Making the decision to remodel your home is only the first step! After you’ve decided to take the plunge, and have set aside a budget, what might be the hardest stage begins: prioritizing how you’ll spend that budget. Sites full of NJ home remodeling tips are great at talking about ideas, but eventually, you’re going to have to sit down and genuinely commit to upgrading some things, but not others.
Of course, there’s no single right answer here – but we can give you some ideas on how to prioritize your list of potential remodeling choices.
NJ Home Remodeling Tips: Four Ways to Prioritize Your Upgrades
1- The traditional “bucket” method
It’s tried and true and works for just about any situation where you’re having to choose from a list where you can have some, but not all, of what’s there. Make three categories (buckets) called “Must have,” “Like to have,” and “Can live without” and start sorting your potential upgrades accordingly. Ideally, you would have enough budget for all of your “musts” and at least most of your “likes”.
2- Based on future value.
Do you foresee selling your home in the next few years? In that case, prioritizing becomes considerably easier – put the money where it’s going to pay off or, at least, depreciate the least. The best choices in upgrades here generally include:
- The kitchen, both looks, and appliances
- The master bathroom
- The roof
- Siding
- Home automation / “smart” technologies
3- By pain points.
What are the most irritating, hard-to-use, or even potentially dangerous areas of your house? Put those on the list, then order according to severity. This list focuses on making your house more livable, rather than being concerned with looks or money. It’s also a good option for those who are planning for a family or already have small children.
4- By room usage.
Which rooms in the house do you spend the most time in? Or, which ones would you like to spend the most time in? Use that to guide your decision-making. This is another ranking system that focuses on usability and liveability.
Choose the Right Contractors For Your NJ Home Remodeling!
Magnolia Home Remodeling has over 25 years’ experience working on NJ remodeling projects both large and small. For help and advice on making the most of your upgrade budget, contact us today for an estimate!
