Still, you can\u2019t expect to make your money back if you invest in a full remodel. As stated in the report, you will only recoup an average of 50% of your expenses on a full bathroom renovation. Kitchen remodels and upgrades<\/a> will net you a bit more, with a 57 to 62% ROI. That still means you\u2019ll be spending almost twice what you\u2019ll make back when you sell.<\/p>\n And unfortunately, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most expensive spaces to renovate. According to Fixr, the national average for a full remodel is $20,000 for a 200 square foot kitchen.<\/a> Bathroom remodels are just as expensive, with a national average cost of $18,000 for a 150 square foot master bath<\/a> and around $5,000 for a small half bath.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a lot of money to spend on a home that you intend to sell. Which is why, according to a recent study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, only 19% of homeowners opt for a full remodel.<\/a><\/p>\n Instead of going to the expense of gutting your kitchen or bathroom down to the studs, enlist a top-notch agent<\/a> to help you determine how much work the spaces actually need.<\/p>\n Experienced real estate agent\u00a0Tom Becker,<\/a> who ranks #7 of 6,745 seller\u2019s agents in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, GA,<\/a> gives his sellers a list of home improvement recommendations that will increase the asking price, including kitchen and bath upgrades.<\/p>\n \u201cInstalling new faucets, countertops, and appliances can make a big difference. I had a client with an older house built in 1995 and the homeowner did everything I recommended. It might\u2019ve cost the homeowner about $15,000 and we got around $40,000 more.\u201d<\/p>\n You can give your kitchen and bathrooms a brand new look by making a handful of DIY kitchen and bathroom makeovers on a tight budget or hiring a professional to complete a few smaller projects. Let\u2019s take a look at the places that might need work and what you can do to improve them.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bfe2VxKli96\/?hl=en&taken-by=scoutandnimble<\/a><\/p>\n If you think replacing outdated appliances is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, think again. Brand new cabinets can cost up to 50 percent of your budget,<\/a> so look for ways to salvage your existing cabinetry.<\/p>\n Outdated cabinets may look old, but appearance is no reason to rip out and replace them. There are several ways to restore or salvage sturdy, unbroken cabinetry that\u2019ll be easier on your wallet than replacing them. These same techniques can also be applied to bathroom cabinets and vanities.<\/p>\n One option is to reface your old cabinets.<\/a> Rather than tearing them out entirely, you\u2019ll simply be replacing the doors and drawer faces while leaving the original cabinet framework in place. A big hurdle with this project is finding faces that will fit your existing cabinets, so measure every piece before ordering replacements.<\/p>\n Create a two-tone effect by selecting doors that complement the color of existing cabinet framework, such as lighter toned doors on a darker base. If you\u2019d rather make them match, add a veneer over top of all the exposed cabinetry framework.<\/a><\/p>\n If refacing isn\u2019t in your budget, consider transforming your cabinets by staining<\/a> or repainting them.<\/a> Both options require you to scrub and sand down all surfaces first to remove the old finish to ensure the stain absorbs and the paint sticks. You\u2019ll also need to pick the right paint<\/a> or wood finish<\/a> that can withstand kitchen splashes and traffic.<\/p>\n However, staining and repainting are time consuming projects that can ruin your cabinets if done incorrectly. You\u2019ll need to avoid leaving streaks, drips, visible brushstrokes or other signs that an amateur did the work. If you\u2019re not confident in your DIY skills, hire a professional to do the job for an average of $800 to $1,200.<\/a><\/p>\n Of course, your kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities may not need refurbishing at all. Once cleaned, you might find that the only element dating your cabinets is the hardware.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bfw2y3knQrc\/?hl=en&taken-by=magnolia<\/a><\/p>\n Just like your choice of tie or necklace changes the look of your outfit, brand new door and drawer pulls can make a cleaned up cabinet look brand new.<\/p>\n For cupboards that have exposed or broken hinges, it\u2019s probably best to hire a professional to do the job at a cost of around $150 to 200.<\/a> But if your cabinets have hidden hinges and you\u2019re only replacing the handles, all you\u2019ll need is a screwdriver and a little elbow grease.<\/p>\n Cabinetry pulls run from around $2 up to $30 apiece<\/a> and an average kitchen needs between 20 to 40 door and drawer pulls.<\/a> This means that you may be able to complete the project for $50 or less.