The home renovation industry is booming, and that’s reflected in the cost to upgrade a home. Home Guide says remodeling a kitchen costs $25,000 on average, and a bathroom renovation runs around $10,000. Though rates fluctuate depending on a host of variables, renovations can cost $15 to $60 per square foot depending on the project.
The average homeowner wants to save as much money as possible when renovating their home. Many think doing much of the work themselves is the easiest way to keep costs low. What some homeowners may not realize is that DIY can be costly and prove a big hassle in the long run. The following are some hidden costs of DIY and renovating in general.
Time DIY projects are a major drain on free time. Homeowners taking the
DIY route typically work on weekends or after work. Few people can take off and devote their undivided attention to a remodel like a contractor can. Time is a valuable resource that is not renewable. Therefore, think of a DIY project in terms of what it would equal in lost wages. Because homeowners are not professionals, a DIY project may take double the time it would take a contractor. It may be worth it to simply hire it out.
Mistakes
Many resources are available to help DIY enthusiasts work on a project, but there are still tricks and techniques learned after years on the job. DIYers may damage their homes by taking shortcuts or not understanding how to do a job properly. A plumbing mistake, for example, may lead to flooding that damages another room in the home. And such mistakes may not be covered by homeowners insurance
policies.
Fines
Permits are required for many home improvement projects. Forgetting to obtain permits or not realizing one may be necessary could subject you to hefty fines and/or force the job to be redone so it’s up to code. Professionals likely know the rules regarding permits and often include the cost of acquiring permits in an estimate.
Remediation
It’s only after opening up walls or removing floors that you may discover issues you did not anticipate, such as termite damage or mold. These unforseen factors can drive up the overall costs of a project.
Disposal
Removing old building materials or gutting a room is part of many renovations. Chances are this refuse simply cannot be left at the curb for trash pickup. As a DIYer, you may not factor the costs for a dumpster
or the time and money required to haul debris to a recycling or landfill center.
Tools
DIYers may have to purchase tools as they engage in new projects. These expenses can add up and negate the savings of doing some of
the work yourself. DIY projects may initially seem like a way to save money, but weekend warriors should calculate the hidden costs associated with DIY renovations before deciding to do some work on their own.
A sense of pride comes from a successful doit-yourself home improvement project. However, quite often inexperience and time constraints lead homeowners to turn to professional contractors to make sure jobs get done correctly and on time.
Allied Market Research reported in 2021 that the home improvement services market is predicted to reach $585.3 billion by 2030. The following are some reasons why renovation-minded homeowners benefit from the services of professionals.
• Tasks can be overwhelming: A home remodel is a large undertaking with many different steps. Contractors who have been around the block a time or two understand how to organize and manage time to get the job done. Plus, they’re devoting all of their attention and time toward the remodel when on the job. This differs from when a do-ityourselfer tries to work on a remodel in between other responsibilities.
• Network of suppliers: A good general contractor will have a list of material suppliers he or she routinely uses. Often contractors become preferred sellers, which means they get a lower wholesale rate, and will often pass those savings on to the customer.
• Licensed and bonded protection: Licensed and bonded contractors not only have the skills
for the job, they have insurance protection behind them. Therefore, if an injury occurs or the job goes awry, the homeowner will be protected from liability. A license means the contractor will have to uphold licensing standards, which could mean staying current on trade practices and skills.
• Expertise: Experienced contractors have done the work they have been hired to do many times, which means their skills are fine-tuned. Knowing the correct way to do a job results in fewer errors (and thus fewer repairs), shorter time periods to get the work done, and potentially lower costs overall.
• Frees up time: Homeowners who hire out for remodels can utilize their time in other ways, such as on the job or spending time with family.
• Reduces stress: Putting the work in capable hands means homeowners do not have to educate themselves about how to do the task, purchase tools, prevent injuries, and/or deal with potentially negative outcomes. Certainly having extra people in the house can be challenging, but it may not equal the stress caused by tackling a job on one’s own.
There are many advantages to hiring contractors to renovate a home instead of taking the DIY route.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Plaintiff, vs.
Martha L. Parkin, AKA Martha Parkin, AKA Martha Lee Parkin; Discover Bank; Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants; Westlake Townhome Owners Association
Defendants.
Case No. 2022FC000785
223 Millcreek Lane, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Judge Bryan S. Chapman
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause on January 6, 2023, James Mendrick will on June 1, 2023, at the hour of 10:00AM at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, 501 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 223 Millcreek Lane, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Parcel Number(s): 02-23-102-031
The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence.
Sale terms: Bidders must present, at the time of sale, a cashier’s or certified check for 10% of the successful bid amount. The balance of the successful bid shall be paid within 24 hours, by similar funds. The subject property is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court. The property will NOT be open for inspection.
If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than the mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
For information call Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, One East Wacker, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60601. Phone number: 312-651-6700. Attorney file number: 22-031669.
Jenna M. Rogers
MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
One East Wacker, Suite 1250 Chicago, IL 60601
Telephone: 312-651-6700
Fax: 614-220-5613
Atty. No.: 271625
Email: StateEFiling@manleydeas.com
I3218542
Renovating a home is a great way to impart personality indoors and out. Improvements can make spaces more livable and address safety issues. Home renovations often take residents’ lifestyles into account, and changes can be customized to accommodate a growing family or an empty nest.
