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Home Makeovers are Not All Created Equal

Angela Poirrier

May 11, 2015
Home makeovers are not all created equal. There are different projects, budgets, timelines and goals involved. Our Acadian House team has seen the entire spectrum.

How to approach a home makeover has a lot to do with your stage of life and your desired outcome. Any makeover can change the way that your home looks and feels. A new coat of paint can change the mood and impression that a room gives. A new appliance can change the functionality of an entire kitchen. And an extra 50 square feet can take an ordinary bathroom in to a coveted oasis. Before you have renovation on the mind, think about what you need to change to achieve satisfaction with the space. That can help you to determine if the project is a quick weekend fix or a total gut job.

The Update

A home update is usually the default for two reasons. The budget is tight or the homeowner is trying to sell the property. This is usually a facelift. It is enough of an investment to make the home more aesthetically pleasing but not enough of an investment to make a real change to the function and layout of the home.
Consider the update someone who falls in the DIY category. This gives you instant change rather than waiting and saving for a larger renovation budget. Or if the homeowner is selling, an easy update could result in a quicker sale or higher sale price because the purchaser sees the property as requiring less work.
Items that usually fall in the update option are:
  • Paint
  • Counters
  • Hardware

The Renovation

A true renovation is done when the homeowner loves their current location but needs to make changes to the home for functionality. This could mean that the family has added children or the children have moved out of the home. Either way, the family structure has changed and the house needs to change accordingly. A renovation is usually called for when the home is about 20-30 years old.
Items that usually fall in the renovation option are:
  • Cabinets- both kitchen and bath
  • Hard surfaces- including counters and floors
  • Appliances- efficiency in both function and performance

The Dream Home

These are the homes that the majority of us see in magazines, Pinterest and fanaticize about. But if your budget allows it, Acadian House can make it happen. A dream house is typically build from the ground up or includes a substantial addition because dream homes usually feature an abundance of square footage. That square footage is highlighted in the functional spaces like the master bedroom, kitchen and entertaining spaces.
Items that usually fall in the dream home option are:
  • Multiple appliances- think about traditional oven paired with a steam oven and warming drawer.
  • Multiple functional areas- in a kitchen having a prep area, a beverage area and a display area. Think beyond the traditional triangle layout.
  • Luxury finishes- this would be something unique and not every day. It could be custom.
If you want to look through a variety of home makeovers, visit our HOUZZ profile.
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