I have both short-term and long-term home improvement plans that include projects I need to do and projects I want to do. I’m planning on finishing the projects I need to do and waiting on the projects I want to do for later.
As always, it costs a great deal of money to work on the home and the projects requiring a contractor or someone else doing it will most likely be put off until the money can be saved up. The neat thing about some projects is that the long-term savings from energy and the increased equity of the home will make the improvements well worth it when it comes time to sell.
I just don’t want to get further in debt and any loan taken from the house, better be to improve the house. I don’t want to get in debt and increase the time needed to pay off the house than I have to. If I can pay off the house in 20 years and have it look awesome, then I’ll be happy. It is going to take a year and a half to pay off my current debt, so once that is done, I’ll start saving a lot more and should have money to start some of these longer term projects in two years.
Projects I Need Done
- Replace binds and add Curtains. (Short-term.)
I worry about people being able to see me and I like my privacy. I’m planning on a combination of binds and curtains. Any crack in the binds will be hid by the curtains. This allows me to walk around with very few clothes and not have to worry about some neighbor seeing me.
- Replace the plumbing with either PEX or CPVC. (Long-term.)
Right now, there is a lot of metal plumbing that needs to be replaced. I’m lucky in that the plumbing is located in one general area and shouldn’t require a lot of time and money to replace. I’m thinking of hiring a plumber, since I lack skills, discipline, and time to do it myself. I do also want it done right, the first time. I have several problems, I’m not sure where the sewage lines are and where the water supply lines are. I’m sure I can do most, if not all of the PEX plumbing, but if I have to do CPVC, then I’ll need to bring in a professional.
- Replace Windows with more efficient type. (Long-term)
I wish to save money with heating and cooling costs. I have 8 windows, 7 are double-hung and will cost around $200 to replace. This does not include installation costs and I’m estimating around $2500 for the windows and installation. The bathroom window is an awning and needs to be of a glass you can’t see through easily.
- Replace Kitchen tile. (Short-term)
The tile in the kitchen isn’t all that strong and is breaking up quite easily. I believe this is one of the first projects I’m going to do, because it should be cheap for the supplies and I can do it myself. I’m contemplating using wood locking tile, but mostly I’m going to use any material that will lay flat, be smooth and strong. It also has to be easy to lay and has to be able to be done quickly.
- Replace Living Room tile and carpet. (Short-term)
I was thinking of just replacing the tile and removing the carpet up to the entrance to the kitchen, but giving it some more thought, I think I should replace the carpet as well. I’ll use the same material as the kitchen to complement both. Since the flooring is going to be “wood” it should give a nicer appearance than the carpet. It is easier to clean the hardwood floor, since it only requires a bloom and mop/swifter. Given how frequently vacuums break and require replacing, I’ll rather spend the money on a bloom and mop than vacuum.
I’m unsure what I’m going to do for the entryway. I’m most likely going to do tile, since it will be strong than the wood and therefore take the beating that the entryway does.
- Replace fan in bathroom. (Short-term)
The fan is very loud and doesn’t work well. I’m planning on replacing it with a more efficient one. I can buy a really good one for around $100, so it is a cheap project that can be done within the next few months.
Projects I Want Done
- Replace Water Heater. (Long-term or 5+ years)
My water heater is fine, it works and that means it is currently not required to replace it. The reason I wish to replace it is that it appears to be old and I’m hoping for a more efficient heater.
- Extend closet doorways. (Long-term or 3+ years)
Currently, the closet doorways are, well just that. The problem is that it is really difficult to organize and get to stuff and it is restricting in that I can’t really do anything, because there is limited entry way into the closets and I don’t want to block anything.
The closets for the two bedrooms are located beside each other and there is a light switch to one side. Luckily, I can extend one closet towards the outer wall about two feet and the other closet towards the living room another two feet as well. If possible, I want to rise the top doorway ceiling another foot and put a shelf up there for long term storage. I’ll be able to put shoe organizers and more shelves into that little foot to a foot and a half area behind the light switch.
The lighting will be pretty simple, since the closet is open mostly into the room, then it can use the room’s lighting. I do plan on placing additional LED fixtures for every shelf and one long LED strip for the top.
- More cabinets in the Kitchen and perhaps an island. (Long-term or 3+ years)
The problem I currently have is the lack of where to put food, dishes, and pots and pans. I like that I have a lot of open space in the kitchen, but I’ll have to make sure after I put a table and the washer and dryer. I don’t want it to be too crowded in the kitchen.
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you may want to reconsider waiting to replace that old water heater. they can be very costly by using up a lot of energy. tankless water heaters are the way to go nowadays. in the very least put a timer on there so it will only heat the water every few hours, or whatever you set it to. otherwise it constantly heats and can cost around 20-30% more than if you did have one.
Well, looking at the prices, it will cost $1000 to $2000 for tankless water heaters for the house. I can either spend $200 each for the kitchen and bathroom sinks and I’ll then need to buy a house model to install for the shower and washing machine (unless I want to take a shower while washing my clothes and I’ll have to seriously hope not.
OR
I can get two house models and spend around $2000. One for the kitchen and bathroom and 1 for the shower and washer.
I think my problem is that I’ll be spending a whole lot towards upfront costs. A propane water heater only costs $300 or so and I can buy a smaller, more energy efficient one so that I’m not wasting a lot of energy to heat water that is just sitting there.
I will look into it further. I didn’t look at long term expenses, but I won’t be able to install either myself and if I’m having someone else do it, then it really increases the costs. I do like tankless water heaters, but they are really expensive in the short term. However, if in the long term I can save a lot on energy and natural gas, I might look into it further. However, the water heater only uses a small amount of natural gas in a month. I’m unsure if I can justify lowering that amount to a fifth and only save $2 a month. Over a year, that amount will only be $24 and over the life of the loan it will only be $480 compared to the $1400 to $2000 I’ll be spending for tankless water heaters.