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6 Popular Spring Home-Renovation Projects

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Via:  xxjefferson51  •  9 years ago  •  1 comments

6 Popular Spring Home-Renovation Projects

Whether youre looking to spruce up your abode for personal satisfactionor to up your homes value for sellingwe tapped two renovation experts to weigh in on just how worth it six common springtime improvement projects are, given their typically hefty price tags.

As it turns out, many of them arent worth the investment or headacheand in some cases, you can get the same effect by shelling out a lot less with these alternative renovation hacks.

Project #1: Landscaping

Seeing buds on the trees is inspiringwho wouldnt want a green lawn coated with fresh blossoms?

But if youre thinking less rosebush-by-the-fence and more front-lawn-turned-botanical-garden, your wallet can take a real hit.

Individual plants, at $5 to $15 each, can really add up if you want to line a walkway or the front of a house, says Harrison Wilson, co-owner of L&H Construction, which serves the greater Boston area. Add in bark mulch and some shrubs, and you can easily spend $500 to $1,000 just on nice flower beds in your front yard.

On top of that, a higher-priced home might necessitate professional landscapers, says Jerry Grodesky, managing broker at Farm and Lake Houses Real Estate in Loda, Ill. Depending on the areas size, that could easily start at $20,000.

How to Get More Bang for Your Reno Buck Your homes curb appeal isnt necessarily a less-than-worth-it renojust keep the big picture in mind when deciding which lawn-care moves to invest in.

If youre planning on selling your house, dont waste money on things that dont affect the property immediatelylike fertilizing, planting seeds, aerating the lawn, or insect control, Wilson says, adding that you may want to put that money toward, say, planting tulip bulbs to greet would-be buyers.

But if a move isnt imminent, Wilson says, dont buy all established plants that will add up in cost, and try planting seeds for a fraction of the price. With a little patience, youll eventually have that dream garden.

And dont forget that a little bit of lawn maintenance goes a long way.

Mowing; weeding; edging along gardens, walkways and the driveway; raking leaves; and trimming the hedges can make a huge difference, Wilson says. Add in a few inexpensive flowers for a little color, and youll have a transformed yard. http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2015/03/24/6-popular-spring-home-renovation-projects/?intcmp=fbtopstories


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link   seeder  XXJefferson51    9 years ago

Project #4: Replacing the Carpeting

Now that the wool socks have been shed for the season, who wouldnt want to feel plush fibers underfoot?

A new carpet can really up a homes luxe factorbut its short lifespan means buying the pricey stuff just isnt worth it.

Carpets are advertised as being inexpensive to buy and install until they show you which ones are for the advertised price, Wilson says. Going from $2 to $4 per square foot doesnt sound like a huge differenceand then you realize you need 600 square feet.

And thats a high price to pay for something you may replace in five or so years. Carpets stain, they hold more germs than any other [type of] floor, they get worn, and they get dated, Wilson says. Theyre a temporary install every time.

How to Get More Bang for Your Reno BuckA lower-cost alternative if youre simply looking for a bit of a design refresh? Self-adhesive carpet tileswhich you can buy in packs of 1016 squares for about$40external-link.png.

But, says Grodesky, that may not be an adequate sub-in if youre looking for something that feels good under your feet.

Most people judge carpet by the sensation of walking on it, so often its more cost-effective to buy a less expensive carpet and use a more luxurious-feeling pad to place underneath, he says.

And for those looking to sell soon, Grodesky offers some specific advice.

You may not choose the appropriate color for the next owner, so it may be better to offer a carpeting allowance at closing, he suggests. This takes the issue off the tableand sometimes produces a quicker sale.

 
 
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