Home Remodels Worth Their Value

Many homeowners think that a renovation will automatically increase their house’s value if they decide to sell it in the future. But that’s not always the case. Personalized projects that are specific to the family or improvements that will require significant maintenance often end up discouraging potential buyers. Sure, you might think an inground swimming pool or a built-in aquarium might be a great idea, but the next owner of your home may not agree. So what are the best-renovating projects to reap high resale rewards?

Energy Efficiency Windows 

Homeowners who are old, young, first-time, seasoned, empty-nesters, or with young families all love a home that’s warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and easier on the wallet. According to the recent Cost Versus Value Report published by Remodeling Magazine, vinyl and wood window replacement nabbed 66% of their resale value in Hartford County. Windows are a fantastic investment and not only for their heating and cooling abilities. Replacement windows are easy to clean and they are excellent at reducing noise pollution. 

Kitchen Remodels

As the busiest and most used room in the house, kitchens tend to be a huge selling point in the real estate market, which makes an outdated kitchen a big no-no for a potential buyer. According to the same Cost Versus Value Report, a kitchen remodel is likely to get a seller more than 60% of their investment. What’s key is to stick to very neutral tones and a layout that suits cooking, eating, and gathering. Most people love an island that can be used for food prep as well as a casual eating space. Lots of storage will hit the mark too. 

Garage Doors

This may surprise you, but the highest-ranking home upgrade on the 2022 Cost Versus Value Report was a Garage Door Replacement which was valued at 98% of its cost here in the Hartford area. This means that most homeowners recouped nearly every dollar spent on the project when they sold their homes. Garages are an important feature in any house as every buyer wants to maximize their storage space. Plus, with more homeowners looking for additional living areas for home offices, giving the garage a little facelift isn’t a bad idea. 

Stone Veneer

Another big winner this year was adding stone veneer to the outside of a home, a project that recouped nearly 90% of its cost upon resale. For many potential buyers, a simple cosmetic upgrade that’s both timeless and upscale can really improve the curb appeal of a property. 

The “No Go”

With plenty of lucrative projects for the savvy homeowner, there is one area that generally takes a hit and that’s a bathroom. Adding a bathroom to a home can be expensive and the costs recouped is generally less than 40%. If you need an extra bathroom for your family and it makes sense for you, go for it. Just don’t expect the project to pay big when the “for sale” sign hits the lawn down the road.

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.

Mold on Siding, Not Just Unsightly

Here in this part of Connecticut and in most of New England, vinyl siding is a popular cladding option for many homeowners. Starting in the 1950s, it became a favorite aluminum replacement due to its low maintenance and high durability. With a wide variety of colors and textures, it continues to be a fantastic option, offering personalized style without having to worry about sanding, painting, or major maintenance. 

While vinyl siding is beneficial in so many ways, one complaint is the potential for mold growth, often on the north side of a home. To be clear, mold can grow anywhere, but the north side is the area that’s most susceptible because it gets the least amount of sun exposure. Constant shade, high vegetation, or anything that stops a house from getting regular sunlight is an invitation for mold to grow in that area, whether it’s clad in vinyl or not.

In addition to lack of sunlight, excess moisture is another mold inhibitor. The cause could be as simple as trapped rainwater that’s unable to drain properly. Another possible issue could be a faulty drain pipe or a gutter that’s dripping on the siding, causing constant dampness. Either way, a moisture problem is something you’ll definitely want to deal with as the water will continue to feed the mold, which will then spread. 

Another reason for mold growth on siding is a build-up of dirt, which is actually a food source for all different types of fungus. Something as simple as a dryer vent can cause dirt and dander to stick to the siding. Tree sap is also common and can be tough to remove. Homes on high-traffic roads tend to get dirty more easily as well. Any of this debris will quite literally make a meal for spores to feast on. 

So what can you do to keep mold at bay and ensure your vinyl siding looks great for years to come? Assessing your sunlight and moisture exposure is key, but what if you don’t want to cut down a tree or you happen to live in an area where moisture is a problem? A professional will be able to inspect your siding and treat the mold using a cleaner and blocker that removes spores and keeps them from coming back. It’s important to use a specially designed cleaner that is strong enough to tackle mold but not too harsh that it will damage the house. You also want to be careful not to use bleach-containing materials to not harm the vegetation surrounding your home. 

Once your house is cleaned, maintain your vinyl siding by assessing your home for moisture, treating leaks promptly, and keeping your gutters clear and free of debris. An annual inspection will help to ensure that any problems are dealt with promptly so they don’t get out of control. 

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.

Warped Siding is a Common Problem

A question I get from readers time and time again is about vinyl siding that looks “wrinkled” even when it’s new. Many people think warped siding is an environmental problem and that too much sun and heat or even the contrasting winter cold is what’s creating the damage. Little do they know that warping has very little to do with the weather and a whole lot to do with how it’s put on the home.

Let’s start with the real name of the problem. Siding that is wrinkling or warping is actually called “oil canning” or “stress buckling” and it happens when the siding isn’t installed properly.

All homes are made of natural materials such as wood, which expand and contract with seasonal changes. People love vinyl siding because it’s very low maintenance and offers fantastic curb appeal, but a DIY or inexperienced install can actually make a house look much worse, even with very new siding. 

Every house needs to expand and contract. While it might seem logical to nail vinyl siding tightly to make sure it doesn’t come loose, doing so will actually cause the panel to buckle because it can’t “breathe” with the house. That’s why most vinyl siding panels come with longer nail slots instead of small holes. It gives everything room to move and shift. 

Another possible siding installation pitfall is leaving too much overlap between panels. While you might think this creates a stronger bond, it actually restricts movement, causing the siding to stretch and then buckle in the same way.

Back to my reader’s question. Is there ever a time when the sun might cause siding to warp? The answer is not really, although I have seen damage from sunlight reflecting off an adjacent window. The only other thing that could cause an issue is your gas grill, so keep it far away from the house.

Once oil canning happens, the siding has to be replaced. Because the issue is installation, the product’s warranty is worthless and the manufacturer isn’t going to be responsible for the defect. While removing panels is pretty straightforward, it can be tough to get a color match if the siding is a bit older. 

These are all the reasons why it’s so important to work with a contractor who knows what he or she is doing. If you’re going to tackle this job on your own, make sure you do your research and know all the common mistakes that can be made. You don’t want all that hard work to result in a home aesthetic that’s anything less than perfect. 

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 http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.