Home renovations in Calgary are undoubtedly an exciting time in any homeowner’s life. You have the opportunity to see your home transform before your very eyes, becoming a space that is both more functional and beautiful.

However, it’s difficult to hide the fact that home renovation projects can cost a fair bit of money. So is there a way to make some money back in the process?

Let’s explore some of the best upgrades you can make to your home that will increase its value, both for you and for prospective buyers.

3 Upgrades That Increase Home Value

Bathroom Remodel

Bathrooms are one of the most utilized rooms in the home, but are often one of the last to be touched when it comes to home renovations– and it shows! Outdated bathrooms can add a dingy, out-of-style feel and often show the true age of the home. Both homeowners and buyers alike are less than inspired by such a room.

Fortunately, according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, you can see a return on investment of up to 75% when you remodel your bathroom. By simply replacing your vanity and modernizing the fixtures, features, and colours, you can completely transform the space and your home’s value.

Additionally, consider adding a second bathroom to your home if you currently only have the one. Prospective buyers will find great value in this second bathroom, even if it’s simply a powder room, as it eliminates logistical issues when it comes to family living.

Basement Development

While basement developments aren’t an easy project to take on, they’re more than worth it. From a convenience perspective, you are adding liveable space to your home and utilizing an area that was likely just used for storage. From a financial standpoint, meanwhile, you can see a return on investment of roughly 50%.

As a note, the square footage of a basement is generally valued at half of what the main floor’s square footage is. Therefore, unless you intend to live in your home for a while, it’s recommended you don’t invest more than 10% of your home’s value into a basement development.

Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and also one of the focus pieces when it comes to home buying. Therefore, having a modern and up-to-date kitchen can go a long way in catching the eye of potential buyers and increasing the value of your home.

The size and scale of your kitchen renovation will influence the return on your investment. It may surprise you, but more simple renovations, such as updating features, fixtures, and appliances, can actually offer a higher return on investment of up to 80%. More complex renovations that involve changing the floor plan and moving electrical and plumbing will naturally cost more but don’t tend to offer the same rate of return, falling closer to 50-60%.

That said, your kitchen is one of the defining spaces in your home, so whether you intend to renovate for yourself or others, the investment is more than worth it.

At Mastered Home Renovations, attention to detail is our specialty. Your home renovation is sure to meet all of your functional and stylistic needs. It is our mission to turn your dream home into a reality. Contact us for a quote to get started.

When it comes to home improvement, some homeowners prefer to look to the future, hoping to get the most out of their renovations.

Those who take the time to consider how their improvements will impact the value of their home may just find themselves saving money in the long run.

Let’s look at a few examples of projects that will benefit you down the road.

Home Improvements That Will Add Value To Your Home

Landscaping

Naturally, the first impression you have of any house is from the outside. Adding to your curb appeal will make neighbours and future buyers do a double-take.

Elements like new turf or trees can create a more lush and green space, which can be an especially attractive feature in a city.

Outdoor structures can also add to the value of your home. Fences add a significant amount of privacy to your home while also allowing young kids and dogs to run around unsupervised. Decks, as well, are a solid investment. These can be a pricer build, but it creates a more livable space outside.

Basement

This renovation is not a small or inexpensive undertaking, but it adds incredible value to your home. Turning your unfinished basement into a fully-functional space allows future buyers to appreciate the extra square footage.

Windows

Replacing your windows may not be the most exciting home improvement project visually, but you will reap the benefits of it immediately.

Older windows may no longer be properly insulated, resulting in drafts blowing through your home. By putting in new windows, you’ll instantly notice a change in your heating and cooling bills. Additionally, when it comes time to sell, buyers won’t bargain for money off the asking price with the intent of buying new windows.

Kitchen

Kitchen renovations are another big undertaking, but to many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Homebuyers will often look at the quality and condition of the kitchen when setting their expectations for the rest of the house.

That said, you also want to consider your own needs and wants when renovating your kitchen. If you’re going to put the time and money in, why not make it work better for you? If you find you’re too short on counter space or there’s not enough room for storage, then change it! Finding value in how you interact with your home is important too.

