Home renovations typically aren’t anybody’s idea of a good time, so when it comes to getting it done, it’s important to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and that the outcome will be worth the stress, investment, and inconvenience.  Consider these right – and wrong – reasons for renovating and choosing to upgrade your home.

The Best

Your Home is Outdated

If it has been several years since you moved into your home, or you purchased a home that is older and in need of some attention, renovating can be the perfect solution.  In some cases, purchasing an older home can save you money in the initial purchase cost, and this is good money for you to put towards a renovation. When you decide to take on your renovation, whether it be a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, spend some time researching the current trends in home decorating, what the season’s colours and styles are, and how you can update and modernize your home through a renovation in a streamlined and timeless way.

You are Preparing to Sell

Completing a renovation before you sell your home can be a great idea for several reasons, especially if you focus on a room that is a big selling point of the house such as the kitchen or bathroom.  First, it can ensure you have a better outcome when it comes to having a buyer conduct a home inspection: newer homes, or newly renovated homes, with up to date appliances, lighting, windows and doors, will bode better in an inspection. In addition, if you renovate before you sell, you can often increase the value of your home and elicit a higher market value.

You Can Appreciate the Results

Maybe the kids have moved out and now you don’t have to worry about having crayon marks all over the wall. Or maybe living without kids frees up a room that once was used for games and entertainment and can now be used as a more sophisticated lounge room for you and your own group of friends.  In several cases, people renovate after living in the house for several years because their lifestyle, preferences, or choices in decorative style have changed and they want to update the home to reflect that.  In many ways, a home is a reflection of a person’s personality and style, so this can be a great reason to plan a renovation.

You are Ready to Save Energy and Improve Efficiency

Older houses, built before solar panel technology, or before there was as much emphasis on saving power and going green, lack the energy efficiency benefits of newer homes. With a few small changes however, you can convert your home to a more energy efficient selection.  Install solar panels, or make a change to the way your home is heated. Go green in the kitchen when renovating it by purchasing energy efficient appliances. All of these are great reasons to renovate and may get you a new modernized looking home at the same time!

The Worst

You are Trying to Save Money

Unfortunately, in most cases, renovating or home remodelling is not going to be a way to save money. When you launch into a home renovation project, it is important to do so with a budget, but also to be aware that the project may go over that budget and that you need to be flexible with the amount you have to spend.  In addition, because home renovations are a time investment, it is likely something that you want to spend the necessary money on so that you get results that you are happy with and do not have to do it over any time soon!

You Want to Try out a Weekend Project

Many people latch onto home renovation plans and ideas because they have recently started doing handy work and are eager to try their hand at a new project.  While fixing things up around the house is one thing, taking on a complete home renovation is another.  There are a lot of complex aspects to home renovating, especially when it comes to things such as dealing with electrical work, plumbing, ensuring the building meets city codes and inspection standards, and maintaining proper safety standards. Unless you know what you are doing and have some experience, it’s better to leave the home renovations to the professionals, and refrain from taking this on as your next DIY project.

You Want a New House

There is a difference between doing a home renovation and completely gutting a house and starting fresh, and it’s important to get clear on your expectations of your home project before you begin.  If you are entering into a home renovation with visions of having practically a whole new home at the end, you will likely be better off hitting the real estate market and looking for a house to purchase.  On the other hand, if you want to have a few rooms get a facelift, or have a new kitchen, a home renovation may be just what you need.

You are Just Jumping on a Trend

If your main reason behind renovating is because someone else is doing it, because you saw a new trending look in a magazine that you are sure you have to have, or because you want to have your home look like someone else’s, unfortunately your motives may not be optimal to give you the best results.  Before you launch into a renovation, make sure you have a clear plan and valid motivation – the renovation may take some time, be expensive, and be a major inconvenience while it’s underway, so doing it for the wrong reasons will make it hard to stick it out to the end.

Are you ready to tackle your home renovation? Whether it is a new kitchen, remodelling your bathroom, or making some minor renovations around the house in preparation for selling, TRO Canada is the place to call.  Our expert team will make sure they have everything covered when it comes to getting you the results you want in a timely and economical way. Call us today to find out more!