5 Things You Need to Know about Home Renovation in Utah
Are you a homeowner in Utah? Or are you hoping to buy a house in Utah sometime soon? If so, you likely already know that home renovation projects (and costs) are an important consideration as a homeowner.
Navigating home renovation projects in Utah takes some planning and research for things like permitting, setting a budget, and figuring out how to best invest in your home.
As a Salt Lake City based business that has been working in Utah homes for over twenty years, these are our recommendations on the top five things you need to know about home renovation in Utah.
Does Utah require building permits for home renovation and remodeling projects?
Depending on the size and scale of your home renovation project, you may need to get building permits from the city or county government before you can begin remodeling.
Smaller projects like painting your home or installing new carpet or flooring generally do not require building permits. However, building permits are usually required for more full-scale remodeling projects on Utah homes. Are you adding on more rooms to your home or building up another level? If you’re square footage, you’ll probably need a building permit. Even seemingly smaller projects like adding in a new door or window, or knocking down a wall may require permitting.
If you’re caught without a building permit and it’s found that your renovation project needs one, you could acquire an expensive fine. Your best bet to prevent this is to work with a licensed contractor who knows the in’s and out’s of permitting in your specific city or county in Utah.
Figure out your home renovation budget
Another important aspect of home renovation in Utah is figuring out your renovation budget. Take some time to assess your finances, and be honest with yourself about what you can realistically spend.
As you decide on a budget, take into consideration everything that needs to be done to your home. Are you looking to complete smaller renovation projects or full remodel? The average cost to renovate or remodel a Utah home is around $47,000.
Single room renovation projects on a Utah home’s bathroom or kitchen can range from $10,000-$25,000. However, a full remodel on a Utah house can cost up to $150,000 or more. However, it is important to note that remodeling your home adds significant resale value, and Utah homeowners can make between a 40-80% return on this investment upon sale of the home.
Note: if you’re looking to buy a house in Utah, make sure to include any potential renovation costs in your list of home buying expenses. This will ensure you get a more accurate estimate of how much your home purchase will cost!
Prioritize which home renovation projects are most necessary for your Utah home
Once you know your home renovation budget, you can strategize which tasks you can afford to begin now and which remodeling projects you’ll need to save up for. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are some of the most common home projects Utah residents take on. Intuitively, this makes sense, as these rooms are some of the most important ones in the home.
Even if you’re considering buying a Utah home that needs kitchen and/or bathroom remodeling, plan on starting those projects soon after you buy the house. Having a working kitchen and bathroom makes a world of difference!
Another important home renovation project to prioritize is fixing or replacing your home’s roofing. The roofing on Utah homes needs to be replaced every 20-30 years. If you live in an older home or have owned your home for more than 10 years and haven’t replaced the roofing yet, this may be your next renovation need. At the very least, call a roofing contractor to inspect your roof for any issues.
Which home renovations and remodels have the best return on investment in the Salt Lake City market
When deciding which home renovation projects to prioritize, it’s helpful to consider not only what’s most important to you functionality-wise, but also what will give you the best return on your investment.
The 2020 Cost vs. Value Report has analyzed the return on investment that is possible from various home renovation and remodeling projects in the Salt Lake City market.
One of the best investments Utah homeowners can make on their homes is a minor kitchen remodel, in the mid-price range (versus those that are the cheapest or most expensive). This includes buying energy efficient appliances, installing new counter tops, and switching out old cabinet and drawer fronts for updated ones.
In Salt Lake City, Utah, renovating the exterior of your home pays off extremely well. Projects like replacing your home’s siding, installing stone veneer, replacing roofing, installing a new garage door, and replacing the main entry door all have a high return on investment.
If you’re thinking of selling your home sometime soon but want to update some features of your home first, these projects are all great options that will increase your home’s selling value.
Schedule an air duct cleaning after your home renovation projects are done
It’s probably no surprise that home renovations and remodels can leave a lot of debris behind. But did you know that your home’s air ducts are one of the most likely places that construction debris will get stuck? As a Utah-based air duct cleaning company, we’ve seen thousands of Utah homes with air ducts clogged with old construction residue.
We recommend having the air ducts in your Utah home cleaned after you’re finished with your home renovation projects. This will ensure that no dust and debris gets stuck in your vents, so you and your family can breathe clean air!
Contact Crystal Clean Vents to schedule your air duct cleaning or free air duct inspection.