Home Upgrades To Reconsider

In my column last week, I talked about some of the renovation projects that will pay off if a homeowner decides to put their house up for sale. In other words, investing in home improvements such as new garage doors, vinyl siding, replacement windows, and stone veneer will end up coming close to paying for themselves when your house goes on the market. But what about the projects that don’t recoup their costs? According to the 2022 Remodeling Magazine Cost Versus Value Report, there are quite a few. Let’s take a look at the data. 

Upscale Master Suite Addition

If you’re thinking about upgrading your bedroom to a grand suite, make sure you’re going to enjoy it. According to the data, master bedroom additions in the greater Hartford area only recoup about 38% of their cost. Lavish bedrooms are very personal and a lot of people don’t spend much time in them, so if you’re about to go big with custom closets, extensive storage, and a grand master bath, know that the cost will be a lot more than the value.

Grand Entrance

Sure guests might be impressed with a gorgeous first impression of your home, but people are a lot more focused on useful spaces these days, so a fancy entryway might not go over so well in the real estate market. Here in the greater Hartford area, revamped entrances only recouped about 40% of their cost. 

Bathroom Additions

An extra bathroom might be a must for your family but it’s not guaranteed to pay for itself when you sell your home. In fact, a bathroom addition only recoups about 40% of its cost upon the resale of your home. Bathroom remodels do a bit better, netting about 50% of their cost in value. So if you’re thinking about how to maximize your bathroom potential, you’re better off renovating what you currently have instead of adding another.

Room Modifications

With people spending more time at home over the past few years, lots of homeowners have made modifications to make their homes more comfortable and accommodating. While I understand making adjustments such as a dining room conversion to a home office, these changes should be considered temporary. Permanent alterations of a standard room could be costly when it comes time to sell. 

We all want our homes to be a reflection of our unique style and a place that suits the way we live, but dramatic changes can be costly once you decide to move on. Keep that in mind when you’re taking on a renovation project and you’ll be sure to reap the benefits when you eventually sell. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ways to Save on Skyrocketing Winter Energy Bills

Holiday lights, Christmas trees, and colder temperatures mean that December is usually one of the most expensive months in terms of utility bills. Last month, energy companies said that the average Connecticut electric bill would jump around $80 per month per household come January, so now is a great time to start thinking about ways to save. 

One resource that not enough people take advantage of is an audit by Energize Connecticut. For a fee, a home energy consultant will come to your home and conduct a full assessment, covering your furnace and water heater, air ducts, windows, doors, and more. Plus they can offer rebates for upgrades and repairs. To apply, visit the EnergizeCT website and choose your service provider. 

If you’re not interested in an assessment but would still like to winterize your home to save, here are the top five spots I always check for air leaks and heat loss. 

1. Windows. Believe it or not, hanging heavy fabric drapes can help you retain up to 25% of the heat in your home. This is especially true with large glass doors that aren’t being used in the winter months. Also, be sure to check for gaps. Wooden window frames get warped with age and can lead to serious air leakage. For cracks smaller than a quarter of an inch, a silicone caulk will plug up areas where heat is escaping. Also, if you feel air coming through your single panes and the glass rattles with the wind, beef them up with some shrink film. This product can be found at any home supply store and can be cut to size. 

2. Doors. We don’t often open the windows in the winter, but doors are a different story. They let lots of air escape, but they can’t be sealed completely because we need to use them. I always suggest inspecting your door sweep to ensure it’s not damaged and replacing it if the bristles have come loose. A door snake or seal can also come in handy, which can be purchased at any big box store or even made at home with an old pair of stockings and some rice, beans, newspaper, or another filling.

3. Attic. Those of you with an attic hatch are likely losing a ton of warm air through its frame. We all know that hot air rises, so close off that hatch with an insulated box that fits over the entryway. It's a great way to retain heat in the home and you’ll still have full access to the attic to get holiday decorations, luggage, and storage items.

4. Water Heater. Insulate your water heater’s tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the summer months. 

5. Insulation. Most homes simply do not have enough insulation in the walls and attic, which is probably the number one contributor to sky-high energy bills. Insulation acts as a barrier against heat flow, helping to keep the warm air inside the house by slowing the flow and stopping the heat from getting outside. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that with proper insulation, the average home in our area can save approximately 16 to 50 percent in total heating and cooling costs depending on the age and condition of the home. Plus it’s one of the highest-rated home improvements in terms of real estate resale value. 

Rising energy bills will be no joke this season. Take a few steps to winterproof your home and the impending increase won’t hit your wallet as hard in the new year. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

The 2023 Interior of Design Colors of the Year

Every autumn, all the major paint brands and color influencers choose a specific shade that sets the mood for the year to come. Influenced by what’s happening in the world around us as well as trends in fashion, design, and pop culture, the “Color of the Year” is chosen to give people inspiration for how to design and decorate their homes. While each major brand goes its own way, there are sometimes overlaps or themes that really set the tone for the upcoming season. Here is a sneak peek of what we will soon see in homes across social media, according to the big names in color. 

Raspberry Blush by Benjamin Moore

Lovers of color are going to seriously dig Raspberry Blush, a bold orange-pink that is anything but understated. The most saturated of the terracotta hues that are dominating this year’s color charts, this one isn’t for the faint at heart. You can go big by using Raspberry Blush as a feature wall or pair it down as a supporting act through accent pillows and home accessories. 

Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams

Slightly autumnal with a unique mix of earth tones and blush pink, Redend Point is a major move away from the calming green/gray color that Sherwin-Williams went with for 2022. While it does offer a grounded feel, the warmer tones in Redend Point offer coziness that still works well all year round. I like this one for an office or lesser-used lounge room. 

Terra Rosa by Dunn-Edwards

Mixing medium shades of brown and burgundy to create a rosy pink, Terra Rosa works well with light wood tones and greens, or as an accent color to more neutral shades. After years of “millennial pink”, this hue feels much more grown up with a sophisticated nod to ‘70s and ‘80s interiors. 

Blank Canvas by Behr

Yes, it’s white, but more like the creamy cloud on top of a cappuccino. Behr decided to go understated this year, choosing a warm hue that offers a clean slate to create around it. Complementary to popular earthy tones, Blank Canvas is charming and cozy white that feels fresh and paves the way for a room to be able to change easily without having to go the full monty in terms of seasonal design transitions.

With colors trending away from cool greens and blues and more toward warm earthy tones, interior design is likely to look a lot different as we head into 2023. Will you be tapping into these new colors to refresh your home? I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.