Categories Blog, Painting, Tips

Most Valuable Home Renovations

Thinking of updating your home and wanting to get the most value for your dollar? Here are some of the most valuable updates you can do! 

Bathroom Renovation 

Updating your bathroom can be a relatively inexpensive project that can have a big return on investment. Adding a shower to a half bath or just adding a half bath in general can increase a home’s appraised value immediately. Even a new coat of paint with a fresh vanity and new hardware can increase your home’s value. Try new tile floors for a worthy payoff.  Bathrooms are a major selling point so make sure to show them some love! 

Kitchen Remodel

All the magic happens in the kitchen, so it makes sense that remodeling it would be one of the most valuable home renovations. Homeowners can recover over 50% of a kitchen remodel upon selling the home! New appliances, updated countertops, and updated cabinets are worth the investment. You don’t  need to replace the cabinets, sanding and adding a fresh coat of paint can give your kitchen a whole new look without breaking your budget. Even a midrange remodel has a significantly high return on investment.

Deck, Patio, or Porch Addition

Everyone loves a nice patio or deck where they can spend those warm summer nights. If you spend $11,000 on a 16×20 pressure treated, wooden deck you can expect to get $10,000 of that back upon resale. Adding an outdoor addition is a smart investment that will give you almost a 100% return. 

Basement Remodel 

A basement remodel can cost a bit over $50,000, but you can expect to recoup almost 90% of that cost upon resale. Usable living space is a major selling point, so if you are looking to add immediate value to your home, think about a basement renovation. Basements can be notorious for water damage, so depending on where you live you may need to restructure some outside fixtures such as drains, gutters, or even re-sloping the yard to prevent water from getting into your newly finished basement. 

We would love to be part of your renovation journey. Make sure to check our list of services our team at McDonald Contracting offers to see what we can do to help you increase the value of your home!

Categories Blog, Tips

Home Maintenance: Spring To-Do List

The warm weather is in the air! With the arrival of spring you may find yourself outside more. Now is the time to make sure your home is regularly maintained to ensure the transition between seasons is as smooth as possible. Of course, many people will start with spring cleaning to kickstart the new season, but here are some things we recommend adding to your to-do list this spring to maintain your home!

Check out our Spring to-do list below. Don’t have the time to maintain your home? Check out our Preventative Home Maintenance Services.

Categories Blog, Tips

10 Simple Ways to Winterize Your Home This Fall

Worried about how the winter months will affect your home this upcoming season? Here are some simple ways to make sure your home is ready for the cold months ahead!

  1. Replace your windows to keep the heat in 
    • Let us help you make sure your heat bill is not crazy expensive this winter by getting your windows replaced to keep the heat inside. There is nothing worse than not being warm in your own home so let us help make sure you stay cozy inside this winter.
  2. Repair your roof to prepare for the winter weather
    • Living in New England means unpredictable weather. To stay one step ahead of the weather this winter, repair your roof to keep the snow, rain, and cold out.
  3. Check the gutters
    • Prevent ice build-up in your gutters by cleaning them out before the weather starts to get too cold. Using our preventative maintenance service, we will clean your gutters out twice a year to stay ahead of the build-up.
  4. Clean exterior vents
    • To make sure your exterior vents are clean and working as well as they should be, make sure to get them cleaned before this upcoming winter.
  5. Tune up your heating system
    • Ensure your heating system is working properly by servicing it two times a year. One being before this upcoming winter season!
  6. Seal the cracks 
    • Seal the cracks around the exterior of your house to make sure the heat doesn’t escape.
  7. Check your smoke detectors
    • House fires are more common in the winter months so it is important to know your smoke detectors are working properly and have new batteries.
  8. Protect your pipes
    • Frozen pipes can cause many issues for homeowners. To prevent this, allow a small amount of water to fall from your faucet to keep the water moving.
  9. Replace filters
    • Changing out the filters in your heating or cooling system in your home can improve the efficiency of the system, saving you money in return.
  10. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans
    • To push the hot air down, reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to recirculate warm air throughout your home.

These are just some of the simple ways to winterize your home! Be sure to check out our preventative maintenance services on our website to pick the right package for your needs!