From Starter Home to Dream Home: Waco's Ultimate Home Remodeling Guide
There are a multitude of reasons to buy a fixer-upper in Waco, TX. Typically, fixer-uppers are priced lower than a turnkey home, allowing you to turn a starter home into your dream home. Rather than taking on the previous owner’s style, you can design your starter home according to your own tastes and style.
At Jim Bland Construction, we believe in remodeling Waco homes and turning them into personal havens. We've put together some budget-friendly home makeover tips to inspire you to remodel your Waco fixer-upper.
Decide Your Budget First
Before you begin any remodeling projects, it’s important to set a budget. While you’ll need some flexibility in your budget, depending on the circumstance, it’s best to have a number written down to avoid budget creep.
Start researching tools and materials that you will need to purchase, like the cost of paint and accessories or the type of flooring you wish to install. Use these numbers to build out each project and decide how much money you can put towards each one. A solid number is essential for avoiding the dreaded “money pit.”
Budget-Friendly Home Makeover Tips
When you first purchase a fixer-upper or starter home, you’ll probably develop a long list of projects you’d like to complete. But how do you choose which ones to tackle first? Let’s take a look at some budget-friendly home renovation ideas that you can start right away in your new home.
Refresh Rooms with Paint
Scrubbing and painting your ceiling and walls is a great first step for turning your fixer-upper into a dream home. Cleaning off debris and dust from the walls helps create a smooth surface for new paint. You can choose new paint colors for the walls, giving you almost instant gratification once you start rolling on that new paint.
Install New Flooring
New flooring can brighten up any space and make your starter house feel like a true home. Luxury vinyl plank flooring costs about $5 a square foot, making it a beautiful and durable option for replacement floors.
Alternatively, if you buy an older home, make sure to check under the carpet. You may find perfectly preserved original wood flooring that you can have sanded and sealed, allowing you to skip replacing the floor altogether.
Landscaping
If your fixer-upper home has been neglected for a while, then the landscaping might need a little TLC. Consider pulling up weeds, trimming bushes, and laying new mulch or mulch alternatives. These tasks can help improve your home’s curb appeal and show your neighbors you care about your new home.
Upgrade Exterior
If your fixer-upper has vinyl siding, consider upgrading to newer vinyl. Not only will it improve the look of your home from the outside, but vinyl siding also helps insulate your home, keeps pests away, and protects your home from damaging weather.
Can’t afford new siding right now? Break out the power washer and, with a little bit of effort, you can power wash your home’s exterior, removing years of grime and dirt. This works well if you have brick or other siding as well. However, be careful not to damage your siding in the process.
Remodel Your Kitchen
Kitchen remodels can be pricey, but a working kitchen is essential for inspiring happiness and a healthy lifestyle. No one wants to cook delicious meals in a dingy, old kitchen. Upgrade your appliances one at a time if you need to, and consider painting or sanding your existing cabinets. There are plenty of ways to color-coordinate your kitchen with paint, and you could also add a new backsplash to match your kitchen colors.
If the cost of remodeling your kitchen scares you, consider that they have a solid ROI should you decide to sell later.
Choose Energy-Efficient Upgrades
When choosing which parts of your home to upgrade, always consider energy efficiency. If you can shrink your carbon footprint, the Earth will thank you. Choosing Energy Star-rated appliances can help you save money on your utility bills.
If you have the budget to replace some or all of your windows, you will have a leg up on improving your home’s energy efficiency. Windows are the biggest culprits when it comes to heat and cool air transfer. New windows are better equipped to keep your warm or cool air inside the home and prevent it from leaking outside.
Need Help With Your Fixer-Upper? Call Jim Bland Construction!
If tackling your fixer-upper is proving to be too much of a hassle, call on Jim Bland Construction. We are a local home remodeling company in Waco, TX, and have decades of experience helping homeowners turn their fixer-uppers into beautiful dream homes. We provide one-on-one remodeling consultations to help you decide which projects to tackle first. Looking to expand your new home? We can build additions as well! Check out our testimonials for many satisfied customers.
Give Jim Bland Construction a call today at 254-772-6508 or request more information online.