When You Should Invest in New Floors
If you’re living in a home with floors that have seen better days, then the following is very important as your flooring, when in good shape, can add tremendous value to your home. It’s no surprise that potential buyers are more likely to be dazzled by brilliant floors that look new as opposed to those that are outdated or scratched. The reason isn’t just aesthetics, but also the fact that floors in rough shape or outdated usually translate to extra work and expense to potential homebuyers.
Increasing Value with Your Existing Floor
Depending on the condition of your current floor, you may not need a complete overhaul. Carpets can be professionally cleaned and floors can be spiffed up with a good cleaning as well. If you have hardwood that is worn or has obvious scratches, then stripping & sanding the floors and having them re-stained is cheaper than installing new floors while giving you the look of practically new floors. In the case of laminate that may have gaps or some water damage; repairs are fairly easy as long as you are able to get your hands on pieces in the same color and style for an exact match. Tile can be made to look new again with a good grout scrub or even by using one of the many grout stain pens on the market.
When You Should Invest in New Floors
Any floors with very obvious damage or stains are going to result in lost sales or low-ball offers and the same goes for obviously outdated flooring. For instance, if you have broken boards or orange shag carpet, then you need new floors. Most buyers, unless looking for a fixer-upper, aren’t going to want to buy a home that requires new flooring. With older homes and townhomes, carpet and tile styles and colours can really date a home, so those should be replaced. Broken floor boards and tiles, as well as water damaged floors will also need replacing if you want to increase the value of your home.
Some Final Tips to Save You Money on Flooring
If you’ve decided to invest in new floors, consider the following to help you save money while increasing your home’s value:
- Check home improvement store flyers for sales and discounts
- Ask your contractor if he gets a discount on materials
- Check out flooring warehouses and clearance centers
- Check Craiglist and Kijiji listings for people and contractors selling extra stock