20 Home Improvement Tips That Add Value To Your Home in Phoenix

Phoenix remodeling and home improvement projects add to your enjoyment of your home, but can also boost your home's value. Some improvements are better and more cost-effective than others, so it's important to weigh your options for your specific situation. Whether you just bought a house, are renovating to live and age in place, or if you are preparing to sell in the next few years, increasing the value of your home is easier than you may think. We've compiled this list of value-added tips to get you inspired.

• Freshen Up The Paint

  Adding a fresh coat of paint to the interior and/or exterior is a big contributor to the perceived value of your home. Not only does it provide the opportunity to update the color and cleanliness of your home, but it is also the most cost-effective improvement that you can do.

  Accent walls are a great way to bring in a pop of color without the hassle of painting an entire room. The living room, master bedroom suite, and home office space are ideal areas of your home to bring in a new or updated accent color. Paint is one of the easiest and low-cost upgrades that you can make to your home, and one that you can tackle more frequently than a larger remodel project.

  For those that are performing updates for home listing purposes, we always recommend painting. From a potential buyers' perspective, it makes the home appear clean, fresh and well taken care of. It is worth stating though that you'll want to limit the accent walls and colors used in your home. While you might love a bold color palette, a buyer may be turned off by it.

• New Entry Door

  Replacing your worn entry door with a new steel one is at the top of the list for value-added home improvements. Not only will it add to the appearance of your home, but you'll appreciate the low maintenance and energy-efficient benefits as well. Not to mention the extra security.

• A Functional Home Office or Work Station

  With the available technology these days, a functional work station is more important than ever. Many employers have elected to have employees work remotely to save on operating costs and efficiencies. Most families have a least 2 people in their household that use a computer or laptop on a regular basis.

  Whether for space to pay bills, work from home or just to have a comfortable spot for social networking, a home office can play many roles. A dedicated space can be built or set up within a loft, an available countertop spot within the Kitchen, or by converting an existing den or bedroom into a home office. Make sure to add shelving and have the needed electrical outlets for such items as a computer, printer, and charging station for devices to accommodate various types of needs.

• Add Kitchen Enhancements

  Used for cooking, entertaining, workspace, and congregating, the kitchen is the most used room in the home. Upgrades and enhancements to the kitchen can make the biggest impact on you and your family's daily routine. Not to mention, an appropriately upgraded Kitchen will hold its value more than any other room in your home. Choose wisely when considering the upgrades for your space though if you are doing a minor renovation or partial remodel of the kitchen. Be sure to select appliances and fixtures that are up to date with recent trends and provide energy-efficient money-saving features.

  Talk to your remodeling contractor about incorporating options such as spacious countertops or an island for more prep area, a deep or specialty sink to make your household chores and cooking easier, and plenty of storage space to get the most value for your money.

• A Patio for Entertaining

  A nicely laid out patio for entertaining and family time can add value to your home. If built correctly and to code, a patio addition will last for many years to come.

  Already have a large covered patio? An existing patio can be given a facelift with upgrades, such as adding ceiling fans, decorative stone finish on the patio columns, or even including a built-in barbeque with a bar top for guests to mingle with the cook! Homebuyers will be able to easily imagine their friends and family over for get-togethers when they see your professional-looking patio.

• Get Energy-Efficient Windows

  Many homeowners rank Energy Star-rated windows as one of their most-wanted features for their home. Upgrading your windows to triple-pane insulating glass or windows with low-e insulating glass will help save on your utility bills. By blocking the sun's heat and stopping that heat flow into your home, you're A/C will not have to work as hard to keep the temperature comfortable during the hot Arizona summer months.

  If your home has beautiful large windows overlooking your manicured lawn or other scenic views, you will not want to defeat the purpose with windows that are older and not energy efficient causing higher living expenses. The leading cause of heat getting into your home creating higher electricity bills is through your windows. Did you know that you can save up to 30% on energy costs by upgrading your windows? There are many types of windows on the market to meet your needs and budget. Make sure that you choose a complimenting neutral frame color for your new windows to match your home

• Installing A Kitchen Backsplash

  The kitchen is full of value-added projects that can be down. For homeowners that are not in a position to do a large scale or partial remodel, but are still looking for value-added improvements to make, the backsplash is a great place to start. Installing a kitchen backsplash is an impactful way to update the look of your space at an affordable cost. Mosaics and glass tiles are among the popular choices. Bearing in mind that the cost of a backsplash depends on the material you select, it is a value-added project that can be done in as little as 2 days. Tile can be installed in one day, with the grouting and sealing done on the following day.

