https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:35:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816813 Thu, 30 May 2013 06:14:43 +0000 Mrs D 816813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...the reason this was all so fresh in my mind was because yesterday our contractor wrapped up the first project (installing all new interior doors and casement) in our upstairs. Ladies...it made such a difference and I am so pleased with the out come. It makes me feel like we are 80% there with the whole upstairs of the house. I really feel like it would be HUGE to have a whole floor 100% done and remodeled.</p> <p>Today I am going to talk with DH (we were too tired and angry last night after watching a hockey game that ended poorly) about maybe focusing $5K on finishing the upstairs (budget re-do's on both baths, finishing swapping out the od casement on the windows and add crown to the 3 bedrooms). This would literally make anyone who walked up there go "wow - this whole floor is done we wouldn't have to do anything".</p> <p>This would leave us $1500 which would probably nicely update the front curb appeal.</p> <p>Next year we could completely (minus kitchen) finish the first floor and basement ($2250 facelift in the basement discussed above) plus about $1000 to do some smaller projects (add some crown molding, swap out some dated doors, generally make it look finished) and leave some money to finish the patio/back yard as well assuming we had a similar house budget next year.</p> <p>The kitchen is such a tough decision. On the one hand I would love it but on the other hand we may spend $2500 for someone to rip it out anyways. Plus with doing the above for $12K-ish we basically have given someone a perfectly re-done house minus the kitchen when we go to sell...and kicthens are usually something people want to have to their style since its such a focal point. I am really digging the idea of finishing entire "floors" of the house so a prospective buyer could go "I have nothing that NEEDS to be done on this floor"...I think that could be huge and have more of a positive impact that partially done floors... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816679 Wed, 29 May 2013 22:20:26 +0000 MusicaV 816679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the kitchen and the baths. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816675 Wed, 29 May 2013 22:11:12 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 816675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Resltors say kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, but an outdated, yet functional kitchen or bathroom may not be a deterrent for someone if the house is priced right. I would tackle all of the bathrooms first. Inconsistent bathrooms was a pet peeve during my home search. 1 &amp; 6 The kitchen change sounds lovely, but I don't know how much resale value that would add. 3 is probably the only thing I would skip on your list altogether. </p> <p>Then I would tackle the basement bec a use really sprucing that up will increase the usable, comfortable living space. 2</p> <p>Next Landscaping and paver repair. 4&amp;5</p> <p>When you get to 7 don't forget updating any outdated light fixtures. I was watching a HGTV or DIY show and the biggest tip for updating an older home were switching to contemporary light fixtures. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816597 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:52:12 +0000 yoursilverlining 816597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the kitchen and baths first. Ive never looked at a basement as make or break; then again I live in new England where 90% of basements are scary and not really update-able! I would wait on the yard until you can DIY; and then I would hire off craigslist or similar for yard help for cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816573 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:40:04 +0000 Mrs D 816573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: I agree about yards - I think people tend to overlook them as opposed to an issue in a bathroom or kitchen. We definitely dont plan to do anything fancy (yews and boxwood only really) which is why I think we could just gut the beds as a partial this year and then plant them next year! I do have some plants I could relocate to the front for the short term to make it look "prettier" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816555 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:32:40 +0000 Cole 816555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would do the kitchen and master bath with basement being a close third. Personally, I would get the most out of those updates and I think they will hold their value well. While I think landscaping helps when people look at houses I think a lot of people think it is a cheap thing to fix themselves and are more likely to over look it plus it means you will feel obligated to go out an maintain it. </p> <p>Despite our front yard being remarkably "low maintenance" it still needs to be watered if it doesn't rain every few days and we have to weed about 4-5 times a year (we are near you in GP so if you need ideas on plants let me know.) Also, I would go to Lowe's and buy a big thing of long acting Round Up (and I think Monsanto is the devil) and spray your patio down, maybe that would make it easier to live with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816546 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:30:04 +0000 regberadaisy 816546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: eek just saw that you're preggo. Def get more quotes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816541 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:28:47 +0000 Mrs D 816541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I could definitely do some of the yardwork myself if I wasn't so darn preggo! I did a lot last year but just ran out of time this year. Some of it we need professionals for (root/stump removal). The bathrooms we can do some of, but I'd like a professional to do the tiling for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816489 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:05:43 +0000 regberadaisy 816489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do 1, 2 and 4 for pure resale value. People love a nice master bath, finished basement and curb appeal! A lot of people make up their mind by first impression which is your front yard!</p> <p>However, can you guys do any of this yourself? I feel the front can be DIY by even a novice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816483 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:04:49 +0000 Mrs D 816483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: You're definitely right with regard kitchens and master baths. Sometimes I wonder about landscaping bc DH and I as first time homebuyers didn't even notice landscaping. </p> <p>We have DIY'd a lot since moving in. Unfortunately I am the more handy one in the relationship and I am now going on 7 mos preggo so I dont know how much more big DIY projects I have in me! We are doing everything very cost consciously (i.e. being very aware not to over-do anything such that we cant recover the majority of the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816479 Wed, 29 May 2013 20:02:17 +0000 chopsuey 816479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1, 2, 4 or 1, 3, 4! