The Five Remodeling Jobs with the Worst Returns on Investment

 It’s the first week of March and as spring fever starts to creep into many people’s minds, so too does remodeling projects. Spring is also known as real estate season, which means that many homeowners are looking for small improvements they can make on their properties to increase their home’s sale price.

Back in January, Remodeling magazine put out their annual Cost versus Value Report, where they compared the average cost for 30 remodeling projects with the value those projects retained at resale. When the report came out, I covered the project with the top resale value, which was added to the list for the first time and shot to the top with a 162.2% return on investment. That project was adding fiberglass insulation to your attic and I wasn’t surprised by the result. Adding insulation to your attic is easy, cost effective and will save you in heating and cooling bills for years to come. Plus with 75% of homes in our area deprived by under-insulation, it’s an investment that can make a home stand apart from the resale competition.

So we know what the best investment is, but what about the worst? The five projects with the lowest resale value in Hartford County might surprise you!

Number five is a family room addition. With an average cost of $96,298 in Hartford County, a family room addition offers an average resale value of under $48,000, making the cost recouped a mere 49.6%. 

Number four is a backup power generator. Many homeowners think these will come in handy, and often times they do, especially with our wild weather. But with a cost average of $13,337 and a resale value of $6,458, you’ll only end up getting back 48.4% of the money you put into it.

Bathroom facelifts are always popular on the list of remodeling for resale projects but don’t expect to make your money back on this one. With an average spend of $19,384 and a resale value of $9,318, that job will get you back just over 48% of the cost.

Well, what about the basement? A man cave or rec room might sound like a good idea, but it will only get you back 45% of your investment, according to the report. This is based on a spend of $75,063, which equates to a resale value of $33,750. Yikes!

So if these popular remodels occupy spots five through two, what could possibly be number one? Believe it or not, the worst return on investment would be the coveted extra bathroom, netting home sellers only 43.6% of the average $45,904 put into it. It’s a big job too!

With spring, and real estate season on the way, it’s a good idea to know what fix-it jobs will offer your home real value, especially if you’re in the market to sell. You can view the Remodeling Cost versus Value Report in its entirety by visiting remodeling.hw.net and filtering the report by region.

Watch for frozen pipes in wicked winter weather

After the last weekend, I found myself chatting with plumber friends and homeowners alike who spent their fair share of time trying to fix one of the casualties of arctic winter weather. I am talking about frozen pipes.

Frozen pipes aren’t just a pain to deal with, they can be expensive to replace. When the temperature drops, uninsulated or exposed pipes are can’t deal with the weather change, and the water in them freezes, which in the worst-case scenario will cause them to expand and the pipes to burst. This problem is particularly common in older homes where the pipes are more open to the elements, and they don’t have any insulation to protect them. Even though we’ve seen a relatively mild winter, a winter vortex like the one we had last weekend can throw us for a loop, especially if we’re unprepared. So if the weatherman forecasts another bout of icy temperatures, it’s worth being ready. Here are a few simple tips to protect your pipes and give yourself some peace of mind until spring.

1. Make sure all your outside faucets are covered and disconnect any garden hoses.
2. Try to keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher.
3. Allow warm air to circulate in the places you have pipes by keeping cabinets and doors open when it is really cold.
4. Wrap any exposed pipes in reach with pipe insulation, which is available at your local hardware store.
5. Close windows and air vents near pipes as cold temperatures and drafts will enable them to freeze more easily.
6. Insulate and air seal any open crawl spaces that can get drafty and cold.
7. If your basement temperature fluctuates with the outdoor weather, consider heating it slightly to protect the pipes that run through it.
8. If you plan on being away from home for any extended period of time, consider turning your water off.
9. If you have one pipe or area that’s consistently giving you problems, consider buying a heating cable, which can be attached or wrapped around the pipe with electrical tape. You can find a cable at your local hardware store or Home Depot, which will run you around $25 for a six-footer.

If you have a pipe that’s already frozen, use a hair dryer to heat the pipe back up and thaw the ice. Never use a hair dryer near standing water. Another option is to heat some water on the stove and soak towels in it. Wrap the towels around the pipes to regulate the temperature and thaw the ice.

If your pipe has burst, it’s time to call the plumber. But first, make sure you turn off your water at the main valve to avoid further damage. It might also be handy to keep a pipe patch kit on hand in the event your plumber is busy tending to pipes all over town and can’t get to you right away. It’s a temporary fix but will keep you in the clear until you can get some permanent help.

Give that water heater a tune-up

With frigid temperatures on our doorstep today, you might be one of many Connecticutians hoping that your hot water heater won’t leave you out in the cold.

The average lifecycle of a water heater is about eight to twelve years and they can cost anywhere from $300 for an electric tank system to well over $1,000 for a tankless energy efficient natural gas machine. Whichever way you go, when you’ve invested in a hot water heater, you want to make sure that your model is able to go the distance.

If you have a water heater that’s climbing up in its years, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you’ll get a good run for your money. Here are a few ideas:

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Don’t let this happen to yours. Drain your water heater at least twice a year to get rid of any buildup, which will prevent corrosion and increase the machine’s energy efficiency.  To do this, first turn off the unit and give it plenty of time to cool down. Then, using a garden hose and pump, drain the water into a bucket. If the bucket becomes filled with brown, sediment-tainted water, continue to refill and drain your heater until the water looks normal again. When you’re in the clear, you can disconnect your hose and turn the unit back on.

Keep your water heater at a steady 120 degrees and lower it down if you’re planning on leaving the house for three days or more. For every 10 degrees you decrease the temperature, you’ll save five per cent in energy costs.

Insulate the 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 warmer months.  

If you have a valve that’s leaking, make sure that the fittings are nice and tight. If that doesn’t work, you might have to replace the valves or fittings. You can find the parts you’ll need at a local hardware store – just don’t forget to shut off the water first!

Remember, working with electric or gas appliances can be dangerous. If you’re not familiar with how your unit operates or if you’re not comfortable with this kind of work, contact a plumber for a routine maintenance check.