There are a few things to take into consideration when deciding whether to do a full renovation project or just make a few smaller repairs.
First, think about why you are doing the project in the first place, says Cynthia Murphy, a certified kitchen and bath remodeler and co-founder of Murphy’s Design in Northern Virginia. “Consider whether fixing or renovating will make a more positive impact on your life,” she says.
Before you decide on a solution, determine what the problems are, adds Michael Sauri, owner and president of TriVistaUSA Design + Build in Arlington.
For instance, Sauri says, if you have a leak in your roof, but you would also really like new bathroom tile, it could come down to which is more pressing. “As long as it’s not failing, the bathroom tile is probably OK to remain the same if you can only afford to fix the roof,” he says.
This is why setting a budget is very important. “There is a lot of thinking that goes into how you’re going to finance a project,” Sauri says.
“Determine if you can truly afford to renovate the way you would like to or if you are getting caught up in ‘remodeling fever,’” says Murphy.
Another thing to consider is how long you are planning to stay in your home. “If you are only going to live there for another year then I wouldn’t recommend putting a lot of money into it,” Sauri says.
If the bones of the house are good and the rooms are situated in a way that you like, you can always refresh spaces with a fresh coat of paint, window treatments, a new piece of art, or a decorative rug.
On the other hand, if you are planning to live in your home for several more years — and would like to change more than one room — sometimes it could make sense to do a larger renovation project all at once, says Stacey Dobrovolny, principal designer and founder of Two Navy Lane in Culpeper. “That way, you are only interrupting your life and bringing in crews to your home once,” Dobrovolny says.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our March Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
