As spring begins and summer nears, chances are you’ll be thinking of a few home improvements to make as the weather warms. While you may have a few DIY tricks up your sleeve, we want to make sure you always get the most bang for your buck. Whether you’re replacing your roof or updating your garden, we care about the value of your home. As roofers, we obviously enjoy a good hard day’s work and getting our hands dirty but we also love helping our clients make wise home improvement decisions. As your local and trusted Ann Arbor roofing company, we care about our community, its homes, and its homeowners. That’s why we want to share what we’ve learned to be the worst home improvement investments.

When it comes to your home’s ROI, these home improvement options have statistically offered the least value:

Sunroom Addition 

As an Ann Arbor roofing company, our roofers know a thing or to about spending time in the sun! (Even in Michigan, where the weather can be quite unpredictable.) While basking in the relaxing rays of our beloved friend seems like the perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon, it’s probably not the best idea to make it a part of your home. According to Remodeling, an addition such as a sunroom garners some of the lowest return on your investment. While you may spend anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the sunroom, statistics show that you’re likely to only receive half of what you invest back. It may be tempting to add on that sunroom addition but you may want to reconsider.

Personalized Decor 

It may seem obvious that painting your home with polka dots isn’t the best way to increase its value yet many well-meaning people make design and decor decisions that end up being far too personalized for the average buyer. If you’re looking to increase your home’s value and your overall ROI, you probably want to avoid including highly personalized design and decor options. For example, unless it’s medically necessary you don’t want to install counter tops at a personalized height. The standard counter height for kitchens countertops is around 36 inches and home buyers will most likely expect the standard. When you’re updating your home, it’s important to keep in mind future prospects. Will you be selling your home one day? If so, you’ll want to make design decisions that will stand the test of time.

Full-On Carpeting 

As nice as soft, plush carpeting feels underfoot, buyers just aren’t having it these days. If you’re looking to increase your ROI, Realtor suggests installing hardwood flooring. In fact, they go on to say that hardwood flooring typically returns in the 70-80% range. Carpeting, on the other and, does not. In addition to being buyer-friendly, hardwood floors are easier to clean and maintain than traditional carpeting. If you can’t bear to go sans-carpeting, there’s always the option of installing hardwood floors and making use of thick rugs. This combines the best of both worlds, giving you the softness you desire while appeasing potential home buyers in the future.

We’ve talked about some of the worst home improvement projects for your money but there’s one home improvement option that’s always worth the cost: repairing and replacing your roof. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, installing a new roof can increase your home’s resale value by nearly $14,000 in Michigan. Our Ypsilanti roofing company is ready to help your home reach its full potential. Schedule a free estimate with Roof Advance and let our roofing experts help you make a wise investment.

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