  Talk to your kitchen remodeling contractor about tile they'd recommend for your space and within your budget.  You can learn more about the cost of a kitchen remodel in Phoenix here.

• Smart Home Technology

  Similar to the benefits of having energy-efficient windows and appliances, a programmable thermostat adds energy-management benefits as well. A smart thermostat can adjust your energy consumption and provide you more control over your usage.

  Other smart home technology devices can aid in detecting leaks, such as water in order to prevent a flood or other costly damage from occurring.

  Security monitoring and motion detecting systems, garage doors, and entry door locks with smart features are also worth looking into if safety is a concern.

• Flooring Must-Haves

  Larger scale tile in lieu of standard 12x12 tiles adds an upscale feeling to a home. Decorative tile at entryways or in transition areas can add the perfect architectural touch. Love the look of wood flooring? Porcelain wood plank tile is the latest trend in flooring. It has the look of real wood, but with added durability and less maintenance. There has been much advancement in the flooring industry and thus an endless array of materials and colors to choose from to get the perfect look for your home.

  TIP: When adding tile to wet rooms of the home, such as Kitchens and Bathrooms, make sure that the grout is sealed and low maintenance non-slip flooring is chosen.

  New flooring in a home provides the feeling of being fresh and clean. If your motivation for remodeling is for resale, flooring is a task that a future buyer does not always want to make on their own dime. Having new flooring in a neutral color scheme could be your selling point. Many homeowners will shy away from flooring that requires regular maintenance, polishing, or staining upkeep.

• Open Up The Floorplan

  By knocking out the right (non-load bearing) interior wall in your Phoenix home remodeling project, you essentially create a more spacious layout. This is a great way of making it appear as if you've added square footage to your home. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has done surveys about which design concepts are favored. As suspected, completely open concepts and partially open layouts are preferred. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are the most common areas to talk to your remodeling contractor about opening up.

  TIP: Another way to make your home feel larger is to replace heavy closed drapes with shutters or blinds that let in more natural light.

• Low Maintenance Landscaping

  Landscaping that is low maintenance and worry-free is preferred in today's fast pace environment. Not only will it save you time and energy, but you'll also see a noticeable difference in your utility bill each month as well. When shopping for plans, choose ones that are native to your region and/or are drought-tolerant. These types of plants require less water and attention. A beautifully decorated yard provides the first impression you need from the moment you pull into the drive.

• Turn Your Tub/Shower Into A Walk-In

  Many home builders nowadays are no longer putting tub/shower combos in the master bathroom. Some are electing to do just a (spacious) walk-in shower stall, while others are offering a separate freestanding tub to those homeowners that still want a tub to soak in. A bathroom remodel can turn your tub/shower combo into a walk-in shower you creating a much safer bathing experience for all members of your family by eliminating the step-in hazard. This also gives you the opportunity to create a larger showering area and to incorporate spa-like features for added value. You can learn more about the cost of a bathroom remodel in Phoenix here.

  Keeping a tub in the home is always a smart decision for resale purposes, but not every bathroom needs a tub anymore. Guest or secondary bathrooms are perfect for having a tub, especially for bathing children.

• Ideal Balance of Lighting and Natural Light

  The perfect balance of lighting and natural light will make your home seem more spacious and can be used to focus on just the right areas. You will want to have a good variety of lighting depending on the room as well. For instance, a child's bathroom could have timed lighting that will shut off after no activity, whereas the Master Bathroom should have appropriate lighting for hygiene needs with dimmable lighting for a more soothing and relaxed atmosphere. Pendant lighting along a countertop bar and under cabinet lighting in a Kitchen are also popular alternatives to only having standard recessed lighting or a chandelier.

  Landscape lighting, while they bring a tranquil feel, can also bring an increased level of safety to your home. Lighting can be used to enhance visibility along walkways and steps to help avoid trips and falls. The same holds true for inside your home. A few interior lighting projects to consider are under cabinets, in the bathroom, near the toilet, or motion-detecting lights down hallways or stairs.

• Replace The Old Toilets

  Rarely does anyone want to talk about toilets. They may not be the most exciting upgrade that you can make, but definitely are one that you should really think about. Replacing your old toilet technology will save on your utility bills. Federal laws have begun restricting toilet tanks to become more low-flow by reducing the gallons per flush. Low-flow toilets move less water more forcefully. Many models now have tech features like self-cleaning abilities, LED night lighting, seat warmers, no-touch flushing sensors, and motion-detecting senses.

