South Africans spend millions each year on home improvement, decorating and general doing up. We're spending more money than ever on our homes. Some of these home improvements are necessary, and much of it is for pleasure. Often the motivation for a South African's home improvement is not just to create a more pleasant place to live, but to add value to the home.
Planning A Home Improvement
So, you've been agonizing over home improvement magazines and websites. Every time you step into another room in your home, you imagine what it could look like. You sit in your family room and dream of the comforts that will soon surround you. You can't wait to begin your renovations and live the life of luxury. The possibilities are endless. You consider adding a swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a thatched lapa and braai area, or converting your garage into a recording studio.
The focus of your home improvement may simply be enhancing the time you spend in your home and improving your quality of life. You may feel that simply increasing your enjoyment of the home will be well worth the investment of time and money spent on the home improvement, but it may be wise to keep in mind that if you plan properly, you may be able to recover much of the cost of the home improvements later when you decide to sell! Now, that would make you smile twice, wouldn't it?
Think twice before making extravagant changes, and opt for the more practical instead. It is always best to choose neutrality.
Neutral colours and classic styles that do not date quickly are usually the smartest choice. Bold choices in paint colours may exude creativity to you, but may eliminate many potential buyers who have their own ideas for their new home. If the colours are neutral, buyers can imagine the home in any colour. The broader your home's appeal, the more likely you will be to find somebody willing to pay your asking price. Home improvement can involve a large financial and emotional investment, so make sure that the changes you make are the best for you in the long-term.
The right changes and additions will add value. They can make a home more attractive to a buyer, making it quicker to sell or help achieve a higher price.
Unfortunately it is not that easy to predict which home improvements will be good investments and which bad. Your real estate agent should be able to clear up any doubts in choosing home improvements that suit your financial goals as well as your dreams for a perfect home.
Enlist Professionals
A wise soul once said "If you want it done right, don't do it yourself"
In a brief walk-through, a real estate agent can help you identify those areas of your home where some improvement would have the most impact on its resale value. With expert knowledge of real estate trends and the features of homes that have recently sold well, a real estate agent can advise you as to what changes to make if you want to improve your home's saleability.
Of course, those changes might not be in line with the changes you most want to make. But if you decide to add that wine cellar, instead of the additional bathroom the real estate agent recommends, at least you'll do so fully informed.
Building Inspection
It may pay to have a builder inspect your home before you begin any major home improvement. By identifying a structural problem like water damage or termite infestation before you build a new room, you can save thousands in duplicated work.
Follow these tips to get a comprehensive inspection:
- Beware a builder in fancy clothes! He / she should get dirty crawling around, checking all the nooks and crannies of your home.
- Make sure the inspection is thorough. A detailed inspection should take longer than half an hour.
- Tag along and ask lots of questions. Make sure you understand all of the builder's comments and recommendations. What's critical? What's something to be aware of for the future?
It's also important to look into your home insurance policy before having any work done. Ask your insurance broker if your home is "insured to value". Make sure that any previous changes you have made to the home are also brought current on your insurance policy.
Also, consider updating or adding coverage for worker injury, theft, fire, and weather-related wear before begining a significant project.
Architects And Designers
Architects and designers work with home improvements every day. They know how to make the ordinary home look extra special. They might cost a little more, but they are worth every cent, especially for big projects.
Architects and designers know where to find those special accessories that will enhance your new home inprovements. They will also be able to suggest the fine touches that you wouldn't think of in a million years!
Interior Decorators
Interior decorators can maximise an addition to your home by combining utility and style in the furnishing thereof. Raw creativity rarely upstage training and experience where style is concerned.
If your budget does not allow for interior decorators, you can always opt for more affordable interior decorating, and do it yourself.
Home Improvement
Remember that you are still in control of the home improvement, even though you employ professionals to help. Don't allow anyone to take you on a runaway ride of unnecessary or unwanted repairs and home improvements!
