Your home is the largest investment you will ever make.

It is also the financial backbone of your financial portfolio. If you keep your home in good repair and upgrade as needed, the property value increases. This has a large impact on your credit score, financial stability and ability to borrow money.

However, keeping our homes modern and our landscapes spotless is costly. This is why we choose projects to undertake one at a time and base them on priority.

Sometimes we have to admit that we cannot do a project ourselves. If you are not experienced in the work, if you do not have the tools required, and you do not know how to use the tools, this is a good indication that you need to hire a professional. Consider this, your budget could more than double if you make a mistake that ruins the project. Cutting in the wrong place or trying to work with water and electricity can cause substantial damage. This is the kind of damage that not only ruins the remodel, but could possibly destroy the structure itself. Once you have decided to hire a professional, he will work with you to stay in budget.

KITCHEN AND BATH

The two most popular rooms in the house are the kitchen and the bathrooms. These are the two rooms your family and guests will inevitably end up in at some point during their visit. These two rooms are also very important when establishing the resale value of you home.

That is why the kitchen and bathrooms make the top of our under 20K remodeling list.

Of course, the price of remodeling your kitchen and bath are based on the size, condition, and desired result of your home. But, we can still estimate what can be done for our budgeted price.

KITCHEN:

• Replace old sinks with modern sinks or vessels
• Replace outdated faucets with modern faucets
• Replace flooring
• Painting or refinishing cabinets
• Replacing countertops
• Placing backsplashes
• Replace fixtures, hardware, lighting, and kitchen decor

If you simply replace the sinks and faucets, the floor covering, and paint you can give your kitchen a modern look for about half the cost. Again, this is depending on the quality of the materials you choose and how large the room is and if the layout is remaining the same.

Since you are remodeling in stages, go with traditional designs and colors that stay in style year after year.

BATH:

You can upgrade and remodel your bathroom for under $20K if you choose your materials wisely. You can achieve the look you want by:

• Replacing the tile
• Putting in stone walls
• Painting
• Replacing the sinks with modern sinks or vessels
• Replace shower doors
• Upgrade a free standing tub
• Upgrade lighting
• Replace mirrors
• Replace handles
• Update decor

Talk to your contractor about upgrading showers and shower doors. This makes a big impact on the immediate impression of the bathroom. Sometimes removing outdated shelves or cabinets can make a huge difference in the room. It gives it a more modern look and the appearance of more space. If you need a view blocked a bit, use greenery. Silk trees and plants give the entire room a fresher look that never goes out of style.

WOOD FLOORS

When it comes to flooring, wood floors are a must-have. They deliver the best and strongest return on your investment and they are beautiful. If you already have wood floors, have them sanded and refinished to bring them back to their natural beauty.

If you include wood flooring in your home improvements, stay away from Laminate or poor quality wood products. Those types of products are not an investment in the future of your home or its value.

UPGRADED PLUMBING

This is one of those investments no one really wants to make. You cannot see the plumbing and the very idea of having the old plumbing removed gives us chills. However, if your pipes need to be replaced, they will be taken into consideration and it will cost you big if you try to sell your home. Here are a few other reasons to consider investing in new plumbing:

THE WATER TASTES FUNNY

You may be used to it, but a person who is not may notice an unusual odor or unpleasant tastes.

LEAKS

Even if you do not see the leaks, you could still have them. Small leaks behind walls, under floors and in hidden areas cause damage to the house and cost you money for water. Eventually, the leaks will be noticeable. You will have damaged walls, floors, ceilings, and even damage to the structure of the home.

PIPES FREEZING IN THE WINTER

MOLD GROWING INSIDE THE WALLS DUE TO DAMPNESS WHICH IS UNHEALTHY

Mold can cause your family to become very ill and sometimes you cannot recover. It is especially dangerous to infants and senior citizens.

BUILD A STEEL BACKYARD PUB SHED

Forget the man cave, the backyard pub shed is where the action is. Would you like to have your own private pub in your yard to entertain friends and family? Would you like to be the house where people congregate? Does the idea of kicking back with a cold drink, listening to music in the solitude of your own yard after a hard day sound like heaven? Well, this is another project you can do for less than $20,000.

Once your shed is in place, you simply need the basics. Install a modern sink or vessel in the bar, get a mini-fridge or a kegerator and a microwave for snacks. Music, dart boards, pool table, bar stools, or loungers and you are in business.

BUILD YOUR HOBBY GARAGE

Quality steel buildings are a great investment, which is why they are one of the best options for building your dream garage. They increase your property value and they last for decades. Steel buildings are prefabricated and easy to assemble.

They go up fast and are virtually maintenance free. They are also versatile. Meaning, if at some point in the future you want to turn your garage into a studio, or storage room, you can do so easily. These buildings come with a 40-year rust through guarantee. They never need painting and they come in a variety of colors and styles.

READY FOR THE INVESTMENT?

The costs of these home improvement ideas are rather affordable, considering that remodeling work can cost up to 30% of the entire home’s value.

These are just a few idea of improvements you can make that will improve your quality of life and increase the value of your property. You do not have to spend a fortune to have the home of your dreams.

Before you decide on how to invest your money, consider hiring a home inspector to tell you of any problem areas you are unaware of. Have the roof, wiring, windows, heating and air conditioning systems, ventilation, and insulation checked. Check the walkways, driveways, and access points for needed repairs. Make sure your home is high quality and you will reap a great return on your investment.