Home improvement projects have the reputation of being expensive, time-consuming, and messy. However, there are many reasons to consider making some improvements to your home this year. From increasing your home’s value to improving your family’s quality of life, there are plenty of benefits to be had. So, whether you’re planning a major renovation or simply want to freshen things up, here are five reasons to improve your home this year.
1. You’ll Get More Enjoyment Out of Your Home
Making some improvements to your home can go a long way in making it a more enjoyable place to live. Whether you add a new deck for entertaining or renovate your kitchen to better suit your needs, you and your family will enjoy your home more when it’s been improved according to your liking.
You’ll also find that your home is a more pleasant place to come back to after a long day when it’s been updated and improved. Rather than coming home to a space that feels outdated or needs repair, you can relax and enjoy your well-appointed home.
Improvements can also make your home more enjoyable for your kids. And given, for example, in divorce cases, children often spend 277 days per year with the custodial parent; it’s important that your home is a place they enjoy being and feel comfortable in.
2. It Can Help You Save Money in the Long Run
While home improvements can certainly cost money upfront, they can actually help you save money in the long run. For example, upgrading your insulation can lower energy bills each month. Or, if you add a solar array to your home, you could reduce your electricity costs.
Other improvements, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or adding awnings to your windows, can also help you save money each month. These savings can add up to a significant amount of money in the long run, making your home improvement project well worth the investment.
3. You May Be Able to Increase the Value of Your Home
Making improvements to your home can also increase its value. This is especially true if you make upgrades that are in line with current trends. For example, installing a smart home system or adding a mother-in-law suite could make your home more attractive to buyers and lead to a higher sales price.
Even if you’re not planning on selling your home anytime soon, it’s still beneficial to increase its value. If you ever decide to sell, you’ll be glad you made the improvements when you see the return on your investment.
4. It Makes It Safer and More Durable
When you improve your home, you’re not just making it more enjoyable to live in. You’re also making it a safer and more durable place to call home. For example, in addition to being 100% recyclable, stone-coated steel roofing is lightweight at just 1.4 lbs per square foot and has a Class A fire-resistance rating and Class 4 hail impact resistance. This means not only will your home look great with a new roof, but it will also be better protected against fire and the elements.
Other safety-related improvements, such as installing smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, can also help keep your family safe. And, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, installing hurricane shutters can help protect your home from damage.
5. You Can Improve Your Family’s Quality of Life
Making improvements to your home can also positively impact your family’s quality of life. For example, if you have young children, adding a fence around your pool can help keep them safe. Or, if you want to make your home more accessible for an aging parent or family member, you can install grab bars in the bathroom or widen doorways to accommodate a wheelchair.
A relatively modest amount of upkeep is required for a new house constructed within the last 5 to 10 years, but older homes will require somewhat more. When a home reaches 20 or 30 years old, it’s probable that major components such as the roof will need to be replaced. However, as a homeowner, you do not need to wait until components fail before making improvements. Preemptive action to improve your home can avoid larger, more expensive problems later on.