Tag: home remodeling

Homes, Hammers, and Happiness: Lake Home Remodeling and Its Impact on Mental Health

Posted on Linda Thach

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Photo courtesy of Ivan Samkov via Pexels

On Lake Homes Lifestyles, we’ve written extensively about the positive effects of lake living on mental health. Researchers agree that living on or near the water promotes the Blue Mind Effect, a meditative state that is characterized by a sense of calm, peace, and tranquility. This effect is believed to be a result of the soothing sounds and sights of water, which can reduce stress and anxiety, increase serotonin levels, and boost creativity. However, according to a report by the National Association of REALTORS®, mental health wellness goes beyond the Blue Mind Effect or simply enjoying oneself at the lake. Home remodeling, a multi-billion dollar industry, is shown to contribute to homeowners’ overall sense of happiness. The report calculated factors such as the homeowner’s sense of accomplishment, such as completing a challenging project or seeing a vision come to life, and increased enjoyment into a ranking system called the Joy Score.

Joy Score Methodology

The ranking system of 1 through 10, known as the Joy Score, is calculated by combining the share of those who were happy and those who were satisfied when seeing their completed project and dividing the share by 10. This score measures the emotional satisfaction and happiness homeowners experience after completing a remodeling project. Higher scores indicate greater joy. – NAR Remodeling Impact Report

Here are the top interior remodeling projects with the highest Joy Score.

Paint Job

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Ho via Pexels.

Whether you’re looking to update your dreary interiors with a fresh coat of color or spruce up a room with a lake-inspired accent wall, painting is one of the simplest home remodel projects. Many homeowners choose to tackle paint projects on their own, while others hire professional help. Nonetheless, this task ranks highest out of all projects, with a Joy Score of 10 points. So before you think about putting off painting that room, the joy and satisfaction that comes along with it might be a well-deserved return on investment. Here’s the Joy Score data analysis for the home interior paint project:

Paint Entire Interior Home

  • 88% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 83% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 65% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Paint One Interior Room

  • 73% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 63% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 67% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Add a New Home Office

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many office spaces became empty as many people were required to quarantine and work from home. This shift gave way to the rise of home office remodel projects. Even today, years after the height of the pandemic, these renovations and additions remain popular as homeowners strive to find a balance between work and home. Adding an office improves a home’s functionality and liveability and contributes to the homeowner’s overall satisfaction and happiness. Here’s the complete Joy Score data analysis for adding a new home office:

  • 91% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 73% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 55% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Add New or Refinish Hardwood Floors

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A once immaculately smooth hardwood floor will eventually lose its luster and become dull, riddled with scratches and scuff marks. Whether refinishing existing floors or adding brand-new ones, this renovation project is one of the most common for lake homeowners.

While costs vary depending on factors such as labor, size of the space, and materials used, replenishing hardwood floors typically have the highest percentage cost recovered. Moreover, 22% of REALTORS® recommend this remodel project before selling. Homeowners have reported tremendous satisfaction upon completing the project. Here’s the Joy Score data analysis for hardwood floor remodels:

Hardwood Flooring Refinish

  • 100% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 64% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 64% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

New Wood Flooring

  • 90% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 77% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 61% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Closet Renovation

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Whether adding more practical storage solutions or remodeling an entirely new space, redoing a closet can completely transform your home and your entire daily routine. 46% of homeowners reported that this upgrade provided better functionality and livability to the house, leading to less stress and greater satisfaction and happiness. The NAR ranks closet renovation with a 10 on the Joy Score scale. Here’s a complete Joy Score data analysis for closet renovation:

  • 79% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 61% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 61% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Insulation Upgrade

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According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), 89% of single-family homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. That said, insulation upgrades are one of the top projects homeowners turn to for home cost-saving measures. Furthermore, home insulation upgrades are among the top projects that yield the highest percentage of recovered costs. Regarding emotional satisfaction, insulation upgrade projects have a Joy Score of 10 and round out our countdown at number five. Here is the Joy Score data analysis for insulation upgrades:

  • 85% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
  • 62% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
  • 69% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project

Whether you’re tackling a straightforward project or a complete renovation overhaul, there is an emotional aspect that impacts the lake homeowner’s mental wellness. Are you ready to tackle your lake home remodel project? Check out these home improvement articles and tips HERE.

