Seven Good Reasons to Remodel Now
Josh Garske of the popular This Old House television show gives these 7 good reasons for remodeling now:
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- If you need the help of a professional, contractors are taking small jobs. A few years ago, contractors could afford to choose only big-budget projects, but now they need smaller jobs to stay in business.
- You can get the remodeling job done fast if you do hire a contractor. Long gone are the days when you'd call a contractor only to hear it would be 6 months before they could get around to your project. Now you can call two or three contractors for estimates and all will come out right away and begin the remodel when YOU want the help.
- Material prices have fallen. With the decline in demand, construction materials have markedly come down in price. An 8-foot 2x4 might cost you about $1.79 today, which is the same price it was in 1980!
- You can enjoy the results longer. Given the state of real estate, you're probably not going to be selling for a few years unless you absolutely have to. That means you can truly enjoy the improvements you make for a while before you sell.
- No tax hit. Just as minor home improvements will not drastically increase the sales price of your home, minor remodeling projects will not add to your property taxes either.
- Slash your energy bills. Since heating fuel and electricity costs have doubled over the past 3 years, the additional cost of choosing a high-efficiency furnace or solar panels can be recovered in about half the time. What might have taken 10 years to recoup the cost will now only take five.
- You'll be ready when real estate picks up. If you do want to sell your house when the market picks up, your remodeling will already be done and buyers will admire and appreciate the upgrades you've made. Your house will stand out from all the rest and can be on the market quicker—already in its remodeled state.
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