7 Tips for Home Improvement from Coldwell Banker

If you choose wisely, home improvements can raise the value of a property investment. See these 7 tips to do your home improvement right.

While improving one’s lifestyle is a fundamental reason for a home renovation, homeowners should also be aware that with proper research, planning and thoughtfulness, home improvements can ultimately raise the value of a property investment.

The professionals at Coldwell Banker have identified several things homeowners should consider before home renovations begin.

Think Long-Term Home Improvement: Remodeling Magazine reported that money spent on a kitchen remodel produces the highest return on investment. Bathroom renovations and adding additional rooms such as guest bedrooms or studies also traditionally score well. Homeowners should consult with a local real estate sales associate to determine if their plans will positively influence the resale value. A sales associate may be able to offer suggestions on renovations that will provide a significant return on investment.

Healthy Balance: While homeowners should consider a home’s future value when making renovations, changes that enhance their lifestyle should also come into play. More size, better layout and contemporary looks can help a family find more pride in their home and increase the home’s overall value. Life-altering milestones – like having children, having extended family move in and work-at-home-jobs – provide good cause to renovate.

Seek Out Referrals: Once committed to the process, hiring the right home improvement contractor is critical. A great way to choose a contractor is to contact salespeople at stores where contractors buy their supplies, such as lumberyards, window stores, cabinet shops and hardware stores. It is also a good idea to speak with friends, family and neighbors that have been through the process before, as well as check the Web sites of local community associations.

Obtain Multiple Bids: Always get at least three estimates on a project. Contractors can bid on the same project using different prices and timeframes. Check that all the bids are based on the same scope and quality of work, which is the only way to do a fair and effective comparison.

Interview Your Home Improvement Contractors: It is important for the homeowner to talk about a contractor’s style and process. A strong rapport and close communication with the contractor will increase the likelihood of the project going smoothly. If, for example, the homeowner will want to know every detail during the project, they probably will not be content with a contractor that provides little information during the interview. It is also important to verify that the contractor has a license and insurance certificate. Most states require a contractor to carry worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability insurance.

Follow up on References and Verify the Contractor’s License: Be sure to check the contractor’s credentials. Ask how many similar jobs the contractor has completed, how much experience they have, whether they guarantee their work and who will be in charge of the project. Reputable contractors typically supply names and phone numbers of recent references. It is worth calling a minimum of three people to verify the contractor’s credentials. There are several good questions to ask: Did the reference pay a fair price, was the work done properly and would the reference hire the contractor again? Did the contractor show up every day and finish the project when expected?

Contact Local Consumer Protection Agencies: Call the local or state consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau to check if there have been any unresolved complaints registered against the contractor. Also contact the state’s contractor licensing agency and local building inspectors to confirm that the contractor has a clean record.

For more information about home improvements check out this section of Blue Matter.

Lindsay is the the Director of Media Engagement for Coldwell Banker Real Estate and manages the brand’s media and social media department. She is also a licensed real estate professional. In 2017 & 2018, she was named a top 20 social influencer in the real estate industry in the annual Swanepoel 200 power rankings.

Lindsay lives in Livingston, NJ with her college sweetheart and now husband Joe and rwelcomed another Joe into her life as she became a mom in June 2016.

Subscribe to Blue Matter and get the latest updates

7 Comments

  1. Amy Anderson
    August 9, 2017

    To find the best house you must work hard to achieve your goal all the above seven points were very useful when you want to buy a house or any type of property must revise all the seven points in your mind

    Reply
  2. Findpro
    August 18, 2017

    Home decorating or improving is the challenging thing to do. Hiring a specialist that know what to do is the most important thing. These tips will come in handy if someone is looking for home improvement.

    Reply
  3. Joyce Henry
    August 19, 2017

    Truly, the home improvement tips you have shared here are worthwhile. I would like to thank you for sharing such amazing info with us. Yes, home is our stronghold and being a homeowner, we have the rights to feel agreeable and safe while staying within these four wall. But if anyone feels unsafe, that means his home is not in a good order. Well, in that case he should do the much needed home improvements by hiring a well efficient contractor in order to make his home a joyous Zion as it is expected to be.

    Reply
  4. Ralph Hughes
    August 30, 2017

    Home renovation and home improvement are a difficult and long process. Basically, this process is based on decorating techniques, planning, new research about tools and equipment’s. Thanks for sharing the beneficial tips regarding the home improvement; it’s really helpful for us. Nice Post!

    Reply
  5. Erica
    October 4, 2017

    Great post Lindsay! I completely agree that the kitchen should be one of the main focuses when it comes to a home renovation. This is where we tend to see the greatest return on our investment.

    Reply
  6. Alice Le Tissier
    November 7, 2017

    I have recently just purchase a house and through out the whole process of going to view properties, the ones that stood out were definitely the ones with nice kitchens and bathrooms. These make such big impressions in a house, it’s definitely worth getting it right.

    Reply
  7. Home Reno Direct
    November 8, 2017

    I couldn’t agree more Lindsay, always double check to make sure your local contractor is credible and has good customer reviews. You can contact your local BBB, chamber of commerce. It is also very important that they are insured and have a valid license!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Share on Facebook Share on Twiiter Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram Share on Email