 | Howard McDaniel is president and owner of Even-Temp of Wichita, Inc... Howard started Even-Temp of Wichita, Inc. in 1991. Even-Temp is a fully-licensed and bonded residential and commercial mechanical contractor in Wichita and the surrounding areas. Howard has been a member of the Kansas Cooling Contractors Association (aka K.C.C.A.) since 2001. He is also a member of the B.B.B. and Chamber of Commerce. Howard’s education includes graduate of Pittsburg vocational technical college and 5 years of schooling through the Local 171 Plumbing apprenticeship school. Howard built Even-Temp to what it is today. He started his business working many hours, night and day, by himself to a successful business with over 20 employees. Howard is an honest, fair and considerate business man, which is proven by the number of customers he has and by the number of them that have been with him for over 10 years. Howard can be contacted at his office at (316) 262-2277, fax at (316) 262-5366, or you can e-mail him at Howard@eventemp.com. |
Home Improvement
2008-04-01 12:10:00
More tips for improving home value
Question: Outdoor projects, do they help with increasing the value of your home?
Answer: Only you can decide whether the project you undertake is worth the time, effort and expense. After all, it’s your home; you know best. You should be comfortable in it. It should offer a welcome respite from the everyday pressures of modern living. So, if you have the time, the cash and the desire to turn your vision of the ideal home into reality, go for it! But, as you might imagine, not all home-improvement projects will translate into added value for your home. It’s an important factor to keep in mind, especially if you know your family will outgrow the home or you know you won’t spend a great deal of time there.
Considering an in-ground pool or spa? Great, they’re a lot of fun! Just don’t expect an equal return on your investment. Also on the upper end of home improvement are projects such as room additions and remodels, new roofs and windows. Measured by the standards of most home-improvement projects, these are major endeavors that require a significant investment of money, time and patience. If you want to protect the investment you’ve made in your home, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of major upgrades relative to your neighborhood and community. Another consideration is the condition of the local real estate market. If it’s on the way up, as it has been chances increase that you’ll recoup most or all of your investment. Of course, in a declining real estate market, the opposite would likely be the case
Outdoor Projects
So, if you’re feeling a little ambitious, maybe you’d like to shield that wide-open patio from the sun and the elements. Maybe you would like a deck, Gazebo or both. Maybe you need a block wall, or a retaining wall for that out-of-control backyard slope. Whatever it is you need, if you’re attaching something to the house, getting too cozy with the neighbor’s lot line or seriously altering the contours of your property, it would be a smart move to go over your improvement desires with the appropriate government agency.
Decks -
Nothing expands outdoor space like a deck, but building one yourself can be expensive, time-consuming and a real pain, right? Not necessarily, as long as you have home-improvement skills that are just slightly above average. And you can save as much as half the cost by building your own deck. Most home centers and lumber yards offer free design services that will help you figure out the structural issues. They’ll also help you determine how much lumber and what kind and sizes you’ll need.
Patio covers – both shaded and covered –
are a familiar back-yard sight throughout the country. If you’re handy and know the difference between a hammer and Hummer, you could theoretically tackle a project like this yourself. But if you’re allergic to splinters and frustration, your best bet would be to hire a professional contractor for both of these projects. Plus, it will look so much better.
Only you can make the final decision for the home improvement that best fits you, and it probably won’t be based purely on financial return – nor should it be. Modifying your home to suit you can be an emotional experience. But you should factor the potential return into your ultimate decision. If return on investment is important to you, ask a real estate professional for the selling prices of homes comparable to yours and with the upgrades you are considering adding.
