According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2009 Cost vs. Value report, there are some home remodeling projects that continue to deliver a good return on investment without having to spend a lot of money. The top 10 low-cost remodeling projects are listed below.
- Tidy up kitchen cabinets. While installing brand new cabinets can be an expensive project, updating the interior of existing cabinets with organizing trays and cabinet liners can provide good return on investment.
- Add or replace Tile. There are many varieties of inexpensive tile that can add a dramatic change to your home. Considering adding a tile back splash in your kitchen, or changing the floor tile in your bathrooms. These small changes can make a big difference.
- Add a breakfast bar. If your kitchen opens to another room in your home, consider adding a short wall with seating to separate the rooms.
- Install granite tile instead of a slab. Most home buyers prefer granite slab countertops, but this material is expensive and installation can be costly. Consider using 12 x 12 granite tiles as your material, which is a lot less expensive and still provides a good effect.
- Freshen up a bathroom without re-tiling. While a full remodeling of a bathroom can be expensive, there are smaller projects that can make an older bathroom look at lot better. For example, consider changing the medicine cabinet, light fixtures, faucets, and if your budget allows, the vanity cabinet and shower door. Also, installing new grout in your floor tile can make the bathroom appear fresher.
- Freshen up the basement. If your basement has unfinished concrete block walls, consider adding some paint to the concrete walls and floors to make the room appear more complete. Walls and floors that are painted in an appropriate color can dramatically change the appearance of a room.
- Add a Room. If there are large spaces in your home, it may be wise to carve out a portion of this space to create another room. For example, with the addition of a wall or two and a door, it may be possible to create additional bedrooms in your home.
- Spruce up cabinet fronts. Instead of replacing the kitchen cabinets, consider changing the exterior appearance of the cabinet doors. You could hire a contractor to touch-up the cabinets by removing scratches, replacing the hardware, and reconditioning with oil. Another more costly procedure is to hire someone to reface the cabinet doors, which installs a new skin on the cabinets.
- Replace Light Fixtures. Look throughout your house and decide which lights appear outdated for the times. Consider hiring a electrician to install recess lighting in appropriate areas.
- Tech-up the garage. Small upgrades to a garage can provide a good return on investment. For example, consider replacing the garage door opener with a remote touch pad entry system.
Source: Remodeling Magazine
