Our top 5 fall remodeling projects
So Labor Day has come and gone. Next thing you know, your mother-in-law will be calling asking about the holiday plans! Fall is a great time to undertake a remodeling project: the kids are back in school and the weather is more moderate for larger remodeling projects than summer or winter.
Here are Constructive Builders’ Top 5 Remodeling Projects for fall:
- Finish the basement. The whole family is about to be cooped up together and when this happens more room makes for a happier home. Get that basement finished up so you have another place to put: in-laws, rowdy kids, football watchers, holiday visitors, the drum set your kids get for x-mas, etc.
- Updgrade the kitchen. Kitchen remodels have some of the best return on investment, and it’s where your family spends the most of time, especially as the days turn shorter and the holiday come around. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Depending on what you have in place, there are creative ways to remodel without gutting the entire space.
- Fireplace renovations. Have an ugly hearth or a generic fireplace with no real character? Fall is a great time to spend a little bit to turn your fireplace in to a showpiece in your home. Tiling around the fireplace, adding a new custom wood mantle, or replacing the hearth can really jazz up this home feature, and the renovation will look great for Christmas stockings.
- Entertainment rooms. Are you ready for some football? Get your entertainment area in order this fall, whether it’s adding a room in the basement, adding built-ins for a new entertainment center or adding on to your house so that you have a dedicated area for TV and movie-viewing. This is a must-have room for winter sports, movie nights, kids sleepovers and more. Top features to consider: theater seating, acoustics, big screens, and electrical component containment.
- Remodel the guest bathroom. Before you have holiday company, spruce up the guest bathroom. Because a powder room doesn’t usually have as many fixtures as a master bath, this kind of remodel can be affordable. And, because all your guests see this room, you get a lot of “wow” power for your investment. A few ideas: an awesome sink with a custom faucet to add class and visual interest, new tile for floors and walls, new sink and toilet fixtures to update to the current styles, combining low-cost paint and wallpaper with modern lighting and new mirrors.
From small to large, remodeling in the fall will result in new spaces that you’ll love come winter. Don’t forget to contact us with any questions!
It’s a great time to build in Boulder County
As noted in an article this month in the Boulder County Business Report, “Low Bidders”, it is currently a buyer’s market for new construction and remodeling services in Boulder County.
Here’s what this means for you, a consumer considering anything from a new custom home to a small remodel project or addition:
- More willing bidders- this is especially good for you related to smaller projects like a new deck, a pergola, a small bathroom remodel, kitchen refresh, etc., because when companies are busy your small project is less of a priority. More willing bidders means there’s more competition to give you a good price.
- Faster project completion- Construction companies in Boulder County aren’t as busy as they once were (though we’re definately seeing signs of things picking up). This means that you won’t have to wait as long for your project to start, or suffer as many potential delays due to other projects interfering with yours. While good contractors (like us) will always make your job a priority, this is especially true now.
- Lower construction materials costs- A few years ago, prices on building materials were through the roof. Now, due to decreased demand worldwide the materials needed for a new home have come down in price.
Plus, since the housing market is a bit sketchy these days, it may make a lot more sense to add on to or remodel your current home. This way, you have a more live able space while you wait for the market to recover, and can then sell your house for a premium.
Contact Constructive Builders for estimates on any upcoming new construction or remodel projects in the Lafayette, Louisville, Boulder, Longmont, Denver, etc. areas.
Remodeling return on investment
There are lots of articles floating around on the web about which remodeling projects provide the best ROI for your dollars.
We think that many of these are helpful, but that you should first evaluate if you’re remodeling solely for re-sale or if you’re remodeling to make your current home more liveable for you. The latter is a lot more common these days, as we all decide to ride out the housing market and stay in our homes until values rise.
We’ve included some links below to remodeling ROI articles, but here’s our summary:
-Top ranked remodel projects for ROI are: Siding, new Windows, Kitchens, Bathrooms (esp. if your home only has 1 bathroom or if you have a floor of the house without a bathroom) and Decks.
-Most remodeling projects do not pay off 100% immediately, but you can usually get a complete return or make money off your remodel, within a few years.
ROI remodeling series from About.com
Reliable Remodeler article on ROI
Lowe’s Repair and Restoration ROI
While these are great figures to know, it’s also important that you gain some value and enjoyment from your remodel. If you love entertaining outdoors, a deck is going to have a greater ROI for you over a few years, because you’ll have enjoyment plus increased home value when you sell. If you need a quiet place to read, adding a front porch will benefit you more than a larger kitchen. Bottom line: Choose a remodeling project for both long term resale benefits and short term enjoyment benefits.
Constructive Builders can complete all types of remodeling projects: from completely new kitchens and baths, to additions, pop-tops, decks, siding and more.
