Whether you plan to remain in your Home Improvement for years and years to come, or you’re thinking about putting it on the market, Home Improvement offers benefits. For those planning to stay in place, remodelling projects can help you do more with what you have, and have your home better reflect your lifestyle, family size and configuration, and even employment status.
For those thinking about selling their home, home improvement projects are more about building value and curb appeal in order to get the highest price possible and to encourage potential buyers to schedule walk throughs. What are the most popular home improvement projects, though, and how do they benefit you? Here’s a closer look at some of the current and emerging trends that might inform your own decisions where your home is concerned.
The Kitchen
There is no more popular renovation option today than remaking the kitchen. As more and more Australian families find that they either want or have to remain in their current homes, it becomes more important to make those kitchens reflect their lifestyles and meet their needs. Kitchen renovations can be of any scope – large or small – and can involve a tremendous range of different things.
For instance, you might choose to tear out your old cabinets and counters, and have a new sink, and updated cabinets installed. Natural stone countertops offer decades of durability and amazing good looks, and modern cabinets can provide significantly better storage for dishes, cookware and the like. Of course, you’ll need to make sure to work with plumbers in Perth to install the plumbing for your new sink and dishwasher, as well as the garbage disposal if you decide to go that route.
The Bathroom
Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most commonly remodelled room in Australian homes. These renovations are often made as homeowners realise that their bathrooms don’t have to be boring, dull utilitarian spaces. They can be bright and airy, or sleek and modern. They can tie into the overall aesthetic of the home. They can even be a tranquil oasis away from the rigors of the day, where you go to unwind and relax. Sitting in a new spa or soaker tub with a glass of vino can do wonders for your stress levels!
As with kitchen renovations, bathroom remodelling projects come in all shapes and sizes. You might choose to do something simple, like painting the bathroom and investing in new light fixtures. On the other hand, you might choose to hire plumbers in Perth to install a new stand-up shower with a frameless design, or a new sink and vanity. You could choose to replace the flooring and hire a plumber to install your new low-flow toilet.
Room Addition
Room additions are quite popular as they provide the means to handle almost any life change or additional need on the part of homeowners. For instance, a new bedroom could be built for an unexpected new addition, or for use by an aging family member who is no longer able to care for themselves. Room additions can also be related to less drastic life changes.
For instance, you could add a room to serve as a game room for the family, or as a new living room. It could be turned into a home theatre room, or something else completely. Room additions will not require hiring a plumber unless you intend to install a bathroom, wet bar or kitchenette, but you will need the services of a skilled carpenter, a roofer, and an electrician. A painter may also be needed.
Windows and Doors
Even if your home is only a decade or so old, you’ll find that replacing the windows and doors can be a great way to add usability, value and even energy savings. Old windows are perhaps the most common renovation option here.
Single-pane, unglazed windows are not particularly energy efficient, and can be responsible for a significant amount of heat and cooling loss during the summer and winter. Replacing those old windows with double-pane, UV-resistant models will update the look of your home, but also help you reduce your energy usage and cut down on the amount you spend per month for heating and cooling.
Replacing exterior doors and weather-stripping can also be an important step toward better home efficiency, as well as for security. A modern entry door can offer more strength against potential intruders, and also does a better job of preventing heat and cooling loss to the environment.
Basement Renovation
Does your home have a basement? If so, chances are good that you’ve long thought about transforming its dungeon-like appearance into something more family friendly and usable. Sure, you could always use it as storage space, but there are plenty of basement renovation jobs that can be done to help you get more value for your money.
The basement is a great place for a man cave, for instance. If the man of the house wants his own space, whether it’s to sit back and enjoy sports on TV, or a place for his woodworking hobby, the basement can be renovated to suit. Of course, basements can also serve very well in terms of new family rooms, game rooms, home theatres and the like. They can also be turned into granny units if you find that you need to care for an aging family member.
Because of the size of your basement, you can install a full bathroom and even a kitchen if your loved one wants a degree of independence. Of course, the more in-depth your renovation, the greater your need will be to work with general contractors, flooring installers, and plumbers in Perth. Special considerations will also need to be made with your hot water system to ensure a supply of hot water at the new taps being installed in the basement.
Decks and Patios
When we think of the living space in our home, most of us automatically think of space that is under the roof. However, your yard also offers additional living space. Adding decks and patios can help you make the most use out of that space. A simple wooden deck can offer several hundred square feet of outdoor living space for cooking out or entertaining. Of course, you can also go to the other end of the spectrum – many homeowners in the Perth area are installing patios that include outdoor kitchen areas. You can cook and entertain in the same space, without setting foot indoors. Visit this site to see how durable is western red cedar siding and decking?
As with most of the remodelling and renovation projects, you’ll need to work with skilled professionals. If you’re going the route of a basic outdoor deck, you’ll only need a carpenter, or just a handyman in many cases. However, if you’re interested in a stone patio, you’ll want to work with a mason who can design a custom patio that will meet your needs. This is even more important if you decide that an outdoor kitchen is in your future. You may even need to hire plumbers in the Perth area if you want an outdoor sink or other plumbing fixtures.
Roof Repair/Replacement
We tend to think about roof replacement as something we do because it’s necessary, not because we want to. That’s often because roof replacement is very costly. However, the truth of the matter is that there are few better selling points for an older home if you’re thinking about selling. There’s also the fact that a new roof can add years of usability to your home if you plan on staying.
When it comes to roof replacement, think beyond the box. Why go back with the same type of roofing material you had before? If your home used asphalt shingles, why not upgrade to a metal roof for longer-lasting protection and better style? Or, you could consider going with terra cotta tiles, or even slate tiles if you really wanted to boost curb appeal and extend the lifespan of your roof.
Storage Additions
We all accumulate stuff. It packs our attics and fills our basements and garages. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. A storage building can provide you with plenty of capacity and open up areas of your home for more use. Alternatively, you can use a standalone storage building for other needs. If your home lacks a basement, a large storage building makes an excellent man cave. It can also be used as a craft centre, or simply for storing things like lawn equipment that you no longer want to clutter up the garage.
There are plenty of different home renovation and remodelling projects that can add value, usability and curb appeal to your home. The most important thing is to call in the professionals when you need them. If you’re in need of plumbers in Perth to help with any sort of project, we invite you to contact us at Hilton Plumbing.
