Home improvement shows are pushing some Canadians to opt for the “reno” of their dreams instead of a project more in tune with their financial reality.
Recent surveys have found that 60 per cent of respondents who have renovated their home recently developed a budget before starting their project. However, 27 per cent of renovators spent more than they planned.
Maintaining a renovation budget can be challenging, especially when home improvement TV shows and magazines stir-up consumer appetites for the latest in home appliances and décor. Home renovators often have the best of intentions when it comes to sticking to their budget, but often the influence of renovation shows can force them into a ’stretch’ situation, which can cause major financial headaches when the final bill is tallied.
The ability to anticipate extra costs through appropriate financial planning can reduce the stress of home renovations. Experts suggest securing financing prior to the renovation, such as a personal or homeowners? line of credit, which provides the financial cushion most home renovators require. Having a line of credit available doesn’t mean that you have to use it, but it does provide added security if you hit unexpected expenses such as re-wiring your home.
While the survey showed that 68 per cent of respondents use cash from savings or investments to pay for renovations, a lack of planning could mean financial challenges down the road. The survey also showed that 34 per cent of homeowners are borrowing to renovate.
Home Improvement Shows Could Spoil Your Whole Marriage
Attempts to emulate TV ?fantasy homes? could be turning DIY into D.I.V.O.R.C.E, according to a new study from British Gas? Web site house.co.uk. Over half of our DIY is now inspired by TV shows, but 80% of families admit to having had arguments over failed makeovers.
Two in three families cite disagreement over color schemes being the likeliest source of a break-up.
The research was conducted to assess consumer attitudes to DIY. House.co.uk features a national directory of ‘trusted tradesman’, provided by HomePro Ltd, the leading online supplier of screened trade professionals.
Calling in a tradesman could help families avoid not just a dispute, but also a massive bill. Householders spend millions fixing their DIY disasters.
Uncertainty over house prices means that 84% are taking tips from TV shows and redecorating instead of moving to another home.
Top Ten Reasons for DIY disputes:
1. Disagreeing over color schemes
2. The person doing the DIY didn?t want to do it in the first place
3. Thinking it will be as easy as it looked on a TV show
4. Jobs not being completed
5. Finding the time to do DIY
6. Mess /disruption
7. Stress
8. Costs
9. Lack of basic DIY knowledge
10. Male/female differences of opinion
By: Leroy K. Calstard
Posts Tagged ‘Home Improvement’
TV Shows Can Hurt Home Improvement
March 26th, 2010How To Achieve High Home Improvement Value
March 21st, 2010
People think of their homes in different ways. The old adage – a man’s home is his castle – can be true for many men and women. Your home is also likely to be your biggest investment and as such it is deserving of continued upgrade to increase the home improvement value of your investment.
Or perhaps you’ve bought your home with a view to making some quick improvements and on-selling it.
Whatever your reasons for buying your house you will expect to see a rise in your home improvement value.
Estimating your home improvement value is a simple process and increasing that value can also be easy if you plan well. Regardless of where your home is located, or its amenity or size, it will have the potential for home improvement value. A simple rule of thumb in home improvements is that every dollar you invest should return you two dollars.
D-I-Y Improvements
Planning is the secret to increasing your home improvement value. Spend time in the planning stages and you’ll be rewarded in the renovation stage.
Start with pen and paper and two columns. In the first column list all the features that your house currently has, for example: two bedrooms, one bathroom, combined lounge/dining area, etc. In the other column write down the features you’d like to have in your home; for example four bedrooms, two bathrooms, rumpus room.
You may not be able to achieve everything you’ve written down in the second column; however, writing down the features that you desire is the first step in achieving your home improvement value.
Gaining Another Bathroom
Many people desire an en suite bathroom and this can be a great way to add value to your home. If the main bathroom is located adjacent to the master bedroom – as it frequently is – it can be a relatively inexpensive job to know a doorway between the two rooms. This will give you and immediate home improvement value!
Often a well-located closet can be turned into a toilet area, providing another boost to your home’s value.
