Three DIY Projects to Add Value That Any Homeowner Can Do
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Being a homeowner can be very rewarding, but sometimes it requires you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. If you want your home to retain or increase in value, you may want to consider doing some home renovations or improvements.
Hiring a contractor or handyman can cost thousands of dollars, even for the smallest project. Rather than dip into your savings, consider completing a modest project yourself.
No matter your skill set, there are several home projects that you can complete to add incremental value to your home to help keep it looking fresh and modern. Let’s look at three DIY home projects that any homeowner can do.
1. Paint the Front Door
You might not think it’s a big change, but something as simple as painting your front door could have a big impact on your home’s value.
A recent analysis by Zillow found that homeowners who painted their front doors black or charcoal gray could sell their home for nearly $6,000 more1.
Even if black or gray doesn’t work for you, painting your front door makes it look newer and adds curb appeal. Consider choosing a bright color that contrasts with a neutral exterior.
The best part about painting a front door is that it doesn’t cost much and takes little time to complete. Expect to spend about $75 on materials and an afternoon to complete.
Tools and Materials
-Sanding block
-Paint brush
-Painter’s tape
-Paint roller and tray
-Paint stir stick
-Combination paint and primer
-Rags, drop cloths, and spare towel
Tips and Suggestions
1. Remove hardware (knobs, locks, hinges, etc.) from the door before you start painting and cover any built-in hardware, such as the peephole, with painter’s tape.
2. Lay down drop cloth or other material to catch any dripping paint before you apply your first coat. Two coats may be necessary to get full coverage
3. Start in recessed areas with a brush and then follow up by using a roller on flat areas
2. Frame Bathroom Mirror and Paint a Vanity
If you don’t want to spend the money or the time renovating your home, focusing on minor improvements to your bathroom could help boost your property’s value.
A recent cross-Canadian survey found that bathroom renovations can increase the value of your home anywhere from 2.5-12.5%2.
Adding a frame to your mirror can give your bathroom a more finished look. Similarly, painting your vanity can make the space feel bigger than it is and provide a nice boost of eye-popping color.
Adding a fresh coat of paint and installing a new frame around the mirror doesn’t require much. Expect to spend around $200 and allocate the majority of a day to complete.
Tools and Materials
-1 x 4 x 8’ (x 2) for most mirrors
-Miter saw
-Paint primer
-Paint brush
-Paint roller and tray
-Semi-gloss paint
-Sanding block
-Clear coat polyurethane
-Construction adhesive
-Caulk and caulk gun
-Electric drill and screws
-Painter’s tape
-Rags, drop cloth, and spare towel
-Flat L brackets (x 4)
-Level
Tips and Suggestions
1. Go around the vanity with painter’s tape to protect the wall from paint and use a high-quality small-nap roller to avoid it from looking streaky when you apply your paint.
2. Cut the boards so they will have a ½” overhang on the mirror’s perimeter and make sure to add a clear coat of polyurethane to repel moisture.
3. Swapping Out Kitchen Hardware
Sometimes the simplest changes can add the most value. It should be no surprise that completing kitchen renovations is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home.
But a common misconception is that you must do extensive work to see a high return on your investment (ROI). In actuality, even a minor kitchen remodel can earn you around 78% return on your investment4.
A minor remodel may include replacing cabinets, installing new appliances, or swapping out counter tops. If you want a simple project to get you started that will give your kitchen a newer modern feel, consider swapping out your date kitchen hardware with high quality materials3.
Tools and Materials
-Kitchen hardware (including knobs, pulls, and back plates)
-Screwdriver or electric drill
-Pencil
Tips and Suggestions
1. Consider matte or satin black finishes, which have been found to be incredibly popular in 2020 and going into 2021, to give your home a sleeker, modern look5.
2. Invest in a plastic installation template to make sure your hardware is even and lined up correctly.
Sources
1 Zillow, Inc. (2018, July 20). Homes with Tuxedo Kitchen Cabinets and Black Front Doors Can Sell Up to $6,000 More than Expected [Press release]. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-06-20-Homes-with-Tuxedo-Kitchen-Cabinets-and-Black-Front-Doors-Can-Sell-Up-to-6-000-More-than-Expected
2 Remodeling. (2018, July 06). Canadian Survey Compares Added Value of Nine Renovation Projects. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.remodeling.hw.net/article/canadian-survey-compares-added-value-of-nine-renovation-projects_c
3 Sagan, A., & The Canadian Press. (2019, October 25). Renovation ideas that will increase the value of your home. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://globalnews.ca/news/6081302/home-renovations-with-the-most-value/
4 Little, D. (2021, April 08). Renovations That Add Value to Your Home. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://ama.ab.ca/articles/valuable-home-renovations
5 Shaughnessy, J. (2020, December 04). Kitchen Hardware Trends 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://jennakateathome.com/kitchen-hardware-trends/#Trends_For_Kitchen_Cabinet_Hardware