3 Renovations Ideas for First-Time Home Buyers in Ottawa

If you’re buying a house for the first time, you may need to make some changes to feel at home. What are the best renovations for boosting property value and increasing convenience? While every residence has different features, you can’t go wrong by upgrading your flooring, hiring interior painting services and transforming the bathrooms.

1. Replace the Flooring

Flooring plays a significant factor in value and convenience, and it can also set you up for future savings. There are dozens of options, allowing you to balance aesthetics, comfort and durability.

For example, wood floors are incredibly durable, lasting over 100 years with proper care. They’re also gorgeous and can increase your home’s value by up to 5%. However, they require sealing every three years or so and are vulnerable to water damage.

Carpet is another common choice due to the luxurious feel and value boost. The downside is that carpet holds dust, mites and pollen, making it a nightmare for people with allergies. It also needs replacing every five to 15 years due to the following:

• Wear

• Pet stains

• Spills

• Fading

Are you interested in affordable flooring? Vinyl is one of the cheapest options and comes in a wide range of colours and patterns — you can even find vinyl that mimics wood. It’s also easy to care for and won’t stain. The biggest issue is longevity — it usually needs replacement after 10 years, though you may get 25 out of higher-quality (read: more expensive) options.

If you’re still unsure which flooring suits your needs, flooring experts can help. Local professionals can estimate installation and maintenance costs, introduce you to wholesalers and advise you on the most popular flooring options in your area.

2. Apply a New Coat of Paint

Repainting is one of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to transform your home. Colour fades over time, especially for exterior surfaces, as ultraviolet radiation breaks down pigments. A new coat of paint makes your home like new, increasing curb appeal.

Paint is also a great way to bring your residence in line with design trends. The chic colour of 10 years ago may look tacky today or just not match your style. Creating an accent wall or choosing a bright shade can make rooms look completely different.

As far as home renovations go, painting is one of the fastest, especially if you hire professionals. They can prepare the space, paint and clean up within a few hours or days, depending on the extent of the project.

3. Update the Bathroom

Bathroom updates can increase property value by as much as $15,000, making them a wise investment. Additionally, you can add features that make it more convenient, such as double sinks.

What if you don’t have the funds to remodel from the ground up? You can still make a significant impact with single renovations:

• Install a walk-in shower

• Replace the bathtub

• Redesign the lighting

You can also make several small, low-cost changes, such as updating the fixtures. Upgrading the showerhead is another excellent choice since it adds a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.

If you have a small bathroom, a handyman in Ottawa can advise you on the best way to use the space. Some design tricks can even make the room feel bigger.No matter which renovations you choose, the team at Handyman Connection can help. We can handle a variety of projects, including flooring removal and installation, storage solutions and plumbing repair. As a result, you don’t have to worry about coordinating work from different contractors. Our experts are dedicated to delivering first-rate results and are proud to serve local homeowners. Call us or contact us online to get an estimate.