To Renovate or Repair
To Renovate or Repair
When should a Homeowner choose between a Home Renovation and Home Repairs? Although this might not be a very easy decision, it’s not a difficult one either. It simply takes an understanding of which of Today’s home construction items are worth renovating and which ones are better off being repaired. Particularly if you’re thinking of selling your Home, it might really be of great help if you would be able to determine whether to repair or renovate it to get the most worth in selling your Home.
Let me start by explaining the distinction between a Renovation and a Repair. A Renovation involves the removal of an existing or an old feature and its replacement with a completely new one. For example, new windows & doors in replacement for old ones or a replacement water heater for an old water heater are both examples of renovations. A repair is the modification of an existing or old home feature to bring it back to its original performance level.
In many cases, Home Renovations are usually simpler for the most part. However, these less complicated ways aren’t always as cost effective as the house repairs would be. For example, if you replace a home feature that has lasted for thirty years with a newer model, that only has a life expectancy of 5 or 10 years, it certainly isn’t very cost effective. After all, you’re only going to have to replace the same home feature in less than half the time that the original one existed.
Although this might not always be the case, several renovations involve replacing quality items with substandard ones. Let’s face it; often there are few things made with the same high standards of quality that were applied in the past. The desire to attain higher profits has changed all of that for many of today’s product, including home construction merchandise and materials.
This is not to say that some items have not improved. In fact, advances in technology have led to several helpful and efficient enhancements in several sides of home construction products including heating systems. Sadly, today’s “throw away” society has also led to a rise in disposable products engineered to last five or so years.
Determining when to repair or renovate involves the assessment of the project. Which strategy will really lead to an upgrade in efficiency and which one can only lead to an upgrade in appearance? Is fashion more important than energy efficiency? Will the existing feature perform well enough to merit its repair?
Should the homeowner base his decision on the merit of what the company’s representative says or should he do some analysis on his own instead? Let’s have a look at the simple truth that corporations are in the market to sell their products and services. What do you expect them to tell you? Do your own analysis into the merits of repair vs. renovation first. Once you have come to a decision as to repairing or renovating the feature, it’s time to listen to what the company’s representative has to say.
Have a Real Estate Question, give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 or visit www.KathyHyatt.com