Least Cost-Effective House Repairs

Everybody spends on house maintenance and renovation once in a while to keep their happy homes in top shape. It can get confusing once you list possible house repairs, and while some can yield a higher return upon selling, there are some that will just drain your wallets and will not really increase the value of the house. You can do quick fixes here and there but always think of its effect should you decide to sell the house in the future. To guide you, here are the least cost-effective house repairs you should skip on your list.

Replacing Your Roof

Unless a storm have ravaged most of your rooftop, replacing or remodeling your roof can damage your wallet for around $20,000, but only return an average of $10,000 once the house is sold. A roof’s value is usually measured in years rather than in dollars as it should not be frequently replaced. Remodeling your roof will not only cost you the total amount of shingles you need but includes the cost of contractors and pest exterminators. You would also need to check for leak damage repairs. All that trouble is not worth it if you’re merely replacing your roof for aesthetic purposes. Stick to your basic roof maintenance such as keeping your gutter free from debris and installing proper flashing.

Building a Home Office

More and more people are telecommuting these days so a home office sounds like a good investment for your house. There are also more start-ups nowadays that came from working at home. But remodeling a specific room for a home office can create a big hole in your wallet. You will need to build custom cabinets, new wiring for all those electronic devices, and perhaps a new wallpaper to make you more productive. But consider that not everyone works at home or enjoys working at home. Some prefer their houses to be for relaxation and socializing. You can perhaps transform a corner into your own office space so it can still be used as something else, like a hobby corner for the next homeowner. Nobody wants to pay for an extra room he/she will not be using. A home theater sounds better to any buyer than a home office.

Adding an Extra Bathroom

You and your family might be battling to go to the bathroom first every weekday. It may sound like a smart investment to add a new bathroom to cater to your family’s needs, but the cost of an additional bathroom will only have a 50% return once you sell your house. Even converting an existing space into a bathroom can be more costly due to the required specific plumbing, wiring and flooring. It will also need additional monthly maintenance and cleaning. If you do have the budget for your existing bathroom – invest in a new paint, an updated toilet, a new rain shower head, and even on a new shower faucet. These little things can upgrade your bathroom without the need to spend a lot. Remember that the more upscale your bathroom is, the lower your return on investment gets.

Installing Carpets

A whole bedroom covered with a soft carpet floor may sound like a dream but can be a nightmare to home owners in the long run. Carpets are quite hard to maintain compared to hardwood floors. They also have a lower return on investment but can easily be more expensive during installation. Carpets can reduce the sound from second or third floor but you can address this problem with a less expensive floor rug. Carpets can easily look old and outdated in just a couple of years. Replacing them can again break your savings. So save yourself the trouble and go with hardwood flooring and some nice area rugs for that soft feel.

Maintaining a home can indeed be an expensive task. Remodeling every corner of your house once in a while can also be teasing, but always remember that not all investments, whether repairs or remodels, will give you a return. Watch out and try to skip those unnecessary costs as much as possible.