals during Christmas sales blitzes like Black Friday.

Big Sound

While the screen is important, so is the sound quality. The cost of home theater sound equipment varies on your needs and the system itself.

For a smaller room, a more traditional surround sound system can work. These are available at most big-box electronics stores and online.

Many of these 5.1 surround sound systems are now wireless so you don’t have to worry about those long wires for the rear speakers, and can often be purchased on sale.

If you’re investing in a larger home theater and want to achieve that all-encompassing movie theater sound, investment in a larger 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound system might be your best option.

Acoustics

When building your home theater, you need to consider how you will optimize your new sound system.

If you’re willing to bust the piggy bank, consider soundproofing and acoustic tile. Lightweight acoustic ceiling tiles combined with carpet panels for the walls help absorb sound rather than reflect it.

This results in a much richer sound that contains no harshness or tinniness. Consider installing a thick carpet on the floor for even better sound absorption.

If you’re building a budget home theater, you need to pick the right room. Any room without windows is a good pick. Sound can escape through your windows and reflect off of those hard surfaces. Any finished basement is a great spot.

Comfortable Seating

If you’re building a home theater, you’re a movie buff. More than likely, your home theater will be a place where you spend a lot of time. You should be as comfortable as possible.

Comfortable seating options are available at any budget.

Less pricey seating could involve a new sofa, or perhaps one or two new recliners. For a pricier option, consider custom-made home theater seats.

For the best home theater seating, custom-made home theater seating companies like Elite HTS offer superior craftsmanship and comfort.

Multi-Purpose

For those building a home theater on a budget, think about how you want to use your space.

In a smaller home, you don’t need to dedicate your theater room to only movie watching. You can remodel or update your living room, den, or basement as a space that receives as much use as possible.

Think of it in the same way people think about “man-caves” or “she-sheds.”

On a budget or in a smaller home, these theaters can be places where the whole family congregates not only for movie night, but for sporting events, television shows, or game nights.

Other Home Theater Room Ideas

Once you’ve purchased the equipment and considered the design, think about some other ideas for your movie room to bring that theater experience home.

If you have space and plan to entertain your friends and extended family, a bar is a great option.

A bar in your theater room allows you to mix drinks for your friends and family before, during, and after the film. And if you and your friends are movie buffs, offers a safe and relaxing space to congregate and discuss the movie.

If you’re building a home theater mostly for you and your children to enjoy, popcorn machines are a way to bring the theater experience to your home no matter your space or budget.

Nothing says movie time quite like the smell of freshly popping corn. Don’t forget the butter.

Total Cost of Home Theater

The cost of home theater screens, sound systems, and seatings depend on your budget. With a small investment in a new sound system and a new television, you can turn your living room into a small theater space.

Should you have the money, a large-scale remodel may be what you want. This means thousands of dollars spent on electronic equipment, soundproofing, seating, and other creature comforts that bring the movie theater home.

The truth is, a home movie theater can be built on any budget and may be a wise investment for the crazy times we live in.

Are you interested in other home improvement ideas? Check out our other posts for helpful tips and guides.

If you just bought a new set of speakers then you need to test them stat. Having speakers set up right will make all the difference in your home. This is especially important if you plan to have guests over to enjoy a movie with friends or a party.

Even if you’ve had your speakers for a while, make sure to test them if you never have. Read on to learn why this is so important and how to test speakers for the best entertainment experience.

Why You Should Test Your Speakers

If you’re unsure whether you need to test your speakers, here’s why you do.

Testing your speakers will ensure that they’re not just working, but that they’re working fully and giving you the best sound possible. You could be missing out on great surround sound if you even have two of your speaker’s wires mixed up.

Overall, testing your speakers guarantees that you’re getting your money’s worth out of your home system.

Start By Testing Volume

If you’re wondering how to test home theater speakers, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you test their volume. If your speakers are too quiet, they could be faulty and in need of exchange so that you get the value you deserve.

You’ll also want to match up the speaker’s volumes so that they have the intended effect. Listen to each speaker individually and then together to see how they sound.

You can use the Richard Farrar’s Speaker Test to make sure the sound is properly balanced between left and right speaker sets.

How to Test Speakers With Surround Sound

Most speaker sets, like this home theatre speaker set, come with multiple speakers for placing around your living room. When you have several, it’s important to know how to wire speakers so that you don’t get the wires mixed up.

