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April 28, 2022Should You Move or Remodel Your Current Home?
It's an age-old question, and sometimes there's no right answer. It's so easy to get stuck, going round in circles in your head, about such an important life choice. On the one hand, relocating is a massive upheaval, on the other hand, would remodeling or renovating be worth the time money, and aggravation?
Here I can help you clarify some of those nagging doubts, and give you some formats to help you make such a momentous decision.
SOME THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
Take a brief look at some pros, and cons, you may, or may not, have thought about, both moving, and having a home renovation.
Look at some innovative remodeling ideas and some pitfalls to avoid.
THE PROS AND CONS LIST
The pros and cons list is a great way to order your thoughts, and quite often by the time you've written down all your pros and cons, the decision becomes obvious. Alternatively, you can head your pros and cons lists: "Why home remodel? "and "why relocate" But remember, it's not just a case of seeing which list is longer, a single pro could be so large, it
outweighs 5 or 6 cons. See the process more as a way of ordering your thoughts.
Some questions to think about when writing your lists are.
- The financial implications.
How much will it cost to remodel or renovate, and much will cost to upsize to a larger property? Is the housing market good right now?
- The location.
Is your present house in the ideal location, for schools, for work, or simply for your friendship group? Would a new location be better?
- The upheaval.
This can apply to both moving and remodeling. Both situations can be time-consuming, stressful, and disturb the day-to-day running of the household.
- The timing.
Is this a good time to move, or remodel? For instance, is your eldest child in their final year at school? Would either choice affect their exam results? And will they be going to college next year, and freeing up some space in the house anyway?
- Emotional attachment.
Do not underestimate this. It is an intangible element, some people can detach easily, and others not so easily. Those memories of Billies first steps, or Charlotte's 5th birthday party can be quite a compelling reason to stay.
SPACE-SAVING IDEAS
Have you considered all the elements and decided it's not the time to sell or the time for a home renovation. There are still plenty of ways you can create more space in your existing home.
- Cabin beds for the kids are a great way of not only creating more storage but giving your kids a sense of ownership if they are having to share a room.
-Having a pull-down table and benches in the kitchen can create more floor space.
- Declutter. It's so easy to let toys and games the kids have grown out of, and old Christmas presents that never get used, clutter up cupboards, and living spaces.
- Put a cabin down the garden. A cabin can make a great playroom for older kids, or a quiet space for homework, or reading.
UP OR OUT?
- The home extension.
If you have weighed your choices and have decided to remodel? The next big decision is whether to have a house extension or a loft conversion.
A home extension is a fantastic way to add more space to your home. It can create an extra room downstairs and an extra room upstairs at the same time. It does however increase your home's footprint and can have planning complications. It will also eat into your garden space.
- The loft conversion.
If it's just a bedroom you're short on, a loft conversion is a great way to go. But is your loft suitable? Modern building techniques have vastly changed the way lofts are constructed.
A couple of things to discuss with your remodeling company are:
1. The positioning of the stairs.
Stairs are quite bulky and will inevitably take up room in one of the lower rooms.
2. Windows.
Velux windows are cheap and easy to fit, but have their drawbacks, in that you don't get a view, and you don't want to leave them open when it rains!
Dorma windows, on the other hand, give you the view and can add space, and character to your loft conversion, but will require a more extensive planning application, and much more work expense and upheaval.
LEARN FROM OTHER PEOPLE'S MISTAKES!
-Choose a good company.
A reputable company is a must when undertaking extensive home renovations. Always look at customer feedback when choosing a construction company.
- Don't underestimate the size of the room.
It is much better to work out at the planning stage how much room you will actually need because it is very easy to underestimate.
Measure your existing rooms to get a realistic impression of the size of the room you want to create. Measure your furniture, and see how it fits in your floor plan, remembering the positioning of doors and windows.
- Think about door and window positioning.
Just because the door to the garden has always been in the right-hand corner of the kitchen, does not mean it has to stay there in the extension, maybe it's better on the left, or in the center.
- Storage issues.
It is easy to forget about storage space. Under the eaves makes an efficient storage space in a loft conversion, but do you really want to be going under there for a sweater? And what about all that junk you already have stored in the loft? Where does that go?
- Home insurance
It is always good to check with your home insurance exactly what they cover and what they are willing to cover, throughout the build, and after the work is completed. If you are doing something unusual, you may have to swap to a specialist insurance provider.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND INSPIRATIONS.
I know it can be overwhelming, with all the things you have to take into consideration, but with a bit of help, the results can massively enhance your life.
Over and over again I have found "planning is everything", so take your time, do as much planning as you can, write things down and keep them ordered.
Whatever your choice, whether it's moving, remodeling, or space-saving your existing home, don't be afraid to explore ideas. If it helps make collages, vision boards, detailed plans, or whatever else that will help you create your dream home.
At Century Bay Builders, you’ll find the experts that can help you create a stunning and unique space according to your taste, budget, and preferences.
Ready to start? Get in touch with us to start planning the home of your dreams.
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