Home Improvement Projects to Avoid

There are numerous benefits to improving the home but the scope of many home improvement projects makes them inconvenient and less than cost-effective.  Of course, it is up to the homeowner as to which home-improvement project is going to be considered. They need to weigh the costs involved, as well as the benefits to the home and to those that live in it. If you are considering selling the home within a few years, here are some home improvement projects that may give you a low ROI.

Overbuilding the Kitchen – We tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and, if we are staying in the home, a kitchen remodel can be beneficial to us. If we are selling the home, however, it can be difficult to recoup the investment in a high end kitchen remodel. This is especially true with expensive accessories and appliances. Remodeling the kitchen can increase the value of the home, but there are less expensive options available for remodeling that should be considered.

Garage Additions – Adding a garage to the home can be convenient, but it tends to have a low return on investment compared to other household remodeling projects. It may be a good idea to add a garage addition to the home if you are staying for a few years to enjoy it but the ROI tends to be under 70% (Source: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/garages/garage-addition-return-investment/).

Landscaping – Making the backyard a paradise can be of benefit to the entire family but the return on investment for excessive landscaping is relatively low. If the sale date is approaching, adding some mulch and cleaning up the landscaping can make it sell quickly but as a rule, excessive landscaping is not going to pay off in the long run.

High-End Bathroom Additions – Redoing the bathroom is similar to redoing the kitchen. Making a few smaller changes to the bathroom, such as cleaning it up and the modernizing it may get you a decent ROI. 

If you are considering adding a whirlpool bath or moving walls, however, you may not get the return that you want if you are moving quickly.