Your speaker set might include a:

• Left Front Speaker
• Right Front Speaker
• Center Speaker
• Left Surround Speaker
• Right Surround Speaker

It may sound complicated, but making sure all of your speakers are wired correctly is easy. Simply use a playback test by downloading the audio files and making sure the right speaker responds to each cue.

Once you’ve done this, you’re ready for the final and best test.

Watch a Movie

The best and final test is to see your speakers in action. Put on a fun movie with wide-ranging sound effects and see how they do.

It’s important when you do this that you choose a film you’re familiar with so that you can compare the sounds accurately to see if something is wrong or missing. Here are 15 great famous film scenes to test your new surround sound speakers.

Test Your Speakers Today

Whether you just bought new speakers or have yours for years, make sure you know how to test speakers if you never have before. This will ensure that you return new speakers in a timely fashion and that your old speakers are set up to give you the best sound possible.

If you found this article helpful, visit our lifestyle blog regularly for more tips and tricks.

Do you think you have a termite problem in your garden? Termites in your garden can wreak havoc on your garden and potentially kill or damage all of your produce and plants.

If you think you have a termite problem, it’s essential to address it quickly before real damage begins. The good news is that there are ways to take preventative measures and deal with the problem if you have termites.

If you’re not sure if you have termites, this is the article for you. In this article, we are going over 5 signs you might have termites in your garden.

1. Mud Tubes

If you start finding pencil-thin mud tubes around your home, this is a sure-tell sign that you might have a termite infestation. Termites create these tubes to protect their colony’s movement and to prevent them from drying out.

Make sure to look around your entire property and just around your garden. They move from your foundation or a tree and make their way over to your garden.

2. Frass Shows Up Around Your Garden

Frass is just another word for termite droppings. Termites will push out their droppings near the entrances of their nest.

These droppings will look light tan or dark brown and has a similar consistency to sawdust.

If you happen to find a powdery substance that pops up around your property or near your garden, you’ll want to confirm with a professional if you have termites and seek termite removal immediately.

3. Weakened Trees Around Your Home

Termites love to invade trees to colonize. Trees that are damaged by a termite infestation can put your property at risk for damage. These weakened trees can fall on your property and is another sign you may have termites.

If you notice any trees around your property that seem hollowed out or you notice a lot of branches or limbs falling, you may have a termite infestation. Look for any signs of frass near the base of your trees.

4. Swarms

When termites swarm, this is usually when the property owner actually sees that they have a termite problem. At this point, if you see a swarm of termites, you still might have time before damage to your garden is done.

When termites swarm, this is the stage that they’re setting up for colonization. If you find swarms near your garden or in your garden, you’ll need to establish a plan to eliminate the colonies.

5. Termite Wings

Look for discarded wings around your garden or other areas of your property. When a termite colony matures, they leave their nest to start a new colony. When this happens, they no longer need their wings and start to shed them. If you see wings, this a sign that termites are present.

Termites are attracted to lights, so if you have lights near your garden, check to see if there are any wings. If so, contact a professional immediately for termite removal.

What Should I Do if I Find Termites?

There are plenty of DIY articles out there on what you should do to manage termites. The best thing you can do is call a professional and verify that you may have a problem. If so, it’s best to leave it to a professional so you get it taken care of the right way.

If you try to fix the problem yourself, you could end up doing more damage to your garden or home.

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There is no denying that most homeowners are hesitant to get started on a home renovation project. This is because this venture has a tendency to go over budget rather quickly. As such, you are left with a significant amount of debt and an unfinished remodel on your hands.

Well, fortunately for you, this doesn’t have to be your experience. There are actually several precautions that you can take to ensure that your project doesn’t veer too far off the course. You can find out what these are below:

Focus on the Most Important Elements

It can be tempting to change virtually everything about your home. However, this isn’t really a feasible option for most homeowners. Thus, you should focus on the most significant features. For instance, if you want to improve the aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, and value of your home, you should consider replacement windows in Winnipeg as a top option. This feature adds value because it helps to insulate your house and prevent drafts. In turn, you will find it easier to keep your home warm during the warmer months.

At the same time, new frames can modernize your home and give it a fresh look. You find just what you are looking for, check out your options at the Edmonton office and showroom. Regardless of what kind of aesthetic you are going for, you are sure to be able to find the perfect fit for your house.

Create a Plan and Don’t Veer From It

One of the reasons that remodels can get so expensive is because you make random changes to your home without warning. As such, it can be difficult to determine just how much the renovation is going to cost you. To avoid this situation, you should always make a plan for your remodel.

