D. Michael Burke Bonita Springs – Estero-Naples Real Estate: Thinking of Selling, but Need a Few Renovations?

As published in The News Press August 13, 2011

Thinking of Selling, but Need a Few Renovations?

By D. Michael Burke

You may be a homeowner who is thinking of selling your home, but you know you need some renovations to make it market-ready. With numerous steps and details involved in the renovation process, it is easy to become overwhelmed and spend more money than is truly necessary. The point is you can make those renovations without depleting your bank account!

The following tips provide useful information that will keep you from going over budget.

Work in the off-season. Some jobs, like pouring concrete and applying stucco, are best done in the off-season when things are slow and labor costs may be cheaper.

Avoid structural changes. Moving walls and adding foundations also raise the bill. If you must add more space, steal it instead of adding on; grab it from an adjoining closet or room, or even the hollow between studs.

Work with what you’ve got. Unless you’re dealing with structural issues or water damage, it’s likely that not everything needs to be replaced. If you’ve got a good set of cabinets, why trash the boxes when just replacing the cabinet doors will do?

Leave appliances, fixtures and outlets in the same locations. Running new lines drives up costs. Only when you’ve planned for such changes is it the right time to go to the trouble of rewiring and plumbing so that a range can sit where the fridge once stood.

Consult an engineer. An architect and contractor are trained to know all types of materials. Ask one to make recommendations for thrifty alternatives.

Buy all appliances or fixtures at one time and on sale, if you have a place to store them. Purchasing items in bulk can often garner you a discount from the retailer.

Stick with normal colors. By that, I mean choose standard color wheel options or neutrals, which are manufactured in the greatest numbers, and the efficiency is passed on in the price.

Opt for factory finishing. Cabinets, floors and even entire houses are now available factory finished, allowing for faster installation.

Make decisions based on quality, not just price. The decision between low-quality and mid-quality could be the difference between selling your home or not selling it.

Consult your Realtor^®. Your Realtor can be a very big help in deciding where your money will count the most.

Rule out thoughtless change orders. Nothing busts a budget faster than changing a plan or materials after work is underway. The time you invest in planning now will pay off as work gets underway. If you do run into any changes, minimize them.

Seek multiple bids. For large-scale work, pursue the best possible bids for the job. Have more than three licensed and insured contractors provide a detailed bid, including labor and materials, so you can really compare and analyze each.

Ask for detailed pricing. You thought you did this when you asked for bids, right? But when you remodel anything, you have several categories of pricing. There can be masonry work, millwork, cabinetry, framing, drywall, doors, windows, plaster, stone and tile, electrical audio and video, etc. The more information the contractor gives you in terms of what something costs—and individual breakdown, item by item—the more likely you are to stay on budget.

You can benefit by purchasing materials through a professional. Architects and contractors have relationships with suppliers who offer purchasing efficiencies that save time. A big upside in using this service is that whoever orders the products also assumes responsibility if something goes wrong or is damaged or missing—not you.

I hope these informative tips help you get your home renovated quickly and efficiently. Naturally, when the work is done and you’re ready to sell, make sure your Realtor knows the market and can get you the highest price for your home!

By D. Michael Burke, P.A. Keller Williams Elite Realty

Michael@CoconutPointRealEstate.com

www.CoconutPointRealEstate.com