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816468 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:59:01 +0000 loveisstrange 816468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the master bath, kitchen and front yard. Thats generally 3 main areas where you get bang for your buck in terms of adding value and marketability.</p> <p>Honestly? The only thing that has ever mattered to me in a basement is that it is dry and doesnt smell like mold. Everything beyond that is a plus.</p> <p>I do think the are a lot of things on your list that you could DIY and save alot though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816442 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:49:29 +0000 Mrs D 816442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: Our house (and its condition) is a dime a dozen in the part of metro Detroit we live in. So some of these upgrades can really make you stand out come re-sale time! My mom has mentioned she has a tile guy (the estimates I have are from a kitchen and bathroom place) which I suspect is a bit of a rip off since they are a one stop shop!</p> <p>@Navy_Mommy: I have told DH that if the oven is not sorted out this go around it is top priority when we get bonuses in Jan/Feb because our current oven sucks and is breaking. Not to mention I truly think it is a potential red flag to any women coming in here.</p> <p>The more I read you guys's comments the more I realize the basement and bathrooms are likely the wisest investment of money as they will likely pay back best come re-sale time. Not to mention - it would allow us flexibility in case we decided to sell sooner since they are more safe investments than some of the others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816423 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:41:35 +0000 Navy_Mommy 816423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My personal top priority would be the kitchen and master bath, but those are for selfish reasons, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816414 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:38:21 +0000 Navy_Mommy 816414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're only reason to do the patio is for resale I would wait until just before you sell so it still looks brand new, know what I mean? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816397 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:27:57 +0000 MrsStormy 816397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: We have this same kind of master bath (interestingly it sounds like your home is actually probably very similar to mine, needed a lot of the same upgrades, and we paid about the same), and we redid everything but the shower and we got it done for under $1000 so I would be inclined to think that you could get it done for a bit less than $2500. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816384 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:20:47 +0000 Mrs D 816384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: I have thought we could always do the yard in stages too - like gut the beds this year (cheaper piece) and not install new plants until next year.</p> <p>DH really really hates the patio because of the weeds but it truthfully does not affect our ability to enjoy the back yard at this point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816377 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:17:26 +0000 Mrs D 816377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: @aprk: the basement is definitely the most "no brainer" decision because it adds a whole new comfortable living space which is right now a little dank and dark!</p> <p>@yellowbird: I agree with you too about the masterbath - that is something we would enjoy a ton right now.</p> <p>We haven't gotten a quote on the masterbath but I think we could even do it for cheaper. Its a small 3/4 bath (like 6'x4' and a small stall shower) so I think if we hired out the tile work only (and demo'd ourselves) we could install a budget vanity set and new toilet and come in under $2500 perhaps making it possible to do something else as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816375 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:16:21 +0000 MrsStormy 816375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the bathrooms and basement, I think those will be things you can really enjoy and appreciate, but will help with resale. I would do the yards before you move though... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816365 Wed, 29 May 2013 19:12:12 +0000 aprk 816365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do basement and patio with resale in mind, but still things you can use and enjoy now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816337 Wed, 29 May 2013 18:53:56 +0000 yellowbird 816337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do the master bath and basement and the indoor finishes. I'd do the patio before you sell but since you already have a deck I think you'll get to enjoy the other things more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/house-renovations-what-would-you-do#post-816327 Wed, 29 May 2013 18:44:14 +0000 Mrs D 816327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I bought our house in 2010 - we feel at the bottom of the market. We paid just about $100/sq foot. We have seen many houses in our sub selling in the last 2-3 months for $125-130/sq foot. Recently we had a nice long chat and decided we are going to stay in our house for at least another 3 years and as such we want to spend a little money now upgrading some issues so we can enjoy the house (rather than waiting until just before selling to fix the problems). We have $6500 to spend...below are our options for upgrades. The problems we have in our house are 1) outdated baths (2.5 of them) 2) a dysfunctional oven size in the kitchen 3) a dark and poorly finished basement 4) terrible landscaping and 5) some dated finishings (trim work/etc). Here are the options and the prices we have gotten/estimated:</p> <p>1) Reno the master bath $2500 - no moving of plumbing, cosmetic upgrading only<br /> 2) Basement facelift $2250 - drywall, base moulding, new upgraded interior doors, repaired and spruced up ceiling, additional lighting to improve the "feel" of the place<br /> 3) Double oven install/cabinet re-work $2500 (carpenter to customize our cabinets to go from a single 24" oven to a double 27" oven)<br /> 4) Install new landscaping in front yard $1500 - gut the current flower beds in the front which have never been maintained and are filled with crap and weeds. Install simple low maintenance shrubs/mulch.<br /> 5) Repair/Re-install backyard paver patio $2200 (Our current paver patio was not properly installed and as such is now not level and has villages of weeds peeking through everywhere.<br /> 6) Mini Facelift on Guest Bath $750 - work with the existing "okay" tile work and swap out the vanity, counter and fixtures to re-fresh the space<br /> 7) Facelift some of the interior finishes $1200 - add wainscoting (sp?) to dining room, replace all the window casement to a style from the 2000's not 1960's.</p> <p>I'm wonder what you Bee's think the best use of the money is and where you would spend it. DH and I are leaning towards the Basement and the two landscaping projects. Pushing off the Masterbath and the Kitchen fix until 2014. We are a little torn though - sometimes we think we could skip the patio for now (we do have a deck to enjoy - we just know the patio is such an eye sore that it will be a deterrent when it comes selling time so maybe we should just do it now?)</p> <p>Would love to hear any and all opinions! </p>