Just as important, however, is sticking to this plan. Although you may be tempted to make last minute changes, you should curb this feeling. After all, you have put aside just enough money to complete the most important tasks. Don’t risk additional costs by making changes too late into the project.

Hire Reliable Experts

If you want your home remodel to go according to plan and stay on budget, you are going to need to hire reliable professionals. For one thing, professionals have the experience and expertise to keep problems to a minimum. Therefore, they will be able to get the project done on time and with less hassle.

When you select trustworthy individuals, you don’t have to worry about getting cheated when it comes to the costs of materials either. So, you should take the time to do your research and find contractors and professionals that are known for their expertise and reliability. This is one of the best ways to keep costs as low as possible.

As you can see, it is possible to avoid going over your budget when remodeling your home. For the best possible outcome, follow the advice that has been outlined here. You will then be able to complete the project without incurring any additional losses.

One of the most common questions homeowners ask themselves is if it’s worth spending money on renovations before selling their home. Nobody likes to spend hours of their time and thousands of dollars on renovating unless they see a return on their investment when the home is sold.

There’s not much point sprucing up your home before selling it if you’re going to be out of pocket. You don’t need to fix things up that the buyer will never notice and when it comes to decorating you need to remember it all comes down to personal taste. For instance, you could spend time and money on painting and/or carpeting that the buyer simply isn’t attracted to.    

Know The Current Market

If demand outweighs the supply in your local real estate market it’s definitely easier to sell your home as it is without the need for major renovations. This is simply because buyers don’t have much to choose from and are willing to do their own renovations if they feel it’s necessary. In addition, each potential buyer is unique as some prefer to fix up their new homes themselves while others shy away from houses that need work. Of course, the price is also a factor. If a home is more expensive then most buyers feel it shouldn’t need any additional renovating. On the other hand, if a house seems like a great deal then buyers usually don’t mind spending a little more to renovate it.

There are also those who buy low, do the necessary renovations and repairs, and then sell the home for a profit. But in general, most buyers are willing to spend time and money on minor renovations such as carpeting, painting, and replacing light fixtures etc. The selling and bidding price of a home is often affected by renovations. For example, if your home is worth $500,000 and you spend $50,000 on renovations you may want to list it at $550,000 to recoup your costs. On the other hand, if the buyer realizes the home needs $50,000 worth or renovations or repairs, they may offer just $450,000. In certain situations, it’s better for a seller to do the renovations first to make sure they get what they ask for in the sale since most buyers want homes that are in move-in condition.

Major Renovation

If a home needs major home remodeling renovations such as a new roof, you’ll find the number of interested buyers may be limited. It’s recommended that the cost of renovating is weighed against the value of the home in the current real estate market. If the value of the home doesn’t go up after the work, then it’s not a good investment. However, there are some types of renovations which typically work well when it comes to return on investment and these include the bathrooms and kitchen and painting the walls. If possible, it’s a good idea to tour several other homes for sale in your area to compare the condition of their kitchens and bathrooms. For example, if the majority of kitchens and bathrooms have been upgraded then you may want to do the same.

First Impressions

If your home has several visible areas that are in need of obvious repairs or renovations it will be harder to sell as you have only one chance to make a first impression on potential buyers. Some examples of minor renovations that should be taken care of include: leaky faucets, cracked walls/ceilings, broken appliances, stained/worn carpeting or walls, and broken windows/ fans/light fixtures. However, sometimes you might be able to get away with these things in a seller’s market. If you do decide to renovate, it’s often better to refurbish what you already have rather than replace it if possible as it’s more cost-effective.  A good real estate agent can help you determine what will give you the most bang for your buck.

In addition, you need to remember you’re renovating a home that you’ll never set foot in again after it’s sold. If you’re going to spend on renovations they don’t have to be to your personal taste. It’s recommended that you speak to a real estate agent to find out what most buyers are looking for. If most buyers prefer hardwood floors and you prefer carpeting, then hardwood floors may be the better option. It’s not easy to decide which areas of a home should be renovated before selling and that’s why it’s a good idea to speak to a realtor and/or general contractor. But perhaps the best way is to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and make a list of the things you’d be looking for when buying a home.

To Renovate or Not To Renovate?

It really comes down to the condition of your home, what you hope to get for selling it and the current market conditions in your area.  Regardless, make sure you work with a quality real estate agent as well as a good contractor to help you make the right choice.