Are you contemplating house remodeling because you want to fix up your house before you put it up on the market for sale? On the other hand, are you considering home remodeling because you plan to stay in your house for a while longer?

If your goal of house remodeling is fixing up your home to sell it, you may want to contact a local real estate agent. A walk through your house may allow an agent to suggest areas for home improvement that will help you sell a house in today’s overstocked housing market.

However, if you’re contemplating home improvement in order to stay where you are, you need to figure out which areas are most in need of improvement. Then, assign a number to each area (kitchen, bathroom, etc.), with “5” being the most important and “1” being the least.

That done, it’s time to determine how much money you can afford to spend on house remodeling. In today’s economy, it’s vital to have at least a full year’s living expenses put away for a rainy day. Since few jobs are lifetime positions, beside Supreme Court Justice, try not to touch your nest egg to pay for house remodeling.

When you’ve decided what you need done, and how much you can afford to spend on home remodeling, you now need to seek out a licensed contractor. Some homeowners think they can save money by having their third cousin on their mother’s side do the work on the cheap. They couldn’t be more wrong!

A licensed contractor is needed for any work that requires a building permit and for any home remodeling where the material and labor costs exceed $1,000. There are three kinds of licensed contractors: General Engineering Contractor, General Building Contractor and Specialty Contractor.

A General Engineering Contractor has skill and knowledge of specialized engineering. You’ll need this kind of licensed contractor for sewers, paving, land-leveling, ranching and excavating.

A General Building Contractor is primarily involved with building structures. This is your contractor for room additions and houses.

A Specialty Contractor does building work that involves special skills like roofing, drywall, electrical work, flooring and landscaping.

If you’re simply not sure which type of licensed contractor to seek out for your home remodeling, the Contractor’s License Board will be able to help you make your choice.

Home improvement will involve both spending money and experiencing a bit of inconvenience. The ultimate result, however, whether selling your home or improving your living space, is sure to put a big smile on your face!

home remodeling contractor

Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home as seen from the curb. Curb appeal is always desirable and is especially critical when selling your home. Even if your home is absolutely beautiful on the inside, potential buyers may receive a negative first impression and drive right by without stopping, if your curb appeal is lacking. If the outside of your home appears in disrepair, this can also give the impression that other maintenance on the inside the home may not have been done. Therefore, when you are preparing your home for sale, be sure to remember to stage and make repairs to the exterior as well as the interior!
The following 10 tips will be sure to boost your home’s curb appeal:

1. Trim back overgrown shrubbery in the yard; especially in the front of your home. Doing this will also allow more natural light into the home, which is always a plus for potential buyers.

2. Keep your lawn nicely mowed. If you notice any brown or discolored patches, be sure to replace those with fresh sod.

3. Weed and mulch gardens to give your yard an overall well-manicured look.

4. Plant seasonal flowers to add a splash of color and life to your yard. In winter, try ornamental cabbage or kale. If your yard space is limited, you can plant seasonal flowers in small planters near the entrance to your home.

5. Update outdoor light fixtures to a current style and be sure light bulbs are in working order. Using energy efficient bulbs can be a plus for potential buyers.

6. Replace the mailbox if it is in disrepair or to coordinate with your home’s paint scheme.

7. Repaint the front door, especially if the paint is peeling or cracking. Use a color that accents your exterior color palette and be sure to keep your overall color palette as neutral as possible so that it will appeal to the greatest number of potential homebuyers.

8. Repaint the front porch if it appears worn. If your porch is concrete, be sure to use concrete filler (available at most home improvement stores) to fill any cracks before painting and always use a paint that is specified for outdoor use on concrete.

9. Repair the front walkway to your home if needed. Fill any cracks in a cement walkway with concrete filler and replace any missing stones or pavers.

10. Be sure your house numbers are prominently displayed. If they are difficult to read from the street, replace them with larger numbers.

Doing some small maintenance and repairs to the outside of your home before putting it on the market can help your home sell faster and easier. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression!