 | 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
2008-06-01 13:45:00
Investments in homes
Question: Which home improvements give you the best/worst return on investment? I was told that the bathroom and kitchen are the most valuable when it comes to improvements, is this true?
Answer: You may be surprised to learn which home improvement projects may make your home more difficult to sell, like adding a pool. Find out if your custom look will hurt your home value.
In today’s housing market, some home improvements pay off more by increasing your home’s value, while others will do very little to improve it. For the most part updating your kitchen and bathrooms are always a good solid investment that can offer the best home improvement value.
Remodeling Your Kitchen
The average return-on-investment for improvements to the kitchen ranges from about 80 percent to 93 percent with average costs at $15,000 and up. Therefore the kitchen is the most important room in the house since it’s where much of the family interaction occurs. If you don’t know where to start, try adding new tile flooring, re-facing old cabinets, and/or updating appliances to new energy efficient models.
Remodeling Your Bathroom
Like the kitchen, bathroom renovations can yield a very high return, that can net somewhere between 85 to 90 percent, with costs starting around $10,000. Adding a complete new bathroom can return as much as 85 percent, especially if you only have one bathroom to start with. It’s much more difficult to sell a home with only one bathroom, so adding a second bath can make your home significantly easier to sell. Some other good improvements could include installing double sinks, tile floors and new bath fixtures and faucets.
Other Good Home Improvements
Making home improvements can be a big undertaking. Larger improvements could include adding a fireplace, building a deck or patio, or adding a new heating or cooling system. However, you don’t have to spend huge bucks to upgrade the look of your home. Smaller, less expensive improvements could include replacing old doors or installing a ceiling fan. Cosmetic improvements such as landscaping can also go a long way in the minds of prospective buyers.
Home Improvements to Avoid
There are some improvements that rarely pay off, such as adding a swimming pool. These improvements are fine if you and your family will enjoy them, but keep in mind that they rarely increase the value of your home. They may even make your home more difficult to sell. Also remember you should never over build, meaning you should avoid expensive improvements that go beyond what is typically found in your neighborhood. You don’t have to cut corners, but owning the most expensive home on your block can make it more difficult when it comes time to sell your home.
One last thing to remember, avoid getting too fancy. Everyone’s tastes are different, so choosing colors and materials that appeal to a broader range of people will make it easier when you need to sell.
