Remodeling areas of a house and making necessary upgrades are essentials ways a homeowner can maintain and improve the functionality and beauty of their property.
When homeowners fail to make the necessary Richardson home improvements, such as updating the roof, heating and cooling systems, and plumbing, this can lead to major issues down the road and loss of property value.
On the other hand, renovations like remodeling the bathroom or overhauling the kitchen can make your home more functional and appealing to future buyers.
This article provides practical home improvement tips for Richardson, TX, homeowners which you can do yourself.
Tip #1: Boost Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the way your Richardson home looks from the outside, and how attractive it is to anyone who passes by your property. The color and condition of the exterior, the landscaping, and the overall maintenance of the house all contribute to its curb appeal.
- Sprucing up your house with a new coat of paint is one of the best ways to give it a fresh look.
- Paint your front door with a bold color to make it the focal point of your home’s exterior.
- If you have steps leading to the front door, consider planters’ accessories that change with the seasons.
Tip #2: Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Prioritizing energy efficiency in your home improvement project not only helps to lower your energy bills, but it also increases the resale value of your property.
- Air sealing and insulation can enhance indoor comfort and deliver energy savings.
- Upgrading to new, energy-efficient doors with adjustable thresholds and sealing systems can help minimize air leakage.
- Replace windows with two or more panes of glass for superior insulation.
- Installing a skylight can brighten up the interior of your home with natural light and help save on energy used for indoor lighting.
- Replace an inefficient water heater with a heat pump water heater to cut home energy costs.
Tip #3: HVAC Maintenance
Over time, HVAC components wear down and will need to be replaced or repaired. But you can extend the life of your HVAC units by following these basic preventative maintenance tips:
- Change or clean your air filters regularly.
- Keep your vents and registers clean.
- Clean debris and dust from your outdoor units.
- Remove blockage from ducts.
- Check your heating system for leaks.
- Clean the evaporator coil and drain regularly.
- Use a programmable thermostat to keep things running smoothly.
- Keep your outdoor compressor in the shade during the summer months.
- Occasionally, use fans to give your HVAC system a break.
- Have your HVAC system serviced by a professional at least once a year to ensure that it’s in good condition and that any problems can be fixed quickly.
Tip #4: Kitchen Renovations
The kitchen is a space where family and friends gather and enjoy meals over wonderful conversations. It is also a place where work, school projects, and crafts are made.
Here are practical kitchen remodeling tips to ensure that this part of your home is conducive for both enjoying time with your loved ones and performing tasks.
- Incorporate kitchen technology, such as Alexa or other smart home consoles and smart lighting.
- Create a sustainable space and invest in long-lasting cookware, energy-efficient appliances, and recycling and compost bins that can be stored out of sight.
- Update your kitchen lighting to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
Tip #5: Flooring Upgrades
A significant way to breathe new life into your home is by updating your current flooring. This home improvement project can elevate your home’s design and allow your distinct style to shine through.
Here are some inexpensive, attractive flooring ideas:
- Luxury vinyl plank flooring replicates the look of natural wood and can be installed directly over your existing floor. It is waterproof, making it ideal for basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
- Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are one of the easiest and most budget-friendly flooring options. These are self-adhesive so that you can install them directly over existing flooring like vinyl, concrete, or plywood.
- Carpet tiles provide comfort and sound absorption of wall-to-wall carpeting. These are easy to install, replace, and clean.
- Painting worn vinyl flooring is a budget-friendly weekend project to give old floors a makeover.
- You can upcycle leftover wood scraps into new plank flooring. This not only saves you money but also reduces waste.
Tip #6: Outdoor Living Spaces
Enhancing your outdoor living space makes it more enjoyable for entertaining and hanging out with the family.
- Build a custom banquette to provide plenty of seating in your outdoor living room.
- Include a variety of seating options like benches, chairs, or stools.
- Decorate a covered patio with art to create a focal point.
- Hang curtains around a covered porch to create a relaxing atmosphere and diffuse direct sunlight.
- Lay graphic floor tiling to add pattern and interest to your outdoor living space.
Tip #7: Smart Home Integration
Upgrading to a smart home requires good planning and solid foundations. Here are helpful tips to help you get started with your new smart home build.
