How to Decide If You Will Stay for Only a Few Years?

Quick Remodel Decision Table

	How much longer will you stay in the house?
Type of project	0 to 1 years	1 to 3 years
New doors and new windows	OK¹	OK¹
Paint or refinish bathroom and kitchen cabinets and install new hardware	OK¹	OK¹
New baseboard, crown molding, etc.	OK¹	OK¹
New flooring (carpet)	OK³	OK³
Refinish hardwood flooring	OK³	OK³
New hardwood or tile flooring	Not recommended²	OK³
Major kitchen remodel	Not recommended²	OK¹
Add on a 2nd Story	Not recommended²	Not recommended²
Add on a new bathroom	Not recommended²	OK¹
Finish a basement or attic	Not recommended²	OK¹
Add on a new room	Not recommended²	Not recommended²
Enlarge an existing living room or family room	Not recommended²	Not recommended²
Add on a new master suite	Not recommended²	Not recommended²

¹Note that this recommendation assumes that you will use economy or average grade material and spend an average amount on labor and the materials. If you are going to move in a few years, it is not a good idea to do even a simple remodel using expensive custom materials since you will only have a few years to enjoy the results and the next owners probably won't pay you even 50 percent of what you invested in these improvements.

²These projects are not recommended if you will stay in your home for a short period since the projects are relatively expensive and/or can take several months to complete. Since you will only stay in the home for a short period after the remodel project, you won't be able to enjoy the results, and unless you manage the project very carefully to minimize cost, you could easily spend more on the remodel than the additional amount you will get with the improvements when you sell and move.

³If the items that you want to replace (i.e. carpet, doors) are in very poor condition and will detract from your home's otherwise good overall condition when you go to sell, then you can consider replacing them. Before deciding to proceed with this improvement make sure that you will enjoy the new items during the remainder of your stay in this house. Also, use economy or average-priced materials, designs and colors that are common and that appeal to the largest number of buyers and pay a reasonable amount for the installation.

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