In this article, we included only the top 5 projects with the highest Joy Scores. Here is the entire list of projects on the Joy Score scale:

Want to learn more about the Joy Score? Access the full report HERE.

Insider Tips for Home Renovating

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Decor Demon.

It’s no secret that home renovating is costly. According to Home Advisor, remodeling an average 2,500 square foot home costs anywhere between $15,000 and $200,000. For lake houses, there are additional considerations like flood preparations. Between material costs and contractor fees, one fact is certain — it’s easy to break the bank. But savvy lake homeowners know the insider tips and tricks to keep costs low. Whether you’re renovating to increase property value or to improve your aesthetic, we’ve got advice on saving money and simplifying the process. 

For Deals, Timing is Everything

Kitchen renovation by Bill Samuel
Before and After of a kitchen renovated by Bill Samuel.
Marble backsplash tiles purchased from Floor & Decor.

Home renovating should not be an impulsive task, especially when buying large materials like flooring. “For big orders, you want to plan ahead,” says Bill Samuel, a Chicago-based real estate developer. From seven years of experience flipping homes, he’s an expert in finding the best possible materials at low prices. “Know when stores like Menards and Home Depot are running specials and buy within that window.” Besides staying vigilant about sales, he also advises buying discounted gift cards online. 

For the best department store sales, a holiday weekend is a good bet. This strategy helped Ashley Buchanan, senior project manager at Obviously and Birmingham-based homeowner who recently renovated her house. By capitalizing on Memorial Day Weekend sales, she never paid full price for any of her renovation materials.

Besides holidays, seasonality affects prices. Andrew, a home improvement contractor with Contractor Advisorly, says to buy just before winter. “That’s when contractors tend to have less business. During that time, they want to get as much business as possible and are willing to reduce prices for it.”

More than Lowe’s and Home Depot

Before and After of Mike Hillis’s bathroom makeover.
Materials from Habitat for Humanity.

If your lake home is in a remote area, a Lowe’s or Home Depot might be too far. But this doesn’t mean you can’t renovate. Is there a Habitat for Humanity nearby? This nonprofit sells used materials at lower prices. If brick and mortar are out of reach, contractors and woodworkers often post leftover materials, light fixtures, and furniture at a reduced rate on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. While it’s a lot to sift through, it’s a goldmine if you’re lucky. Also, be on the lookout for demolition sales from buildings in your neighborhood. 

Another penny-pinching tip for home renovating is to take advantage of overstock. “When contractors buy materials for a project, there will often be a lot of leftover material,” says Andrew. “Usually this material is left for the customer, but if you’re willing to negotiate, you can get reduced costs on materials in return for letting the contractor keep leftover material.” If possible, find an overstock store in your area. For instance, in Birmingham, AL,  Southeastern Salvage has plenty of surplus building materials. For a second home like a lake house, overstock stores are perfect — especially if you aren’t too picky about your designs. 

Start with the Foundation

Before and After of Ashley Buchanan’s den after new paint, flooring, lighting, and window treatment.

When remodeling a lake home, a complete overhaul isn’t necessary. To save money and time, focus on the most foundational components such as paint, light, and windows. The rest is just furniture, which you can always change. “The power of paint is the biggest one — it truly cannot be underestimated,” says Ashley. “Same with lighting. It’s crazy how a $40 light fixture can change the whole vibe of the space.” She also explains how her window treatment converted the living room from “clinical” to “balanced and intentional.” By adding a simple bamboo shade and tall curtains, the whole room shifted. “Now it’s my favorite room to hang out in, and it’s where everyone hangs out when they come over,” she describes. “It feels cozy, and it feels like me.”

When in Doubt, DIY

Before and After of Ashley Buchanan‘s washer and dryer area using DIY materials to transform the space.

