Do You Need a Bigger Home or Can You Repurpose Space You Don’t Use?

Written by  //  February 21, 2018  //  Home Addition  //  Comments Off on Do You Need a Bigger Home or Can You Repurpose Space You Don’t Use?

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Sometimes families simply outgrow their homes and it becomes a major decision-making moment in life. Do you need a bigger home, or do you have space available which isn’t being used that you can repurpose for additional living space?

Sometimes it’s an attic that can make an amazing bedroom or family room, sometimes it’s a porch that can be closed in, and other times there is a huge common area which can be sectioned off. Only you know what you have to work with, but if you do have space which can be repurposed, here are some tips to help you accomplish much of it as a DIY project.

The First Step Is Intended Use

The first step in deciding between upsizing and repurposing space you have is thinking about how you intend on using that space. What do you need that extra space for? If it’s a children’s playroom or a nursery for a newborn child, you couldn’t very well repurpose attic or garage space unless you had older teens or adults willing to move rooms. On the other hand, if you are looking to build home office space, then those would be ideal locations because they would be situated well away from the noise and confusion that is part of everyday family life.

Realistic View of What You Can and Can’t Manage

If the room is already there and simply needs a new coat of paint or perhaps new flooring, this might be something you can easily do as a DIY project without the need to hire a professional. Just be aware of the fact that you will need supplies when painting or re-flooring a room, but those are easily found on sites like TRIMACO® that offer a full line of protective coverings, painter’s tape, and other things you may have trouble finding at local home improvement stores.

What you can’t do legally or safely, unless you are a licensed electrician, is rewire any electrical outlets. Before deciding whether you need to move or repurpose space you have available, be realistic about what you can and can’t do with what you’ve got to work with.

Comparing Cost of DIY vs. Professional Tradesmen

Then there are times when you ‘think’ it will be cheaper, in the long run, to do the work yourself. Actually, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes it’s actually less expensive to hire a professional than it is to try to do the work yourself, for a number of reasons, the first being costly mistakes. One mishap can cost you a small fortune. Also, sometimes professional tradesmen get enough of a discount on supplies that it makes up for the cost of labor. Finally, time is a major factor. If you need to take time off work to complete your DIY project, wouldn’t it be easier (and cheaper!) all the way around to hire a pro?

Sometimes the simplest solution is just to move into a bigger home, but the cost may be beyond your means. If you have space available which you can repurpose, give it a shot. Either hire a professional tradesman or do it yourself, but if you have the space, why not? The object is to save time, money, and hassle. Only you know your needs, so that’s what you need to consider.

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