Friday Fun Facts – What Home Renovations Aren’t Worth the Price Tag

If you’ve ever wondered how much it would cost to renovate your home and if it’s worth it… you are not alone. According to data from Forbes, the average home renovation costs $41,600, with projects ranging from $1,200 to $82,000, depending on the size of your home and the scope of the work involved.
While the goal of investing in a home renovation project is often to increase the value of your property, there are some features that may not be worth the upfront cost when it comes time to sell your property in the future. Here are six house features that buyers aren’t interested in:
- Turning Your Garage Into Living Space
Prospective buyers typically prefer a functional garage for parking rather than a specialized living space. Before selling, consider returning the garage to its original function. - Adding an ADU to Your Property
The installation of an alternative dwelling unit (ADU) can significantly alter vehicle and storage space, potentially raising concerns for potential buyers. - High-End Kitchen Appliances
While high-end appliances and renovations may seem desirable, they may not significantly increase the home’s resale value. - Built-In Shelving
Built-in shelving and entertainment systems could restrict furniture configuration options, potentially causing inconvenience for buyers. - Niche Additions
Specialty additions like gyms, wine rooms, and movie-screening rooms may make it difficult to sell your home and may not necessarily increase its value. - Swimming Pool
Installing a pool can be costly and may deter potential buyers due to maintenance demands and safety concerns, particularly for families with small children.
It’s important to carefully consider these factors when planning home renovation projects, especially if the goal is to increase the property’s resale value.
Seven Phases of Home Renovations

The 7 Phases of Home Renovations:
Phase 1: Get super pumped about an idea. Pin, pin, pin on Pinterest until you’re bursting with excitement. Tell everyone about your amazing project.
Phase 2: Collect materials. Realize things cost a lot. Begin project fueled by coffee, nervous anticipation and adrenaline.
Phase 3: Get halfway through the project. It doesn’t look exactly like your Pinterest board but it’s still cool. Realize you haven’t showered or shaved in +/- 3 days. But it’s all good because you’re 50% there!
Phase 4: There’s visible progress but it’s not totally done. It looks done on the Instagram photo though! But in reality, the project is about 85% complete and it bugs you every time you see that one grout line that needs a little attention or that one corner that needs a little touch up paint. It’s okay though, you’ll get to it this weekend.
Phase 5: Weeks have gone by. The blisters on your hands have healed. You stop noticing the grout line that needs filling or the wall that needs paint. You’re busy enjoying the house and admiring your clean fingernails.
Phase 6: Write a blog about how you’re still not done with that one bathroom you started two months ago.
Phase 7: Complete project, details included. Toast to celebrate. Post more photos to Instagram. Start dreaming of a new project. Pin, pin, pin…
Some people may say the hardest part of a renovation is starting the project. We say it’s that last pesky 5%. We’ll get it done . . . eventually.
For more information on Windermere Evergreen and our team, please contact us here.