My wife and I are about to start the process of remodeling a home we recently purchased. The house was built in 1977 and looks like it's been stuck in a time capsule since then. The remodel consists of a new kitchen, new master bath, new secondary bath, new floors, paint, demo'ing some walls to open it up and a few other items. Not taking it down to the studs but we're in that ball park. Would love to add a covered back patio as well. (With a fire place if I'm really greedy)

My question for those that have built or renovated a home:

What have been your favorite things you've done to your space for the money?

What are some things you wish you could do differently?

What did you splurge on you wish you wouldn't have?

What did you not splurge on that you wish you would have?

We have a budget I am going to stick to (with contingency money figured) but there's a lot of moving parts and we want to pick our spots.

Budget that contingency around 30% and put aside $15/sf of the entire house sf for new stuff when you're done. Sounds like a lot but it's real.

Is this a flip, STR, LTR, your weekend property, or your primary residence?

secret/hidden doors

This would be below subterranean escape routes in my opinion.

It'll be my Primary residence.

topher06 said:

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This would be below subterranean escape routes in my opinion.

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how are you going to access your subterranean escape route if you put the hidden door below it?

hutch012 said:

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It'll be my Primary residence.

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If you plan on living there for 10 years or more, then don't stress out too much about colors and finishes, because they will almost certainly be outdated by the time you sell anyway.

In the house I built in 2005, I wish I'd had spent the extra money to put in metal ballisters on the stairway. But back then, I didn't know if that was going to really catch on, or become outdated like the Spanish style. I guessed wrong, but saved some money by going with the base wooded spindles. How does that help you today? IDK

My question for those that have built or renovated a home:

What have been your favorite things you've done to your space for the money?
Added an outdoor covered patio; refaced kitchen cabinets to shaker style (Which really updated things). Take the space you think you need for a patio and double it - i don't hear people say they have too big of a patio.

What are some things you wish you could do differently?
I would go back and add tongue and groove ceiling. It was expensive but it looks exceptional and wish I had bit the bullet. The T1-11 we installed looks good (with a woodscapes paint), but it's definitely not ideal.

What did you splurge on you wish you wouldn't have?
Nothing that I can think of.

What did you not splurge on that you wish you would have?
See above on ceiling for patio.

We have a budget I am going to stick to (with contingency money figured) but there's a lot of moving parts and we want to pick our spots.
I would suggest planning very well (think of everything). For example, if doing a patio, think about utilities that may need updating / replacing before you put down a slab, think about flower pots / sprinkler system to water, running conduit under driveways, etc. Also, GC out things yourself - you'll learn a ton and probably get the quality you desire. It may take a little longer, but I'm happy I did all the GC / bids. Yes, it's work, but I saved probably 25% by doing it.

Also, I would really reconsider a fire place on the patio. Talk to some architects and get their take, but the feelings were mixed and I believe a lot of folks don't use them as much as they thought they would. Just my opinion.

SnowboardAg said:

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Also, I would really reconsider a fire place on the patio. Talk to some architects and get their take, but the feelings were mixed and I believe a lot of folks don't use them as much as they thought they would. Just my opinion.

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Agree with this. We considered one, but I talked to the 3 neighbors I know who have one and combined I think theyve used it 5x. Doesn't put off that much heat, lots of smoke depending on orientation, and messy. Also, my mother-in-law's patio chimney shares a wall with a bedroom and they have had numerous leaks and water damage coming from the chimney. I don't think it's worth the effort or cost.

outdoor fireplace is pretty expensive to build and you need to consider how often you are really going to use it. A fire pit would be a good compromise.

We are in the process of doing a full remodel on a 1970 ranch. It doesn't have a fireplace so we are putting in a Heatnglo gas (propane actually) fireplace because my wife really wants that. The bathroom remodel will have a shower and separate soaking tub.

Our biggest upgrades are energy related. I really think energy costs for homes are going to skyrocket in the coming years. We replaced all of the windows and doors with low-e energy efficient units. Replaced the tank water heater with a gas on-demand unit, and added insulation in the attic. Most homes built in the 70s had little to no insulation. Ours had R13 in the attic. We've replaced or added insulation for at least R30. Our new roof is a light colored standing seam metal roof which should help reflect heat rather than absorb it. We also replaced the AC/furnace with the latest high efficiency units and replaced all of the duct work. My place is already set up to add a propane backup generator pretty easily. You might consider where you would place one and get the connections set up now even if you don't actually install a generator.

The house is pretty small so I replaced the garage door with an insulated door, added insulation in the attic over the garage, and had an AC duct added to the garage that we can open up and manage the temps in the garage to give us a flex space for a gym or to work on DIY projects.

Finally, we added insulation in the interior walls around the master bedroom and the laundry room for sound deadening.

hutch012 said:

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My wife and I are about to start the process of remodeling a home we recently purchased. The house was built in 1977 and looks like it's been stuck in a time capsule since then. The remodel consists of a new kitchen, new master bath, new secondary bath, new floors, paint, demo'ing some walls to open it up and a few other items. Not taking it down to the studs but we're in that ball park. Would love to add a covered back patio as well. (With a fire place if I'm really greedy)

My question for those that have built or renovated a home:

What have been your favorite things you've done to your space for the money?

What are some things you wish you could do differently?

What did you splurge on you wish you wouldn't have?

What did you not splurge on that you wish you would have?

We have a budget I am going to stick to (with contingency money figured) but there's a lot of moving parts and we want to pick our spots.

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Built a covered back patio with wood burning fireplace about 16 months ago. It's been fantastic - we are in Houston and you can burn fires about 8 months out of the year. Had my last fire in early May and will be firing up again as soon as we get evenings in the 70's. The sweet spot for fires are Temps between 50's - 70's.

I basically spent all fall/winter/spring on my back porch burning wood, watching college football and other sports. Wish I had done it ten years earlier. That reminds me - I need to order a wood delivery.