There are several ways that home improvement can add value to your home. However, take the time to consider your finances and what would serve you best. Unless you’re moving in the near future, these improvements should bring value to your lives first.

Summer in Canada is often affectionately referred to as construction season. With only a few short months of nice weather, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to want to tackle home improvement projects during this time.

However, is there a better time of the year to take on these tasks?

Let’s take a look at which seasons best suit the various home improvement projects.

Home improvements Throughout the Year

Winter

Winter isn’t known for being a bustling time for home improvement. However, homeowners may want to use this to their advantage.

Contractors still need to work during the winter months, so they may be more willing to give you a deal in order to lock down your business. Naturally, you’d be sticking to indoor projects during this time, but you could always reach out and start drawing up plans for future construction as well.

Additionally, if you’re looking to renovate your kitchen or laundry room, this may be the perfect time to begin your appliance shopping. Stores will often give discounts on last-season models as they try to make room for next year’s products.

Spring

Provided Canadian springs cooperate, this is a great time to start on outdoor improvements. Deckbuilding is especially popular during this time, as it will be finished when summer rolls around, and you’ll actually get the chance to enjoy your new build.

Summer

Home renovations during the summer are typically in preparation for future months. Projects like reshingling, installing new windows, and redoing attic insulation are perfect for this time, as they prepare your home for colder months.

Starting in the summer, as opposed to the fall, can be important for these types of projects as well, as it allows for buffer room. Construction projects can run late, and no one wants boarded-up windows when cold weather rolls around.

Fall

It’s time to return to indoor projects. As mentioned above, timelines can run long, and you don’t want to leave an outdoor task unfinished if the snow comes earlier than you’d like (and let’s face it, it’s Canada, so it could).

That said, September and October aren’t complete write-offs. If you’re doing a larger demo, it’ll still be easy enough to take old structures out of the home and bring new materials inside. Meanwhile, everything will still be protected during the chillier nights.

Ultimately, there isn’t a right or wrong time of the year for home improvement. Rather, determine your timeline and what projects you hope to accomplish, and see how the time of year can improve your experience.

So you’ve decided to renovate your Calgary home. There are many things you have to figure out for your upcoming renovation project. One thing you may be concerned about is the total cost of home renovations. Here is an outline of estimated costs for various projects.

Breaking Down the Cost of Each Home Renovation in Calgary

Kitchen Renovations in Calgary

First, let’s start with the kitchen. The kitchen is a common area that homeowners often look to renovate. You can expect to spend anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 for an involved kitchen renovation project.

This is because things like the countertop, flooring, and cabinetry tend to be quite costly. You will also have to spend money on labor costs. You can, however, save money on kitchen renovations if you opt for complete home renovations in Calgary with a contractor.

Basement Development in Calgary

Next is the basement. Renovation costs for basements cost anywhere from $45 to $75 per square foot. There is a large range in pricing due to the material you’re going to use for flooring, the need to set up new walls, and the installation of new furniture/areas such as bathrooms and storage spaces. You can look at an estimate of $10,000 for your basement.

Bathroom Renovations in Calgary

Another common area to renovate is the bathroom. Due to fixtures, tiles, flooring, and plumbing, bathrooms can end up costing you more than you think. But you can expect to spend around $15,000 on average for a hefty renovation project.

Other Home Renovations

Other areas such as bedrooms, living rooms, and spare rooms are more flexible. They can end up costing a few thousand dollars to a few hundred dollars depending on how much you want to change. These areas are more DIY friendly, so you can save a lot of money on the renovation costs.

If you tally everything up, you can expect to spend around $50,000 for complete home renovations in Calgary. This includes the cost of one master bathroom, a full kitchen, and a medium to large basement.

The best way to save money on your renovations is to build a list of everything you want to do and calculate the costs. From there, you want to define your budget and focus on renovating the absolute essentials. This will help you eliminate renovations that are unnecessary and help you see the change in your home that’s going to have the most impact.