Every home remodeling you do gets expensive. The bigger the project, the more expensive it is. Fortunately, many homeowners never realize they don't always have to pay for everything out of pocket.
There are tons of government-sponsored home improvement loans and grant programs flying under the radar.
Use NRIA
The National Residential Improvement Association (NRIA) provides information about such programs. While it can be difficult to sort through all of the options to figure out what you are doing and what you don't qualify for, an NRIA authorized contractor can not only do the job you need, but also help you understand it all.
Don't settle
If you really want to get the best return on your investment, it is important to get the most out of it. Sometimes that means more, but the result is confidence that the job is being done correctly. Too often, when homeowners try to save money on remodeling projects, they make the mistake of compromising or being satisfied with “good enough”. The problem is that "good enough" is not the same as "good," let alone "great". And “good enough” seldom pays its own costs. In other words, if you settle down frequently, you actually pay more in the long run – and potentially lose money that you could make reselling it – by requiring expensive repairs.
Maximize value
Speaking of resale, if you haven't embraced the idea of living in the same house for the rest of your life, consider how certain remodeling projects can affect the market value of your property. Renovations should of course primarily improve your own sense of living and increase comfort, convenience and aesthetic pleasure. However, as a secondary concern, try to make changes and additions that could also serve to attract future buyers. Examples include upgrading the exterior cladding, replacing old bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and adding central air conditioning.
Prioritize maintenance
When many of us think about remodeling our homes, we immediately think of any new features and design elements that we'd like to add. However, the most important renovations often do not require adding or removing parts of our homes, but rather keeping what is already there. No matter how high quality an addition to your home is, nothing lasts forever. Buildings age. The properties suffer from wear and tear over time. The wires fray. Rusting pipes. Screws loosen. Termites attack wooden frames and cause dangerous structural damage, while moisture accumulated in ventilation ducts can lead to harmful fungal mold. For these and many other reasons, maintenance is an essential element of home improvement.