<\/p>\n The only tricky part is picking handles that fit your existing holes.<\/a> For handles that require two or more screws to hold them in place, you\u2019ll need to measure the distance between them\u2014from center to center. Bringing along one of your existing handles is the easiest way to check if potential replacements will line up. Also ensure that the bases of the replacements cover any wear or damage around the existing holes.<\/p>\n Replacement pulls that don\u2019t line up with existing holes can still be installed, but it will require more work. You\u2019ll need to drill new holes and fill the existing ones with wood filler, creating visible flaws in the cabinetry. Refurbishing or refacing your cupboards can hide these blemishes, so select your replacement hardware first.<\/p>\n Apart from finding ones that fit, you\u2019ll also need to ensure that you pick knobs and pulls that appeal to the largest pool of buyers. Opt for simple, sleek designs that are in keeping with the style of the house. Popular finishes include brushed nickel, stainless steel and oil-rubbed bronze,<\/a> that should be chosen to match existing fixtures, such as the kitchen sink and faucet. Unless they need replacing as well.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BWX4BK2gNic\/?hl=en&taken-by=moeninc<\/a><\/p>\n Faucets are the main focal points in both your kitchen and bathrooms that buyers use to gauge the condition of the spaces. Rundown fixtures (leaks, water stains, damaged handles, outdated styles and finishes) say that your home hasn\u2019t been updated or well-maintained.<\/p>\n Luckily, faucets are an affordable upgrade, costing anywhere from $80 to 500 for a kitchen faucet and starting around $50 for a bathroom sink faucet. The cost of the faucet itself largely depends upon the finish, style and function.<\/p>\n In the bathroom, you\u2019ll need to replace your shower head, faucets and tub drain as well so that the age, style and finishes of your plumbing all match the new sink faucet. While costs start around $150 for the shower\/tub fixtures alone,<\/a> it\u2019s the installation that\u2019s the big expense.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the skills to DIY it,<\/a> a plumber will run you an average of $235 for installation of one faucet alone<\/a>\u2014that\u2019s over and above the cost of the faucet. Luckily, many plumbers charge a flat rate per job<\/a> so you can save on installation costs by having the kitchen and bath fixtures installed at the same time.<\/p>\n Buy the faucets and fixtures ahead of time to save even more, but make sure you get the right ones. You need to select replacements that match the placement and function of your existing faucets or the installation will cost extra.<\/p>\n For example, don\u2019t purchase a centerset sink faucet<\/a> with handles attached to the deck plate if your existing faucet has freestanding, wide set handles.<\/p>\n If your faucet purchases don\u2019t line up with the existing holes in your sink or shower, the plumber will likely charge more for custom installation. Or they may not be able to install it at all, which means you\u2019ll need to buy a new faucet and pay for a second installation session.<\/p>\n With every fix you make, a transformation takes shape, until it starts to feel like you have a brand new kitchen and bathrooms without the expense of a full renovation. For some homeowners, though, these small improvements highlight the age and wear on the big ticket items that they haven\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n If your new faucets and hardware are tempting you to replace your old flooring, vanity or countertops, take a step back and remember: this won\u2019t be your home for much longer. These minor upgrades are simply designed to make your home more appealing to buyers. Little fixes simply give your kitchen and bath that \u201cbrand new\u201d look without the expense of being completely brand new.<\/p>\n But sometimes those big items do need changing. Any major item with visible damage, like worn floors, water-damaged walls or scratched countertops, will need to be replaced by a professional.<\/p>\n New countertops range from $20 to $250 per square foot<\/a> depending upon the material type and extras like special edgings. Typically, that price includes the cost of installation as well.<\/p>\n For kitchen and bath flooring, the materials and installation costs vary widely depending upon which flooring material you choose.<\/a> Be sure to pick an easy-clean, water-resistant material like tile or vinyl that can withstand heavy traffic.<\/p>\n In kitchens, old appliances are the biggest eyesore, but it\u2019s not always worth the cost to replace them. Refrigerators and ovens that are in good repair can be refreshed with a thorough cleaning.<\/p>\n1. Clean Up Cabinetry<\/h2>\n
2. Swap Out Hardware<\/h2>\n
3. Focus on Faucets<\/h2>\n
![\"Kitchen](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/kitchen-bathroom-makeover-budget-big-upgrades.jpg\")
<\/a>4. When to Tackle the Big Ticket Projects<\/h2>\n