- Choose the system you are going to build your smart home on. The main options are Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home.
- Make sure that your router can provide good signal strength to every room since most smart home devices are controlled via a connection to your Wi-Fi network.
- Purchase a smart speaker or display. These function to take your voice commands and use them to control devices like smart lights, plugs, fans, speakers, and thermostats.
Tip #8: Bathroom Improvements
Your bathroom plays a big role in your family’s daily routine, health, and overall hygiene and comfort. And just like any other room in your home, it deserves some love and attention.
Here are a few practical ways you can update your bathroom to improve its functionality and aesthetic appeal:
- Retile your bathroom.
- Change the cabinet hardware.
- Replace your sink faucet.
- Give your bathroom a fresh coat of paint.
Tip #9: Insulation and Roofing
Proper maintenance and long-term care are crucial to ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your roof insulation.
While it’s advisable to hire a professional to perform the maintenance of your roof insulation, here are steps homeowners can take if you prefer to do it on your own:
- Evaluate your existing insulation and check for gaps, cracks, and thin or damaged areas.
- Choose the right insulation material based on your climate, the structure of your roof, your budget, and your desired r-value.
- Gather the necessary tools and materials, including insulation rolls or boards, a utility knife, caulk and caulking gun, weatherstripping, protective gear (gloves, mask, goggles), measuring tape, and a staple gun.
- Identify and seal gaps and cracks using caulk or weatherstripping.
- Install the new insulation.
- Consider installing a radiant barrier in the attic to further reduce heat gain.
- Perform a final inspection, checking for even coverage and proper depth.
Tip #10: Home Office Improvements
A home office can be a designated space for running a business, doing remote work, or simply organizing your schedule and paying bills. As such, this space should allow you to become productive while providing comfort.
- Paint the walls a color that will get you motivated to work.
- Add accessories that add warmth and comfort, like a cute mug for a pencil holder, printed notepads and sticky notes, or a decorative waste basket.
- Make sure your home office has plenty of light to avoid eye strain and headaches.
- Place a small lamp on your desk for task lighting.
- Add office-friendly plants to give new life and greenery to your workspace.
Home Renovation Costs in Richardson
When it comes to updating your Richardson, TX, property, the cost of transforming your space can vary widely depending on your goals, the size of your house, and the specific home improvements you have in mind.
Below is a table showing the average cost of home remodels in Richardson.
| Home Area | Mid-Range Remodel | High-End Remodel |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | $50,000 to $100,000 | $100,000 to $250,000+ |
| Bathroom | $25,000 to $60,000 | $60,000 to $100,000+ |
| Living Room | $15,000 to $40,000 | $40,000 to $100,000+ |
| Bedroom | $15,000 to $30,000 | $30,000 to $60,000+ |
For updating the exterior of your home, here are the average costs:
- Window and door replacement: $10,000 to $40,000
- Siding replacement: $15,000 to $40,000
- Roof replacement: $20,000 to $60,000
Local Regulations
Eligible Richardson homeowners can benefit from the Home Improvement Incentive Program which provides an economic incentive to homeowners who substantially reinvest in their home.
To qualify, the home improvement project should involve the reconstruction or remodeling of a single-family home for at least $20,000 and must be completed within 24 months from the approval of the project.
Homeowners will need to submit their application to Community Services before starting with construction, provide a cost estimate for the improvement project, consent to periodic Richardson home inspections during construction, and confirm the final construction costs.
Once the application is approved, the homeowner will be required to execute an economic development agreement with the city which is prepared and approved by the city attorney.
Conclusion
Making improvements on your Richardson, TX, property can improve the comfort, functionality, aesthetic appeal, and value of your home.
If you have questions about this article, or if you’re interested in the real estate offerings in Richardson, TX, please contact me today at 214-708-3241 or Bill@BillClarksonRealEstate.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some affordable home improvement ideas in Richardson?
Enhancing curb appeal by painting the front door and adding seating to the outdoor living space are some of the more affordable home improvement projects for homeowners.
How do I increase home value in Texas?
Making home improvements can help increase one’s home value.
How do I choose the right contractor for my home improvement project?
Choose a contractor with a proven track record for excellent work. You can verify this through online reviews from past clients.
