How Often Should You Renovate Your Home in Rhode Island?

Thinking about renovating your home but feeling like you just did it a few years ago? It’s a familiar feeling, one your humble blog writer constantly feels. And while a fresh coat of paint is a relatively quick and painless way to give any room a new look, repainting probably (definitely)  won’t solve the awkward kitchen layout the last homeowners DIY’ed, nor will it make that dank, 90’s era basement any less damp. So, how often should you renovate your home? As with most things in life, there are several things to consider when deciding how often you should renovate. Keep reading for more information, or you can drop Red House Design Build a line, and we’ll be happy to get down to the nitty-gritty with you. 

How old is your home?

No surprises here, but one of the most significant factors influencing how often you should renovate your home is its age. If you live in a century home that’s never had any major renovations, well, that’s pretty impressive, to be honest. But if that’s the case, you should probably consider making some quality-of-life improvements, not to mention safety upgrades. Be sure to speak with a local historical society to ensure you don’t destroy or damage any historically significant parts of your home. Older homes often require more renovations due to long-term wear and tear, outdated systems, or simply obsolete designs that no longer suit modern-day life. 

However, just because a home was built in the 2000s doesn’t mean it’s immune to renovations either. More modern homes are just as susceptible to needing improvements due to changing trends, technologies, or even lower-quality craftsmanship. In either case, new home or old, if there’s something irking you, it’s best to talk to a professional to get more information ( like, perhaps, *cough *cough, Red House).

Your Budget and Priorities

Your budget is the second most important facet when determining how frequently you remodel your home. Depending on your resources, you may decide that tackling your renovation in small flurries of projects is a better approach to meet your needs and can help spread out the costs over time. Sometimes, this can be beneficial to your trusted builders, too, as holes in scheduling often crop up and are perfect for small-scale projects. 

On the other hand, you may prefer to stick it out and save up for a more extensive renovation that spans multiple areas. That’s ok, too, and can even help save costs in the long run. Make sure you give ample time for larger projects as contractors will often need to block out multiple weeks in their schedule to accommodate the build process.

Big Life Changes

Major life changes are another main driver in the frequency of home remodeling projects. At Red Hosue Design Build, most clients come to us with renovation projects because of big changes to their day-to-day lives, and understandably so. If your in-laws are moving in, expecting them to downsize to that third bedroom under your stairs is a difficult one. If kids have moved out to go to college, it may be time to get rid of that bonus room above the garage and turn it into a home office. Whatever the reason, if you know major lifestyle changes are on the horizon, it’s never a bad idea to take stock of your home to make sure it’s going to continue to meet all of your needs.

Resale Value

Another thing to consider is if you’ll be selling your home soon. Many new homebuyers appreciate the value of a recently renovated home that is up-to-date with modern systems and trends. Just like regular oil changes and tune-ups with your car, periodic updates to your home can help increase its resale value and attract potential buyers. If your home hasn’t been updated recently, it might be prudent to consider if you’re also looking to sell within the next five years. 

Personal Preferences and Style

Taste and style aren’t to be forgotten when deciding the right time to renovate (we are designers at Red House, after all). Some homeowners prefer that timeless look that will never go out of style and typically require fewer, smaller updates. Others, however, enjoy spicing up their home’s look more frequently to keep up with the latest interior design trends. There’s no right answer when it comes to taste and style, so whatever feels right to you (budget permitting, of course), go for it!

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Finally, many homeowners choose to renovate their homes to maximize energy efficiency and help contribute towards a more sustainable society. By investing in energy-efficient appliances, insulation, and renewable energy sources, upgrading your home to a more sustainable and ecologically conscious building isn’t just beneficial to you and your wallet; it’s beneficial to the planet, too. 

Look, we won’t lie: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should renovate your home. It depends on a whole slew of factors (see above). But if you’re unsure about when to renovate, consider calling a professional like Red House Design Build. Our team of seasoned designers, builders, and project managers are always happy to give you their professional advice. Contact us today to start the conversation!