• Swap Out Fixtures

  It especially holds true if the fixtures that you have in your home are broken, worn, or tarnished. Swapping out the fixtures with new drawer knobs, hinges pulls, and faucets allow you to create a cohesive and modern look in your room. These inexpensive simple upgrades can make a big impact on the look of your space.

• Universal Design

  Homeowners (and buyers alike) are focusing on ways to modify their homes to be more flexible as they plan to continue living and aging in place. This mindset of forward-thinking takes into account all members of the family that could be in the home with varying needs. From toddlers to those young at heart, our needs change as we age. There are particular renovations that you can do to your Phoenix home to allow it to adapt more easily to those needs such as:

  • Having a bedroom on the main floor of the home
  • Laundry room on the main floor to avoid climbing stairs in order to wash clothes
  • Widening doorways for increased accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs or other walking aids
  • Incorporating safety features like grab bars in convenient places
  • Relocating the microwave from above the stove
  • Minimizing slip and fall hazards in the home
  • Swapping out cabinet knobs for pulls that are easier to grasp
  • Choosing appliances that have operational buttons on the front that are easy to reach
  • Reconfiguring storage to eliminate hard to reach areas

• Attic Insulation

  Making upgrades to your home that make it more energy-efficient is always at the top of every homeowner list, this especially holds true for hot climates such as Phoenix Arizona. By having an adequate amount of loose-fill attic insulation will add value, while also saving you money on energy costs.

• Garage Door Replacement

  Not only will replacing your garage door boost the curb appeal of your home, but it can also add to the efficiency of your home by upgrading to an insulated door as well. As one of the more affordable projects that you can do, replacing your garage door is definitely one to consider.

• Add Stone Veneer

  Adding a stone veneer to the front of your home has always placed well in Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Reports that are published annually. Stone enhances the curb appeal of your home and is said to recover almost 100% of the cost making it an improvement you'll want to consider.

  One tip that we can pass along is to add the veneer in moderation to specific areas that you want to draw attention to such as replacing a band of existing vinyl siding or stucco along with the bottom third of the front of your home, around the entryway, garage or on posts.

• Inspect It

  Home projects are not all focused around the cosmetics of your home. Performing a thorough walk of your home on an annual or bi-annual basis is crucial. Deteriorating roofs, loose electrical outlets, leaking plumbing or landscaping and termite infestations are just a few issues that you cannot fix if you don't take the time to know about them. Hiring an experienced contractor to perform the inspection is recommended. They will look for issues in areas that you wouldn't normally and could uncover hidden problems. Catching any concerns with your home before they turn into more costly repairs is key. A deteriorating roof that is not addressed could cause additional water damage to your home and if not detected can lead to mold or rot. A small problem can become a big problem very quickly and have a negative impact on your home's value the longer you put off the repairs.

Prioritize & Plan Your Remodeling Projects

Having a clear plan and list of priorities will help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to home remodeling. Make a list of the things you want to change, upgrades that will have the biggest impact, and those that have the highest need (for example items that are unusable or damaged). It is important to categorize your projects by how much they may cost. You'll want to start slowly with what you can comfortably afford and maximize your budget. A luxurious pool with waterfalls would be nice, but if it is outside your budget it essentially eliminates your ability to do other projects that may be of more importance. Renovating on an impulse will not fare as well as upgrades that are made intentionally and are focused on increasing value.

When remodeling for resale purposes, you'll want to be mindful of your material and color selections in order to make them appeal to the masses and not be personalized. Talk to your realtor or one that is experienced in your region about your selling plan. They can provide helpful information about trends and home features that are in current demand in your area.

Hire An Experienced Phoenix Remodeling Contractor

One way to get your projects done right the first time and stay within budget is to hire an experienced remodeling contractor. For homeowners in the Phoenix Arizona market, the choice is simple. TWD. Our on-staff design team is nationally accredited in Universal Design and interior design bringing years of experience and knowledge to your project list. We employ skilled craftsmen to construct out all of your projects with quality workmanship built to last. With our full range of services offered, we can tackle all of your home improvement projects to get your home back in tip-top shape. Visit our website at www.twdaz.com to request your free consultation today. While you are there, read through hundreds of five-star reviews from other homeowners we've had the pleasure of working with. You will quickly see why we are one of the most trusted contractors around. Thousands of projects in our extensive portfolio combined with almost 25 years serving the Arizona homebuilding market make us the ideal choice to use on your next home improvement project.