As the seasons change the weather gets colder, more homeowners start to turn their thoughts to the coming winter, and the preparations their homes might need to make it through it comfortably. Even though there are a number of expensive upgrades and remodels that owners could do on their homes this fall, there are also several others that can just have as big a direct effect on comfort, energy efficiency and how well the property will hold up throughout the coming months that should cost a lot less.
Fall small remodels for less than $500
These five fall small remodels all cost less than $500 and definitely will still give homeowners and sellers a lot of bang for their buck.
1. Insulate the attic
The vast majority of homes today are under-insulated, ultimately causing higher energy bills, colder interiors in the winter and hotter interiors during the summer.
And even in homes that do have adequate insulation, it’s important to remember that older insulation does break down as time passes, and it will become displaced by rodents, pests or workman, all of which can reduce its efficiency.
Insulation often tops the list of things home buyers like to see because it means they’ll have lower utility bills, while staying much more comfortable year round.
Adding the insulation before the cold temperatures sets in, when home buyers have it in mind and are questioning the electric bills, provides it with an opportunity to shine during the home inspection, yet still time allowing the owner to recoup a whopping 116.9 % of the costs at time of resale, which happens to be an exceptionally attractive selling point.
Project timeline estimate: DIY homeowners can tackle this project spanning a weekend. Hiring a pro to handle the job can get it completed in under one day.
Cost: The typical cost of insulating an attic is around $400.
Money saving tips: Put money into batts that don’t use fiberglass, and also have them installed DIY to save on labor costs. Choose the highest R-value insulation available to enable the new homebuyers to save more on their energy bills going forward in order to get the best ROI.
2. Put in storm windows
Once the warmer days are over, cool air starts seeping in around your existing windows and doors. This is due to an air gap that may be present in many homes, which often can be the cause of a loss of as much as 40 percent of the energy used to heat the house.
Putting up storm windows before a property is being shown will eliminate drafts and make it much more comfortable for buyers walking through.
Best of all, as outlined by Energy.gov, installing them can save the homeowners 12 % to 33% of their energy costs, while installing any new windows can help recoup as much as 73% of the cost at time of resale, meaning this easy project can help them save, while creating a better impression on buyers simultaneously.
Project timeline estimate: It takes just a couple hours to put up storm windows all around the home, seal them in and insulate them.
Cost: The cost of installing storm windows is around $275.
3. Seal an asphalt driveway
Tiny cracks that appear in the driveway as time passes both detract from the house’s curb appeal and can result in big holes and larger expenses if left alone over the winter.
The cooler fall days would be the perfect time of year to seal an asphalt driveway considering that the lower temperatures both mean that the asphalt will cure more quickly and that the VOCs and scent it gives off will be lower and less prone to put off home buyers.
Having the seller seal up these cracks now ensures that there won’t be major pot holes showing up in the spring following the freeze-thaw cycles are complete, and it also ensures that the driveway will look fresh, attractive and certain to improve curb appeal for the entire property.
Sealing the driveway protects it, which in turn helps it maintain its value; failing to seal the driveway implies that the property could lose value over the winter when the damage is done.
Project timeline estimate: It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to seal a driveway, and another one to two days for curing.
Cost: The price to seal a driveway is around $200.
Money saving tips: Tackling this job DIY could possibly get the largest ROI and save money at the same time.
4. Hydroseed the lawn
The cool nights and warmer days of fall make it the best time of year to seed a lawn. Grass seeds grow and take root better in cooler weather, so sowing new seed at this time of the year will create a richer, fuller lawn in the spring.
Hydroseeding is probably the least expensive ways to seed a lawn, nourishing it for the coming winter time. It can be done DIY by the seller as well, as a way to reduce costs.
Enhancing the landscaping and lawn of a property can have a direct impact of up to 20 % of the value of the home, making this a smart fall decision. The landscaping is also one of the first things a buyer sees, which makes it an important part of the home’s curb appeal.
Project timeline estimate: Hydro-seeding takes a few hours to a full day depending on the size of the lawn.
Cost: The typical cost to hydroseed a lawn is $0.50 to $1 a square foot.
Money saving tips: Seed the lawn DIY to save the most. Fertilize simultaneously to provide additional nourishment and ensure that the grass grows properly.
5. Install an electric fireplace
As the weather turns cooler more people begin hanging out indoor, which may lead some people to begin thinking of cozy, warm spaces, such as rooms with built-in fireplaces.
Electric fireplaces are clean, energy efficient additions to any home that can add instant visual appeal and warmth at the same time, a thing that both the buyer and the seller can appreciate.
They range from plug-in units to built-in features so it’s easy to find one that fits the room’s decor, as well as the seller’s budget, easily.
And according to realtor.com, adding any working fireplace, including electric and nicely kept mantel to a home can add as much as $12,000 to the home’s value, making it attractive to current homeowners and new buyers alike.
Project timeline estimate: Plug-in electric fireplaces can be installed in just minutes, particularly when there is an existing firebox. Otherwise, they can be built into a wall or alcove in one to three days.
Cost: The average cost to install an electric fireplace is approximately $300.
Money saving tips: Select a plug-in unit to save the most on building or installation fees. Use an existing fireplace to convert.
As chilly weather shows its head, it’s vital that you leave an impression of a warm, cozy home that’s welcoming to everyone that enters.
Upgrading and improving a home to include these features, doesn’t need to cost a fortune either.
