Reno of the Month: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

Ahh! The perennial question when it comes to making a decision to remodel or move.

For many Homeowners, the weight of making these decisions can be overwhelming, so they go the third route: do nothing! If you are ready for a change, but are having a hard time making a choice, consider these factors:

Moving

• You can’t remodel a location, so if you want to move to a different school district or for a lake view, you can’t renovate your way to that.
• Moving means not living in a construction zone. If you can’t stand the thought of living through a remodel but are ready for the work needed to move, maybe it’s time for a new home.
• On the flip side, moving is more costly than you might think. From realtor fees, closing costs, pre-sale repairs, new home makeovers, higher utility bills, homeowners dues to movers, it all adds up. Make sure you fully understand your numbers.
• Even in a new home, you probably won’t get everything you want. Unless you are building your own home, you’ll likely have to compromise on something on your wishlist — and may end up remodeling anyway.
• Moving can be stressful and time-consuming. If timelines don’t align, you might even find yourself renting before moving into your new place.

Remodeling

• Don’t expect to get the ROI you want on a remodel, especially in the short term. Although most remodels are a cost effective way to make your place your own, none guarantee 100% returns.
• Extensive remodels like Kitchens or Master Bathrooms don’t take a matter of weeks and a few thousand dollars (sorry, no TV personalities included either!). The 2019 Cost vs Value report is a great place to start to figure out realistic costs in this area.
• You can, however, remodel to your own needs and design tastes. Go for it and enjoy it.
• Lived in your home a while? If you don’t have cash on hand for a remodel, look into getting a home equity loan to pay for it.
• If you love your neighborhood, stay. Nothing makes up for your community — or a short commute.
• Remodeling doesn’t have to be stressful. Any professional design/build firm will do the heavy lifting for you and plan it out well in advance so you know exactly how long it will take, who will be in your home and make it as stress-free as possible.

So who is a typical client for a design/build firm like Synergy Design & Construction? Our clients usually intend to stay in their homes for the medium to long-term, or are living in their “forever home” and want to enjoy their beautifully remodeled space themselves.

They are looking for a full-service experience that prioritizes thoughtful design and quality construction by a firm who will manage the whole process for them from conception to completion.

Looking for a quick fix for resale purposes? There are other options that might be a better fit for your needs. Read Best Remodelers in Reston and How to Find Them for more information.

Our reno of the month features a Kitchen, Pantry and Mudroom remodel for a family who perfectly fit our client description. They love their neighborhood and their local school and didn’t want to move, so Synergy was the perfect match!

They were ready for an updated Kitchen with a better layout, more light, beautiful design features and lots of space for the regular events they host. With two elementary aged children to think about, additional storage was also a must which we provided in a newly created Mudroom for shoes, backpacks and sports equipment, all out of sight of the Kitchen.

Want to learn more about what we do and how we can help you? Read our frequently asked questions or get in touch. We’re always happy to help in any way we can.