A new year can be an excellent time to evaluate your home, consider any improvements and do a coverage checkup. A home protection plan is an excellent supplement to your homeowners insurance, covering many major appliances and systems from the mechanical failures that result from daily use. When evaluating home improvement projects, taking a step-by-step approach and allowing plenty of time to plan can make for a smoother and more cost-effective experience for the year ahead.
7 Steps for 2025 Home Improvement Planning
In 2023, the top motivations for homeowners to spend money on their homes were to maintain its condition or to adapt their homes to meet their lifestyle needs, according to the State of Home Spending report by Angi, formerly known as Angi’s List. Homeowners who spent money on home improvements, maintenance and repairs spent an average of $13,667, up 6% compared to 2022.
Top projects in 2023 included regular maintenance such as lawn care and gutter cleaning, followed by interior painting, new appliances, bathroom remodeling and the installation of smart home devices and new flooring.
1. Start With a Home Assessment
Begin by going room by room to review the condition of your house. While doing so, think about the spaces you enjoy as well as those you could improve to protect your assets. Improvements like storm shutters and roof upgrades might not have the same enjoyment, but you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your home can handle whatever comes your way.
2. Create a List of Potential Projects
Creating a list of projects and repairs to improve the home is a great way to start streamlining priorities. Even if the projects don’t happen right away, consider searching for ways you can make your home more secure. Look back at the year — did you have any insurance claims? Could an improvement help prevent future claims? How was your home impacted by any weather or natural disasters? A master list of home improvements can jumpstart the planning process, from small items like weatherstripping windows to big-ticket items such as a roof upgrade or improved drainage — and of course your agent can help discuss the ways this would impact your coverage and monthly rates.
3. Rate Your Ideas in Order of Importance
That master list can become more valuable to determine which items are the most urgent for safety and security, which will add the most to livability, and which ones you can delay. Rating these ideas can provide clarity about your home and its condition, rather than taking a haphazard approach.
4. Determine Whether Seasonal Issues May Impact the Project
Depending on the project, weather conditions can be a factor when determining when to begin a project (as well as which projects to choose). For example, while you may want to revamp your outdoor space with a gazebo, seating area or garden, these projects may not be possible during winter. Similarly, window replacements may need to be delayed to avoid exposing the house to extreme weather.
5. Assess Your Resources
You can easily accomplish some projects, such as cleaning and repairing gutters or weatherproofing doors and windows, but others — especially those involving electrical or plumbing expertise — are best for the professionals. Going through the list and considering what can be a DIY project, which will depend on your abilities, can help with prioritization.
6. Create a Budget
Estimate the costs for various projects with online product searches and an online home renovation cost estimator. Your insurance agent may also be able to provide an idea of costs — or connect you with professionals who can. Next, consider potential funds for projects.
Most homeowners (62%) pay cash from savings for their home improvements, while 37% use credit cards, 30% use a payment plan and 24% borrow funds with a home equity line of credit, according to the State of Home Spending report.
7. Rank Your Projects and Create a Home Improvement Schedule
With plenty of insight into your priorities, resources, costs, and budget, you can rank the projects and create a timeline for home improvements. To stay motivated, it’s good to keep a few projects in the pipeline that can be done inexpensively yet provide satisfaction.
Keep Your Home and Appliances Safe with AIS and Cinch
In addition to planning home improvement projects, keep in mind that a Cinch Home Services protection plan can provide extra protection beyond your homeowners insurance. No one wants to be in the middle of renovation projects only to face an unexpected appliance repair or replacement expense. A home protection plan provides access to a professional network of contractors providing peace of mind knowing that a covered incident can be handled more quickly and affordably. To learn more about the affordability of a Cinch home protection plan, start your quote online or call (833) 640-0969.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. Furthermore, it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied. The opinions expressed by guest bloggers are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of AIS Management LLC, any subsidiary or affiliate of the same, or any employee thereof. We are not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest bloggers.
Guest blog written by Cinch Home Services.
