Many people think that home improvement projects always increase a house’s value, but in reality, only certain changes do. For instance, repair work can boost your home’s worth when done by professionals like ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba.
But not every home upgrade pays off. Shows like “Fixer Upper” might inspire you to remodel your kitchen or add a backyard patio, but you need to be careful about which projects will benefit you in the long run. Here are eight home improvement projects you might want to think twice about:
1. **Home Office Upgrades**: Setting up a home office might seem great, but the return on investment (ROI) is usually low. Buyers may see it as a space they need to renovate for other uses.
2. **Installing a Swimming Pool**: A backyard pool can be enticing in the summer, but it might lower your home’s value due to high upkeep costs and safety issues.
3. **Master Bedroom Enhancements**: Upgrading your master bedroom can be expensive. Instead of a full remodel, try using creative ideas to make better use of the space you have or refresh the room without major construction.
4. **Adding a Sunroom**: Sunrooms are nice but can cost more than the value they add to your house. Potential buyers may not see them as functional spaces worth the extra money.
5. **Bathroom Additions**: Adding an extra bathroom might seem useful, but its value drops by half once done. Make sure it’s really worth the investment given the likely returns.
6. **Kitchen Upgrades**: A full kitchen remodel is tempting due to all the media attention on kitchen design, but the returns are generally only about two-thirds of what you spent. It’s better to update a few features rather than invest heavily in an overhaul.
7. **Adding Special-Purpose Rooms**: Unique rooms like a theater or game room might not appeal to everyone, and you could lose money when selling the house since not all buyers will be interested in these spaces.
8. **Installing a Backup Generator**: While having a backup generator sounds practical, its high cost and rare use mean it usually doesn’t provide a good ROI.
Not all home improvements are created equal when it comes to adding value to your property. Before you start a project, think about whether it will really enhance your home’s value. What home renovations have been worth the investment for you?