In home renovating, installation costs often surpass the cost of the materials. So, if you can endure the time, effort, and physical toll required for installing your own materials, try the DIY angle. Ashley says that installing her own bathroom tiling saved at least a few thousand dollars. With the right tools and resources, it’s certainly doable. Plus, you’ll have complete control over the renovation process.

For most DIY projects, it helps to start with existing, free resources before consulting an expert. “YouTube is great for people looking to DIY,” says Bill Samuel. He recommends House Improvement’s channel with plenty of videos for homeowners looking to fix things like tile and drywall. With enough DIY experience, you’ll be just like Ron Swanson in this scene from Parks and Recreation. 

For more remodeling tips, check our previous blog posts on upgrades that can backfire, outdoor renovations, and the basics of flipping a lake home. Now let’s get to renovating! 

Remodel Your Basement for More Space at the Lake

Posted on Staff

When it comes time to do some lake home renovations, many homeowners consider improving the landscaping, updating the kitchen, and painting the walls.

But what about creating a new space for your family to enjoy, without having to add-on to the existing structure?

Look no further than your basement! Often, these spaces are used as overflow storage for old life jackets and knee-boards and are rarely utilized to their full potential, but these rooms provide a number of alternative options for use.

Though we may not have an exhaustive list of possibilities, this is a great starting place for getting ideas on just how you can remodel the basement at your lake home into a place the whole family can enjoy.

Additional roomsman working on drywall

Have you ever had too weekend guests at your lake home? The basement is a great space for adding extra rooms for just such occasions, and the best part: you don’t have to add-on to the existing structure.

If your basement space is unfinished, meaning it is not currently livable, Home Advisor estimates the cost of construction could range anywhere from $6,500 to about $18,500. Keep in mind though, price depends on the size of the space and extent of construction.

Construction for an unfinished basement includes such tasks as adding insulation, hanging drywall and installing electrical wiring and plumbing, for starters.

Remodeling your basement this way is often preferred because homeowners get to start with a blank canvas which requires little, to no, demolition.

Another option for adding additional rooms includes remodeling an already finished space, such as an unused game room.

TV/entertainment area

If your lake home has plenty of sleeping space, but is lacking in the indoor entertainment department, consider remodeling your basement into a second living room or media room.

Of course this means buying an extra sofa, TV and, possibly, a sound system, but creating this type of space in your basement is worth it to most homeowners.

Say it’s Sunday, and you’re hosting a football watch party at the lake. If your basement were a second living area or game room, the kids could go down and enjoy themselves while the adults have their own fun upstairs.

Or oppositely, remodel your basement into the man/lady cave of your dreams. Here in your lake home escape room, you can kick back, drink a cold one and enjoy living the lake life.

Investing in a projector system can also transform your basement from casual second living area to your very own home theater! Add a popcorn machine and mini-fridge, and you’re ready for the next rainy day at the lake.

Office to the max

If you work from home, you might be accustomed to working in a closet-sized office space.

But by remodeling your basement, you can build the home office of your dreams.

One option is to make the entire space into your office. With the whole room to yourself, you can consider lining the walls with bookshelves to create your own library. Or invest in a large table, and use the space as a meeting or conference area. How cool would it be to bring your clients to a beautiful lakeside meeting place?

If you have chosen to add multiple rooms in your basement, section off a space for your office. Provide for yourself a roomy amount of space, big enough for a desk, arm chair/sitting space, and shelving.

Painting the walls of your office a creamy latte color and adding deep colored leather and wooden furniture will produce a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere to your new work area.

Second Residence

Another idea for how to utilize your basement space is to turn it into a in-law suite for family weekends at the lake.

Many couples might agree that having a separated in-law suite downstairs, away from their own rooms, could be beneficial after spending the day out in the sun and out on the water.

Not only does this serve to give you and your spouse some often needed space, but providing this type of lodging may help to make your in-laws feel more comfortable and welcome.

It goes to show that you have put thought into the time they will be spending with you.

While your in-laws are away, or if they do not visit often, consider renting out your remodeled basement as an apartment or weekend vacation space.

Creating a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment, complete with a living room and kitchen, is a great way to bring in profit from your home while serving as a home for another family. This can also help offset costs of maintaining your lake home in the off-season.

