When you buy a new home, it’s the perfect time to do any home renovations that will help make your home feel more personal. Whether this is a kitchen remodel that includes new flooring or a bathroom remodel that simply involves some new paint, this is something that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says about 53% of homebuyers are doing today. Here are the top projects you should consider.
Paint the Walls
An easy, inexpensive way to personalize your home is to change your rooms’ color. Make sure you use low or no VOC paints so you don’t pollute your indoor air with volatile organic chemicals (e.g. benzene, formaldehyde) that you shouldn’t breathe in. Fortunately, these are available in various price points so you shouldn’t have an issue finding one that’ll work for you.
A Kitchen Remodel
According to the NAR, about 47% of people want to have a kitchen remodel completed before moving into their new home. This can be as easy as adding new appliances or countertops. You can also change the hardware that’s there. When installing new cabinets beware of the formaldehyde that’s used in their glue as it can be released into your home. You should opt to use cabinets that are labeled NAUF (no added urea formaldehyde) in your home renovation when possible.
A Bathroom Remodel
The NAR says that about 44% of people say that a bathroom remodel is an important home renovation project to complete before moving into their new home. You can simply replace the vanity or fixtures. Make sure your home is properly ventilated before you get to work on any of these things though.
Install or Refinish Flooring
When you pull up your carpeting you may get lucky and find something there that’s salvageable, but typically this won’t happen so you’ll need to refinish the floors. If you choose to undertake this home renovation project yourself, it’s important to open all the windows and set up barriers so that you can easily clean up all the dirt and debris before you start sanding and applying a new finish to your floors.
Additionally, you should opt to use a water-based finishing system since it’ll produce much less smog than an oil-based system. These will off-gas (the chemicals will give off gas) for 6 months to a year whereas water-based systems only off-gas for 48 hours. The best option here is a Rubio Monocat – this highly durable, rustic matte finishing system contains no VOCs. If you want carpet, then opt for wool instead of something synthetic. At the very least, you should have your carpeting professionally cleaned before moving into your new home so you don’t have to deal with the dead skin cells and mites that are lurking there.
It’s Time for the Renovations!
Tackling your own home renovation projects is never fun, especially when you’ve just bought a home you’re looking forward to moving into. So, if you want some help with these projects, contact Hybrid Construction LLC so you can get started on them as soon as possible.
Picture Credit: MamaShaw