Spring is a great time to refresh your home and tackle a home improvement project. Whether you’re in search of some zen-inspired décor to add a more calming effect in your home or planning for a complete kitchen renovation, our helpful tips will get you started on the right track. Benchmark Federal Credit Union provides home equity loans and HELOCS (Home Equity Lines of Credit) for every spring home remodel project need.
Five spring home improvement tips
Plan now to get the contractor you want.
Once the warmer weather hits, every homeowner’s mind will turn to spring home improvement projects. Many of the best contractors and landscapers will book up quickly with roofing and other construction and landscaping projects. Plan now, so you have more flexibility in scheduling your projects on your ideal timeline. Make a wish list of your home improvement needs, determine a budget you can afford, and start contacting contractors for bids.
Think outdoor entertaining.
It’s time to embrace your outdoor space. Patios, decks and other outdoor areas are a great place to host mild-weather get-togethers. There’s so much you can with an outdoor space, from an easy and inexpensive improvement to creating a luxurious extension of your living space. Start by determining your budget and your goal and work from there. On a shoestring? You can easily transform your existing patio with vibrant colors, lovely flowers and greenery, Tiki lights and comfy outdoor furniture. Whether you’re creating a comfortable nook on your porch for friends to sit and visit or installing a complete outdoor kitchen and seating area for more in-depth entertaining, your outdoor space can give you months of warm-weather enjoyment without ever leaving your property! Need a little outdoor home improvement inspiration? HGTV offers many ideas for outdoor remodel projects on any budget. You’ll see ideas and videos on everything from creating your own outdoor oasis to building an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
Prepare your AC for those sweltering temperatures.
The cold weather of a Northeast winter lets us forget how hot and humid summers can become. Our air conditioning can quickly become our best friend. Was your AC out of commission or in need of repair at the end of last summer? If so, there’s no time like spring to repair or replace it. If your air conditioner is older, it may be more cost effective to replace it with a newer model that is more energy efficient. It can help save on cooling costs in the long run. As a general rule of thumb, if your AC is more than ten years old and it is in need of expensive repairs, it may make more sense to replace it. For more information and AC customer satisfaction results, see the Consumer Reports Central Air Buying Guide.
Does ROI matter to you?
Some of us remodel because we really want that dream kitchen or another home feature to enhance our quality of life. Others do so because an area of their home may be in desperate need of repair. For some, it’s about getting a good return on investment and increasing the value of a home. If ROI and increasing home equity are important to you when planning a home improvement, here are some interesting facts. According to realtor.com, these are the top 10 ROI home remodeling projects:
Garage door replacement 98.3%
Manufactured stone veneer 97.10%
Deck addition (wood) 82.80%
Minor kitchen remodel 81.10%
Siding replacement 76.7%
Window replacement (vinyl) 74.3%
Universal design bathroom 70.6%
Bathroom remodel 70.10%
Window replacement (wood) 69.5%
Roofing replacement 68.4%
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders.
When you’re working within a tight budget, but want a new look for your home this spring, painting can be a cost-effective option to meet that goal. Cleaning up old, worn looking areas with a fresh coat of paint, or adding a pop of color to individual rooms, can give your home interior a dramatic new look. Paint is inexpensive and can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. Rearrange your furniture and add a few new pillows and voilà, it’s like a whole new room. Spring is a perfect time for a home interior painting project, as you can open the windows and let the fresh air in while you work.
Home Equity Loans and HELOCs can help fund your projects
Benchmark Federal Credit Union is here for every spring home remodel borrowing need. Click here to learn more about our competitive home equity loan or HELOC rates and terms. At Benchmark our borrowers are more than just a credit score they are our financial partners.
Learn more in our blog “Top 7 Home Improvement Trends for 2022.”