4.) Garage Addition: This is another project that should be tackled only under the awareness that the average regain will average just above 62%. The average cost of such a project will amount to more than $58,000. Garage additions are labor intensive – They involve slab work, roofing, new siding, paint, doors, etc. Erecting a garage addition only differs from new home building in that it does not require insulated walls for HVAC purposes. Essentially, the garage addition process is no different than the building process of assembling a miniature house.

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One of my all time favorite quotes: “Just because they make it in your size, doesn’t mean you should wear it.” I have to remind myself of this when I go shopping sometimes.

Similarly, just because a home remodeling project is available for completion, doesn’t mean you should invest in it.

Not all home remodeling projects are equal. The annual Cost vs. Value Report offers great insight to homeowners who are interested in increasing the value of their home through various projects and undertakings.

This 10-part mini-blog series will expose insider tips on a daily basis. These recommendations will help guide you down the project management path for your home.

1.) Bathroom addition: Surprised? Take note, there is a significant difference in a bathroom addition vs. a bathroom remodel. On average, bathroom additions only recoup about 60% of their invested cost. This number does not deviate according to square footage of the project. Reason being, no matter what the size of the new space, this remodel will require a number of necessary costs that will quickly drive the cost of the investment. Consider the various expenses that would be involved in such a project: plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fixtures, flooring, shower/tub, etc.

The only situation in which a homeowner would be advised to take on a bathroom addition, would be one that adds the bathroom in order to meet neighborhood standards. If your house was constructed with just one bathroom, but all other homes in the area were built with three, you may consider the addition in order to better serve the overall potential value of your home.

BATHROOM ADDITION: NO-GO

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I like coming to work for several reasons.  One of the great benefits of my job during the summertime is the air conditioned office.  You see, when I go home tonight, my thermostat will be set at 78 degrees and it will attempt to work its way down to a balmy 76.  We are blessed to live in much nicer conditions than many folks, but our HVAC system is definitely nothing to write home about.  And did I mention that it sometimes turns off unexpectedly – Just because it can?

July 3rd – August 15th is designated as Air Conditioning Appreciation Days (yes, it’s a real holiday).  Air conditioning is something that we definitely appreciate.  But what sort of background knowledge do you have in terms of AC?  Are you doing everything you can to allow your unit to run for as long as it possibly can?  Take a look at this information.  It will give you a little run-down of some of the important highlights that might be of most use to you and your home.

SIZE DOES MATTER: You can avoid chronic problems right from the gate.  Purchase a system that is of proper size to your home.  A unit too small will overwork itself in an attempt to keep up.  A unit too large will short-cycle (turn itself on and off constantly), and will not properly dehumidify the home.

THE MORE VENTS THE MERRIER: Without returning air, a blower motor will be suffocated and will have to work much harder.  This will force the unit to overheat – it will live a much shorter lifespan.  Lack of vents will also use far more energy than necessary.

GET A NICE, BIG SLAB: The unit must sit completely level.  If you do not install your unit on a cement slab base, your gravel base must be solid and level.  If not, you will force your compressor to work too hard and your unit’s lifespan will be much shorter than expected.

CHECK-UP, PLEASE!:  Dirty filter, frozen coils, blocked ductwork, low refrigerant – these are things that are involved in basic maintenance.  I recommend you have your system checked annually to semi-annually by a professional.

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