Small budget remodeling ideas

Everyone understands that the money is not there for some people to build the home of their dreams or the large addition to accomadate the expanding family. But there are plenty of small budget remodeling ideas that should be looked at while you wait for your portfolio to rebound and the banks to start lending again. Below is the first idea, which will be followed up with more throughout the next two weeks.

Spruce up your front entrance! It starts with some very basic landscaping and ends with a new door or door and sidelight system. A study commissioned by Therma Tru doors and conducted by independent research organization TNS, asked 2400 consumers from across the United Statesto estimate the home prices based on the homes exterior appearence. The study found that an enhanced entryway can add as much as $24,000 to a home's perceived value. The added value was as much as five times the cost of the entry system. The new study also shows that an upgraded entryway can increase the perceived value of a home in the under $200,000 price range by $7,720, or 4.1 percent.

So what were the sample groups looking at when this survey was conducted? Each group looked at images of homes and was asked to estimate how much each one would cost, based on its appearance. One group looked at images of homes with standard 6-panel doors. This group of images was referred to as the "unenhanced" sample. Another group looked at images of the same homes upgraded with Therma-Tru fiberglass entry systems, including decorative glass, sidelites and transoms. This group of images was referred to as the "enhanced" sample. Both groups also viewed "control" homes, which were used to adjust for possible sample differences.
Essentially the homes percieved values jumped almost 7 percent with the new entry door systems.

Bottom line is a new entry system is one of many cost effective ways to ensure one of the best return on investments in the remodeling industry.

For more information on entry doors, please visit www.thermatru.com. For more information regarding the TNS organization, please visit www.tns-global.com