Finishing your basement as local code allows can be done in different ways, and if you can manage without completely altering the structure — such as adding walls or creating extra rooms — it is possible to come out a winner. What about the bathroom? What about the bathroom indeed. A necessary component of any household is the toilet, and a home without one wouldn’t be much better than a particularly fancy tent. Renovating a bathroom could cost you only a little or a fortune, depending on your plans. Like upgrading kitchens, while a modern, efficient bathroom is expected, do not expect to increase the appraisal or sale value of the home substantially with a large investment. Replacing the floor covering or the wall color will not cost as much as a full-blown renovation that replaces and rearranges the toilet, the sink, the shower or bathtub, or that expands the room size. Installing a spacious doorless shower, a hot tub, or an extra-large vanity topped by an over-sized mirror in addition to new walls, flooring, and lighting will put your price tag on the opposite end of the spectrum. Do you need a new toilet? Get it. Is your vanity too small? Then replace it. Is the tile cracked or linoleum peeling back? It is time for a floor makeover. Be practical. You do not want potential buyers cringing at the sight of an old toilet or rusted shower head, but you want to recoup as much money as you can at the sale. If you overspend on luxuries, you may still make the sale, but not at the full amount needed for you to at least break even for your efforts. The point of much of this walk-through is that making permanent alterations that are extremely unique to you can cost you at the sale. Prospective home buyers won’t necessarily view the expensive solar system painted on the ceiling in the dining room as a benefit, and some may even want to have it removed at your expense for them to consider buying. If you’re upgrading an older, 100+year-old home to include basic systems such as air-conditioning or upgraded electric or if you are updating the ductwork or entirely replacing the heating and air units in a more recent model home, do not expect home buyers to be willing to pay the cost or for the appraisal to reflect what you spent.
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