Did you know that annual home maintenance costs, according to MSN Real Estate, equal an average of 10% of your home’s value? If your home is worth $350,000, that means you can look forward to $3,500 in annual bills for things like plumbing repair. Choosing to look to a home improvement company can, in some instances, reduce your upkeep costs temporarily by improving the quality of your home. If you are looking to upgrade your home, here are four ways to improve your home improvement experience.
- Do Your Research
- Tax Breaks
- Return on Investment
- What is the Impact on Your Value?
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Not every home improvement company will be highly recommended. The fact is that some companies do poor work while commanding usurious prices. For this reason, you should talk with friends and family to see if they recommend a home improvement company they have used in the past. If none of your friends and family have used a home improvement company, then you can turn to a website like Angie’s List which provides reviews on contractors for all types of home improvement. Protect yourself with a little research.
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According to the United States Department of Agriculture, home improvement grants are available to qualifying individuals living in underdeveloped, rural areas of the United States. The government also provides home improvement loans with bad credit to some individuals through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Whether or not you qualify is determined on a case by case basis.
Even if you do not qualify for a grant or loan, you can still save on your home improvement costs through government tax breaks. For instance, as House Logic points out, replacing your roof with a more energy efficient installation can net you a $500 tax credit. Check out Energy Star for a complete list of home improvements that qualify for tax credits.
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When considering home improvement products, you should find out if they offer any sort of return on investment beyond tax breaks. For example, upgrading your windows to double pane, eco-friendly models can save you $25 to $50 a month on your heating and cooling costs, according to NPR. This allows you to make back the costs of installation over time.
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One of the main considerations when turning to a home improvement company is what sort of economic impact any improvements will have on your home. Landscaping, for example, is one of the best ways to beautify your home while increasing its value. According to SF Gate, putting effort into your landscaping can net you 5.5% to 12.7% more should you ever decide to sell.
When turning to a home improvement company, be it for landscaping, roofing, or interior remodeling, you need to keep these four tips in mind. Doing so can get you tax breaks and improved ROI. You can also improve the value of your home by finding a reputable home improvement company. Good luck with your renovation!
