What projects or improvements get me the most return?

What remodel projects or home improvements get me the most return on my investment?

The big three are:

1. Kitchen
2. Bath(s)
3. Painting (Exterior and Interior)

I would like to suggest, in this day and age of high energy costs, also from a buyers point of view, some additional items be added to the list. These are things I like to see or know about having been replaced in a used home with some age (over 5 to 7 years old). I can find no studies to show stat's on these, but I would feel more comfortable purchasing a home that had these items new, than one that had these items old/older.

1. Water Heater
2. HVAC System
3. Carpet
4. Roof & Gutters

When they get a used car ready for the lot, they replace the tires if needed, always clean the oil off of the engine, detail the interior and wax the exterior. But are the motor and transmission sound (strong), are the miles on the odometer the real miles, and does the air blow cold in the summer and hot in the winter?

When people get a used house ready for the market, they often paint the exterior and interior, clean or replace the carpets and spruce up the flower beds. You get an inspection that says everything seems to be working. But how old and inefficient is the water heater, the HVAC system or the roof? Is the new carpet of good quality and are the shingles on the roof in good shape? Does this house need gutters and are they properly installed?

Keep all your receipts and manuals to prove the recent replacement of a water heater, HVAC, roof or gutter system. These items will help the buyer to know you cared for your home and rest assured that the systems are new/ or "newish" and what brand and quality were installed.

My Grandma always shopped at Sears. She said, "I never mind paying more for quality, it saves me money in the long run." She was a wise lady and taught me that sometimes to save/make money you have to spend money. Going with the cheapest estimate is not always the best way to choose a contractor for these improvements. Check how long they have been in business and make sure they are going to still be around if you have issues. Are they licensed and insured? See if they have a BBB rating, check with the local chamber of commerce. For a list of other things to check before choosing your next contactor click here. I talk to hundreds of people each year and most have a horror story to tell, either first hand or second hand of some underhanded contractor.

Tell us your story, good, bad, or ugly. Change the names to protect the innocent and if we like you tale we may use it in our newsletter.