Your home isn’t just the place where you live; it is most likely the most significant investment you will make in your lifetime. Whether you are planning to stay in your home for the long haul or you’re looking for new property investments to increase market value, making the right investment in your home is a crucial decision to make that can have a significant impact.
At Premier Windows, we understand the importance of making the right investment for your home to best suit your needs, lifestyle, and values. This guide will help you identify your investment goals, the types of investments you can make, and common mistakes that homeowners make, to give you the confidence and peace of mind in your investment decision.
Understanding Your Personal Investment Goals
Before you take the step to make the investment in your home, the most crucial stage in the process is to understand what your personal goals are. Are you looking to increase the comfort and functionality of your living space? Do you hope to increase its property value? Would you like to improve your carbon footprint by investing in more sustainable alternatives? These are a few of the most common goals, but it is best first to ask yourself what you are looking to achieve in your next home improvement journey. Here are a few questions you could ask yourself to help make the big decision:
- How long do I plan to stay in this home?
- Are there parts of my house that need updating? (That might be outdated, uncomfortable, or ineffective)
- Am I prioritising structural improvements or aesthetics? (or both!)
For example, if you are planning to sell your home in the near future, upgrading your kitchen or another aspect of your house guarantees a return on investment in 3-5 years. However, if you plan to stay within your family home, focusing on the efficiency and comfort within your house would likely be a more worthwhile investment.
Types of Property Investments
Once you have identified your goals, the next step is to choose the right property investment. Luckily, there is a selection of home improvement options available to suit your broader objectives, which can target a wide variety of home requirements.
Functional Improvements and Repairs
These investments are the most practical and essential upgrades that can be made to a home. Some common examples of this may include fixing a draughty window, a leaky roof, or a dysfunctional door. While these aren’t the most glamorous upgrades, they will ultimately help preserve the integrity of your home and help to prevent further costs down the line.
If you are looking to extend the life of your window or door’s double glazing, our five-star repair service at Premier Windows restores your existing units to their prime condition without the expense of a replacement.
Aesthetic Upgrades
These can range from updating the painting on your wall to an entire kitchen renovation. By improving the appearance of your home through a project such as this, you can not only improve your quality of living but also the property value of your home. Installing light fixtures or adding an extended living space, such as a conservatory or an orangery, can improve the amount of natural light entering your home and provide more space for your living requirements further down the line. In addition to being a smart move if you are planning on settling for a while, it will likely recoup the full cost if you sell your property later on.
Sustainability Alternatives
In today’s home improvement market, there is a wide range of options to choose from to improve the sustainability of your home. These can include investments like solar panels, energy-efficient double or triple glazing, and ‘smart’ thermostats to enhance your home’s functionality and its carbon footprint over time. Making additions to your home to improve your carbon footprint is a worthwhile investment, not only for the planet but also for lowering your energy bills as a result of improved thermal efficiency.
Common Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
Investments in your home, big or small, can be costly. This is why knowing what common mistakes are and how you could avoid them is a good thing to keep in mind when making an investment decision.
Hiring the Wrong Contractor and Lack of Planning
Before starting on your next project, it is key that elements such as outlining your budget, clarifying what you’re comfortable with in terms of unexpected costs, getting multiple quotes, and finding the right contractor for your project are identified. Hiring the right people for the job can alter the timeline, budget, and outcome of your project, so researching their references, licensing, and insurance is essential.
Not Exploring Permits and Regulations
Checking your local regulations for changes to structural, electrical or plumbing changes before starting any major project is crucial to guaranteeing a seamless home improvement process. Though occasionally overlooked, it can result in fines, delayed or in the worst cases, cause forced removal of the project.
Over Customising
Though it’s tempting to improve every aspect of your home to its ultimate potential and infusing your taste, over-customisation can affect the future marketability of your home to potential buyers. The key is to suit your home to your neighbourhood by matching the style, cost, and functionality to the requirements of your surroundings, which will more likely guarantee a return on investment. Additionally, sticking with neutral or timeless styles will appeal to a broader range of potential buyers.
Invest Smartly with Premier Windows
Making the right investment for your home, whether it’s for a short-term goal or a long-term investment, can add both personal and financial value. This is why our mission at Premier Windows is to provide the community with the finest double- and triple-glazing installations on the market. If you wish to get in touch with a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team, you can do so over the phone or via our contact form. Alternatively, you can start an online quote to be one step closer to your dream home.