Adding A Bedroom
Before you go to the expense of calling in a contractor, take a look at the present bedrooms. Do you have a large bedroom than could easily be divided into two smaller bedrooms by installing a stud wall? These bedrooms may be small but can give children or teenagers some much needed private space. What about a sun room or a veranda that can be closed in to provide a bedroom?
Adding bathrooms and bedrooms to a property is a great starting point to improving your home’s overall value.
If adding additional rooms is outside of you price range, then something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can transform a house or apartment. Keep the wall colors light and the ceilings and trim white if your aim is to make the rooms look larger.
In the bathroom and kitchen the addition of new taps and cupboard handles can brighten and add a contemporary touch to the rooms.
Remember the basic rule that a small investment now will turn into a big investment in the future. Keep making those small improvements and you’ll be able to watch your home improvement value grow over time.
By: Alison Stevens
Washington Home Improvement
March 19th, 2010
Everyone wants their home to look clean and attractive. In certain climates however, this can require a constant stream of effort that would wear anybody out. Many areas of the Washington state area have climates, which are more prone to cause the weathering and corrosion of home exteriors. This article is designed to show you how simple Washington home improvement can be. You don’t have to work around the clock to maintain your home’s siding, paint job, windows or gutter systems—even if you live in Washington.
Siding in Washington
Washington home improvement, at least exterior Washington home improvement, starts with the right kind of siding. For most homes there are three types of siding that are recommendable.
Fiber Cement Siding
The first is Fiber Cement siding. Fiber Cement siding is beneficial if you are looking for a low initial cost. It doesn’t rot or burn and it resists insect damage. However, on the down-side, Fiber cement siding does not help to resist extreme temperatures, whether cold or hot. Fiber cement siding is also very heavy, which adds additional weight to the foundation of your home. It is brittle, (which leads to chipping from nails), and is more subject to air gaps and porous defects. Before you purchase this type of siding you should ask yourself how long you plan to keep your home. If you plan to keep your home for a long period of time it is recommendable that you purchase a siding that is more durable.
Cedar Siding
Another type of siding is Cedar siding. Cedar siding increases the value of your home, beautifies your home with a natural look, increases the resell value of your home and resists heat loss or gain. On the down-side, cedar siding has a high initial cost, has very thin boards, and is becoming more scarce, (which means that the price of cedar siding is continually on the rise.
Swedish Siding
The last type of siding that we recommend to your consideration is Swedish siding. Swedish siding increases the value of a home and offers a beautiful natural look. In addition, it increases the resell value of a home and resists heat loss or gain. It is thicker than most siding and the trees that are used to make this type of siding are generally 100 yrs old—which makes for more durable siding. Unlike cedar siding, Swedish siding comes in abundant supply and only the select heartwood is used. Finding siding in Washington that will increase the value of your home and which will require less maintenance doesn’t have to be a difficult process if you do your research from the beginning. Washington home improvement does not have to be difficult.
Painting for Washington Home Improvement
Another aspect of Washington home improvement is the painting service that you choose for the exterior of your home. When looking for a painting service it is recommendable that you contact a Washington paint contractor that will ‘prep’ your home carefully before applying a paint job. A good ‘prep job’ includes water prep (i.e. pressure washing of the gutters, eaves, siding and house trim for the removal of loose dirt and old paint). A dry prep process is also recommended as are scraping, sanding, caulking and filling. For more information in regards to these Washington home improvement processes, please contact a professional Washington paint contractor in your area.
Windows for Washington Home Improvement
For additional Washington home improvement we also recommend bay area vinyl windows. These windows are gorgeous, they let in lots of light and in many cases they are usually amenable to customization. Finding replacement windows in Washington that really contribute to the aesthetic qualities of your home doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Consult with a bay area window expert if you have questions.
Gutter Systems Improvement
No one wants gutter leaks, unsightly nail-heads, downspouts or clogged gutters. Make sure you get durable gutters for your home. A less-than-quality gutter can lead to other problems on the exterior of your home so if gutters are the problem at your house, they should be taken care of as quickly as possible, especially if you plan to live in your home for a long period of time.
By: Marci Crane