5 Ways To Make Your Lake Home More Eco-Friendly

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Lake home being inspected for eco improvements“Eco-friendly” is more than just a buzz word or concept that applies to business properties, primary residences, and your day-to-day lifestyle living in a lake home.

You can also extend green practices to your lake home to improve air quality and provide a cleaner, cost-efficient environment for your family and pets.

A green vacation home can also help you reduce your impact on the environment by ensuring that you do your part to help conserve and preserve natural resources.

Here are five ways you can make your vacation or lake home more eco-friendly and shrink your carbon footprint.

1. Use Green Building Materials

If you are building a new vacation home, remodeling or repairing an existing property, use green building materials. These materials are composed of renewable, sustainable resources, compared to nonrenewable resources, and have one or more of the following attributes:

  • Recycled content
  • Natural, plentiful or renewable
  • Resource efficient manufacturing process
  • Salvaged, refurbished, or re-manufactured
  • Reusable or recyclable
  • Durable
  • Locally available
  • Recycled or recyclable product packaging

Employing green materials ensures that you have a minimum impact on the environment over the life of the product. By selecting green material and reducing your carbon foot print on the environment contributes to other environmentally friendly benefits that we will discuss including air quality energy efficiency and water conservation.

2. Employ Passive Solar Techniques

Passive solar design refers to a layout and material choice that can be used to take advantage of the sun or avoid the sun’s heat to provide comfort and conserve energy. The method has employed throughout the world as a way to create cost-effective comfort and does not require the use of solar panels.

Passive solar systems require the home to have south-facing windows and a thermal mass. Thermal mass consist of  dense materials, such as brick, concrete, stone or ceramic tile that are use inside a wall or in the floor. Located near the windows, the sun’s energy must shine directly on the selected material, which absorbs, stores and distributes heat.

The main objective of all passive solar heating systems is to capture the winter sun’s heat within the interior of the home and released the heat during periods when the sun is not shining.

Thermal mass materials can also be used to keep the structure cool during the hot summer months and to block this heat energy from entering the home and hitting the thermal mass–through the installation of an overhang on the exterior of the property or some other type of device or entryway.

After the sun has gone down and it is cool outside, your passive solar vacation home can be opened up to allow the cooler evening and night temperatures to be absorbed within the material.

3. Install an Environmentally Friendly Roof

Basically, the purpose of a roof is to protect you, your family and your personal items from the elements. However, there are a number of different types of environmentally-friendly roofing systems that can do more than protect you from, rain, snow, and the blazing sun.

You can choose a roofing system that helps keep your home cooler in the summer and help you and your family feel more comfortable and will rely on the air conditioner less.

Eco-friendly roofing systems can be use in the following manners:

  • Provide a natural habitat for wildlife.
  • Collect rainwater that you can use in your garden or to wash your vehicle.
  • Used to grow herbs, vegetables and other plants.

For example, slate tiles can last for 100 years or more and requires minimal processing. Purchase salvaged slate if you are looking for the greenest option. If purchasing new material, select stone that is quarried in close proximity to your location in order to minimize  the energy needed for transportation.

Solar roofing shingles can harvest the sunlight to power your home and provide you hot water.

4. Practice Water Conservation

Conserving water is an important aspect of creating a more eco-friendly vacation. Invest in a rain water tank. You can reuse rainwater to water plants fluster toilet or do your laundry. Improve your water efficiency by repairing a leaky faucet. A steady drip can waste 330 gallons of water each month. In addition, install the most-energy efficient hot water heater you can afford.

By installing aerating, low-flow faucets you will use 60% less water. If you have a toilet that was built before 1992, replace it with a new ultra-flush model. Even better, consider installing a composite toilet that uses little or no water and helps reduce water pollution.

5.  Buy eco-friendly appliances

Make your lake home greener energy-efficient appliances. Refrigerators, air conditioners, water; heaters dishwashers and microwaves consume a significant amount of the energy. According to Energy Star, by installing energy-efficient appliances you can save up to 30% on your electricity bill.