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If your home is looking a little worse for wear, then you’re going to need to make some changes. It might even be the case that it’s gotten to a point where a few simple changes aren’t going to do it anymore and you’re going to need to complete a fair chunk of home renovations. No matter, because you’ve got time and you can save up money if you don’t have it right now so it’s not something that you need to stress about yet.
What we are going to do though is take a look at some of the popular home renovations that you might want to get done to give you some inspiration. They may not all appeal to you, some of them might not apply to you depending on your home, but these are just inspiration points. So, without further ado, if you’re ready to get into this, keep reading.
Home Renovations That Can Enhance Your Property and Lifestyle
Loft Conversion
One of the most popular home renovations at the moment are loft conversions. Now, most homes have lofts, but not all of them can be converted. You are going to need a professional to come out, take a look, and see what is and isn’t going to be possible. Whether it can be done or not is going to heavily depend on aspects like the shape of your loft, the roof itself, and a whole range of others that we’re not going to get into.
You do need to know though that loft conversions are on the pricier side of the home renovation list. They cost a lot of money, but some companies offer finance options, you could take out a loan to pay for it, or simply save up for it. It depends how urgently you need the space, or how much you want your loft conversion.
What you should never do though is just get one quote. You always need to get a good pool of quotes so that you can see what you should be paying for it, and what is just too far on the expensive side.
Extension
If you need some more space in your home, or you simply want some more space in your home, then an extension is the way to go. As long as you have enough room round the side or the back of your home, then you’re all good to go. Again, you’re going to need to get a contractor to come and give you some estimates. You need to know how long it is going to take, how much it is going to cost, and any other information that you are interested in learning.
However, if you fancy yourself as quite the handyman and you know what you’re doing, you can even submit the planning permission yourself, get the materials and build it on your own or with the help of some of your friends. It honestly depends on your skills, on what you want to do, and if you feel able to take on this challenge.
Should you decide that you’ve got this handled, you need to make sure that you have all of the right materials and tools to get the job done. For example, you’re going to need to look into good quality equipment such as Makita impact drivers to power through those harsher materials, saws, sanders, and so much more. In fact, it’s probably going to be in your best interests to make a list, do your research so that you can find the best tools and materials, and then go from there.
New Flooring
Sometimes it’s just nice to have new flooring. Maybe you don’t like the flooring that you have currently. Maybe it’s worn, it has scratches or holes depending on what material it is, or maybe it’s just time for something new. You should take a look at a range of types of flooring, determining which is going to be best for you based on what you like, what you don’t like, and what is going to work for certain areas. What we mean by this is that you wouldn’t have carpet in the kitchen, would you? No, because it would stain super easily, and it could even be a fire hazard which you just don’t need.
With flooring, you may be able to lay it yourself if you don’t want to spend the money on someone to fit it for you. It’s not actually that difficult, depending on the type of flooring you get, it’s just a lot of work and you’ve got to be precise. But, the option is there.
Paint The House
Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. If your house is looking a little dull and muted, then painting the house is going to be your best option. You should take the time to do both the inside and the outside to ensure that you don’t have to do this again for a few years at least, and no, we don’t mean use the same colour!
Pick a colour for inside, or multiple if you want different ones in different rooms. Then, pick a colour outside and get to work. You will find painting the exterior to be a lot harder than the interior, so you may want to cut your losses here and hire a professional for that task.
Get New Windows
Something else to do that will give your home a brand new feel is install new windows. Over time your existing windows can let in cold air and this isn’t good for keeping your home warm during winter. It can cost you a lot of money trying to heat your home when the heat just escapes through cracks and crevices. If your windows are quite old and they were installed a long while ago, you might want to shop around for new ones. Unless you are a qualified window fitter, you will need to pay someone to do this for you.
Change To Open Plan
If your home feels cramped and crowded currently then you may be wishing for an open plan. This is totally possible and you just need to decide which parts you want to open up. Typically people will open up the living area and dining area, just so they can keep an eye on children and pets from the kitchen. This is a sought after renovation and doing this can add around 10% to the asking price of your home if you ever come to sell it. Bear that in mind when you are completing any renovations. If they are done well enough, people will pay for that and appreciate your hard work.
If you don’t want to do this yourself then you could speak to a contractor about how they can help you. Make sure you shop around as you don’t want to be paying over the odds for a job you can get cheaper elsewhere. You can add in pretty archways when you choose an open plan, so you don’t have to think of your home as having no internal walls!
Consider What’s Green
Another thing you could do is consider green friendly options for your home. This includes using a renewable energy source. Two of the most popular options for households include wind and solar power depending on what works best for you. If you decide to go for solar panels then the best thing you can do is install these in winter. That gives them a chance to gain lots of power before summer and the next winter rolls around.
Speak to your local solar power company, or you may have had a leaflet through your door. They will be able to come and speak to you about prices and how many you might need. Solar panels are an investment and will actually add value to your home.
Low Maintenance Garden
Finally, once you have finished all your wants and needs inside then how about heading to the garden. Many people neglect the garden, thinking it will sort itself out. If you love the rest of your home then pay close attention to the garden as well. This will ensure you have somewhere nice to sit and chill when the warmer weather rolls around.
Decide what you want to do to your garden, it might be that you have long grass and weeds that need to be taken care of. The plants that have died might also need to be cut down ready for the new season. Winter can take its toll on your garden so make sure you show it the love it deserves.
Swapping your real grass to astroturf can save you quite a bit of time mowing, however, you also need to look after it. If you want it staying nice and in good condition then you should hoover it or sweep it every so often.
We hope you found this article helpful and it gave you some insight into the most common home renovations that you might want to do. Making a list including prices will ensure you have everything you need before you get started.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
