- Joined
- Feb 6, 2006
- Messages
- 3,007
Hi all. Looking for some input on some projects that I want to get done around the house. None are cheap, but some are cheaper than others. The reason I'm asking here is that I like the variety of responses I get that help me put things in perspective. I can't do 'em all right now, but want to start somewhere. So the question is where do I start??
While money is not necessarily an object (line of credit
), I need to use it wisely and do not want to spend needlessly. All projects must either 1. Add value, or 2. Prevent deterioration.
I know all of the rules about what areas add the most value, i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, etc., don't 'outdo' the neighborhood, stay away from individual quirky preferences, etc. I'm looking more for just practical suggestions on what you would look for or choose to do. In case I market the house down the road I want it to appeal to the most amount of people.
The house is:
2100 sq ft
4 bedroom, and an office that could be used as a 5th small BR
Full bath down, but small
1 1/2 bath up, both average size. The washer/dryer are located in the full upstairs bath, and the dryer vent blows right onto the front steps :grumpy:
Here's what I have in mind:
1. The kitchen needs upating and I want to open it up. The dining room shares a common wall with an unused bedroom. I was thinking of opening that up by putting large french doors into the common wall, and leaving them open, tiling that room to match the kitchen and dining room. It could be used as a guest room just by closing the doors. I don't want to redo the kitchen and dining room in such a way that it "needs" the extra space because I want future buyers to be able to use the existing space in case they actually need that bedroom.
2. 1/3 of the windows have been replaced, from metal frame to vinyl. Do I replace the other windows now or wait??
3. The Master bedroom's bath is a shower/tub fiberlass insert that was put in in 1978. Nothing fancy. The master bedroom bath can access the main bath through a common door, though not the main door to either bath. Carpet in one bath, linoleum in the other. I was thinking update the master bath by replacing the shower with a nicer one, redoing the vanity/cabinets, and tiling both bathrooms to match.
4. The daylight basement has a bathroom, office, and a bedroom along the rear of the house, all in a row. They are all small in my opinion. I was thinking about busting through the rear walls of all three and extending them about 6 more feet out. It doesn't seem like much, but in doing so, it would allow me to move the washer/dryer downstairs and out of the main bath, and also eliminate that pesky exhaust onto the porch. It would create about 60 additional sq. ft., which doesn't seem like much really, so may not be worth the expense as it would require some excavation, concrete work, etc...at this time I would also completely redo the downstairs bath. I would have to move the main sprinkler controls, the fan unit for the HVAC, and the power meter outside also in order to expand out (I'm no expert in doing those things, maybe it's easier than I think).
5. The front steps are poured concrete. Looks like a 'home job' as they are visibly unlevel. Water pools in the corners and freezes in the wintertime.
6. The house is without gutters. Probably removed when it was re-roofed and never put back on. This contribues to the pooling of water on the steps.
Ok...what would you do first????? Opinions, comments welcome!!! And please don't say: 'whatever makes you happy'. Thanks!
By the way, I don't plan on selling soon, but you never know what curveballs may come up....oh, and I would require 'help' with the bigger jobs, so outside labor is likely.
While money is not necessarily an object (line of credit
), I need to use it wisely and do not want to spend needlessly. All projects must either 1. Add value, or 2. Prevent deterioration. I know all of the rules about what areas add the most value, i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, etc., don't 'outdo' the neighborhood, stay away from individual quirky preferences, etc. I'm looking more for just practical suggestions on what you would look for or choose to do. In case I market the house down the road I want it to appeal to the most amount of people.
The house is:
2100 sq ft
4 bedroom, and an office that could be used as a 5th small BR
Full bath down, but small
1 1/2 bath up, both average size. The washer/dryer are located in the full upstairs bath, and the dryer vent blows right onto the front steps :grumpy:
Here's what I have in mind:
1. The kitchen needs upating and I want to open it up. The dining room shares a common wall with an unused bedroom. I was thinking of opening that up by putting large french doors into the common wall, and leaving them open, tiling that room to match the kitchen and dining room. It could be used as a guest room just by closing the doors. I don't want to redo the kitchen and dining room in such a way that it "needs" the extra space because I want future buyers to be able to use the existing space in case they actually need that bedroom.
2. 1/3 of the windows have been replaced, from metal frame to vinyl. Do I replace the other windows now or wait??
3. The Master bedroom's bath is a shower/tub fiberlass insert that was put in in 1978. Nothing fancy. The master bedroom bath can access the main bath through a common door, though not the main door to either bath. Carpet in one bath, linoleum in the other. I was thinking update the master bath by replacing the shower with a nicer one, redoing the vanity/cabinets, and tiling both bathrooms to match.
4. The daylight basement has a bathroom, office, and a bedroom along the rear of the house, all in a row. They are all small in my opinion. I was thinking about busting through the rear walls of all three and extending them about 6 more feet out. It doesn't seem like much, but in doing so, it would allow me to move the washer/dryer downstairs and out of the main bath, and also eliminate that pesky exhaust onto the porch. It would create about 60 additional sq. ft., which doesn't seem like much really, so may not be worth the expense as it would require some excavation, concrete work, etc...at this time I would also completely redo the downstairs bath. I would have to move the main sprinkler controls, the fan unit for the HVAC, and the power meter outside also in order to expand out (I'm no expert in doing those things, maybe it's easier than I think).
5. The front steps are poured concrete. Looks like a 'home job' as they are visibly unlevel. Water pools in the corners and freezes in the wintertime.
6. The house is without gutters. Probably removed when it was re-roofed and never put back on. This contribues to the pooling of water on the steps.
Ok...what would you do first????? Opinions, comments welcome!!! And please don't say: 'whatever makes you happy'. Thanks!
By the way, I don't plan on selling soon, but you never know what curveballs may come up....oh, and I would require 'help' with the bigger jobs, so outside labor is likely.
