North Texas Real Estate Blog

Even though you like to tinker around your aging Southlake, Texas real estate, when it’s time to do substantial home improvements, please consult with the professionals.  Many of our mature neighborhoods of homes in Southlake deserve some important attention, it is true.  But many of us are unaware of the codes, building restrictions, or the best way to spend our remodeling dollars.

The Metroplex offers a wide variety of resources to assist the Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Trophy Club, or Colleyville homeowner to make the right decisions about upgrading his/her North Texas real estate.  To find a remodeling professional in your zip code, start on the NARI website.  The Fort Worth chapter lists both general members and certified remodelers in various fields.  The Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) oversees residential construction and remodeling.  These organizations and the Better Business Bureau should help you to hire bonded professionals who take pride in doing quality work.  Be sure that your contractor carries sufficient insurance coverage.

Looking at the options to remodel the kitchen, bathroom, outdoors, or to turn a carport into a family room, these professionals can give you a realistic look at what you are in for.  First of all, after doing some homework by attending home shows, looking at pictures, and viewing other similar properties, you will need to decide what part of the house you are going to conquer. 

The contractors will help you to determine budget.  It costs about $40,000-$80,000 to redo the kitchen, $15,000-$40,000 for the bathroom, $70,000-$100,000 for an addition, $100,000-$150,000 for a master suite addition, and $5,000-$25,000 for a deck.  Maybe the first priority is actually to put up siding or better windows, but here are some pointers for the other areas.

The important thing is to wait until you have a good plan, not just for the placement of walls but for the choosing of all materials, before spending a dime.

Kitchen remodeling:  A small kitchen with outdated color schemes and older appliances is usually an automatic turnoff for a prospective buyer.  Consider installing new cabinetry, countertops, appliances and possible removing part of a wall to open up the area.  People are installing granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, and other upgrades for themselves and for a quick good impression.  Many are choosing to put in kitchen islands and built-ins.

Bathroom remodeling:  New tile, flooring, and plumbing fixtures add a quick fix to the bathroom.  However, other popular upgrades include new shower stalls and luxury amenities like fancy showerheads, benches, and heated floors.  Some people are turning their bathrooms into mini spa rooms and spending more time relaxing in them.

Room additions:  Additions can get a bit more complicated.  Many people think that they can just enclose a paved area and that is not the case.  Living areas need to be girded underneath.  That means removing the old pavement before starting the project.  If you already have space in your home, consider removing all extraneous possessions and redecorating the existing spaces to fit your growing family.  Multifaceted wall units can turn an area into a multipurpose room without the expense of a remodel.

Outside:  Outdoor living areas and outdoor kitchens are all the rage.  If you go beyond professional landscaping, new decking and siding, add rock fireplaces, heated sitting areas, and a full kitchen.

As a rule of thumb, double or triple you estimated costs and you’ll be right on the money.  It is actually less expensive per square foot to buy a home than to come out ahead with some remodeling projects.