No matter the job, home improvements tend to be costly. According to the financial resource SoFi, on average, the cost to renovate or remodel a whole house runs between $10 and $60 per square foot. Certain rooms demand a higher cost, with a kitchen or bathroom remodel costing around $100 to $250 per square foot due to electrical and plumbing needs. Figuring out how to pay for the improvement project is as essential to the planning process as picking out materials and contractors.
The following are some financial considerations and financing options for homeowners looking to renovate their properties.
• Consider if the investment is worth it. Remodeling magazine routinely assesses common improvements and how much homeowners can expect to recoup on the investment in its annual “Cost v. Value” report. In 2022, a homeowner spending $4,000 on a garage door replacement recouped 93.3 percent of the investment, whereas adding a midrange bathroom at $63,000 would only offer a 51.8 percent return. Homeowners must decide if they want to go forward with the project if they’re likely to get just a $33,000 return when they choose to sell the home later on.
• Refinance the home mortgage. Homeowners can use a cash-out mortgage refinance as a way to access
thousands of dollars for a remodel. This taps into a home’s equity. Keep in mind that the mortgage will then be a new mortgage at the current interest rate and an outstanding balance higher than what was the current one. Typically 20 percent equity in the home is needed to refinance.
• Take out a personal loan. For those who do not want to refinance, a personal loan or home improvement loan can be good for midsized projects, according to American Express. Personal loans for home renovations typically require no collateral and one’s credit score determines the interest rate.
• Utilize a home equity line of credit. A HELOC is a form of revolving credit, like a credit card. Homeowners borrow against the credit line granted with the home being the collateral. As a person pays down what is owed, he or she can borrow more. This is a good idea for recurring or long-term home improvements.
• Try a home equity loan. Home equity loans use the home as collateral like a HELOC. The home equity loan is an installment loan for a fixed amount on a fixed monthly schedule for a set term. These are sometimes called second mortgages.
• No- or low-interest credit card. Smaller projects can be financed using credit cards. Many will offer introductory rates with no interest for a few months. This is generally only preferable if a person can pay off the balance before interest is charged. These are the primary ways to finance home improvement projects when costs exceed available cash on hand.
Home improvement projects can be costly. Depending on the scope of the project, the choice of materials and the skill level involved to see the project through to successful completion, homeowners could be on the hook for thousands of dollars or even more when renovating their homes. Indeed, do-it-yourselfers can save a considerable amount of money. Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey indicate that homeowners can save anywhere from 50 to 80 percent on DIY projects compared to what they might pay for comparable work to be performed by a contractor. However, the key there is “comparable.” Cost overruns could derail DIY savings rather quickly if homeowners have little renovating skill or experience. But homeowners’ wallets aren’t the only thing in jeopardy if a DIY project goes awry.
Renovation projects require attention to detail, and that includes an emphasis on safety. Homeowners who are injured on DIY projects may face costly medical bills, while projects that are completed without incident could later pose safety hazards that require work to be redone, which is both expensive and a threat to personal safety in the interim. DIYers need not be discouraged from taking projects on themselves, but
they should heed these tips to stay safe when working on their homes.
• Make sure you choose the right ladder. DIYers may spend ample time shopping for drills and other electronic tools and gadgets that are fun to use. But ample time also must be afforded to the type of ladder you intend to use on a project. Estimates from the West Bend Insurance Company indicate that roughly 90,000 people visit the emergency room due to ladder accidents each year. Never use a broken ladder or an aging ladder that’s uneven. In addition, do not use a ladder that forces you to reach far away. If you’re leaning while using a ladder, the ladder is either too short for your project or positioned too far away from the wall. The National Home Security Alliance advises DIYers to place their ladder one foot from the wall for every four feet it rises above the ground. Test your ladders for their sturdiness prior to beginning work so you aren’t tempted to use a subpar ladder.
• Be especially careful with power tools. Power tools can do a lot and they’re fun to use. But it’s important that DIYers do not let fun distract them from safety. The Power Tool Institute urges power tool users to wear personal protective equipment, including eye and hearing protection and a dust mask, whenever using power tools. The
PTI also advises users to make sure tools are powered down before plugging them in and to inspect the tool before using it. Inspections can confirm that all guards are in place and that tools are up to the task at hand. Much like it’s unsafe to overreach on a ladder, overreaching when using power tools increase the risk for mistakes, accidents and injuries.
• Avoid electrical work. Complicated electrical work is best left to the professionals. Estimates from the Electrical Safety Foundation International indicate that electrical malfunctions cause more than 50,000 house fires each year. Such malfunctions can occur for myriad reasons, and a lack of experience working with electrical circuits and breakers could make homes vulnerable to malfunctions and fires. It’s also worth noting that homeowners’ insurance policies may not cover damage caused by DIY electrical work. So at the very least homeowners should contact their insurance providers to determine if any accidents or injuries caused by DIY electrical work would be covered by their policies.
DIY renovation projects can save homeowners a lot of money, but those savings aren’t worth compromising your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
DUPAGE COUNTY - WHEATON ILLINOIS
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Plaintiff,
vs.
Martha L. Parkin, AKA Martha Parkin, AKA
Martha Lee Parkin; Discover Bank; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants; Westlake Townhome Owners Association
Defendants.
Case No. 2022FC000785
223 Millcreek Lane, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Judge Bryan S. Chapman
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause on January 6, 2023, James Mendrick will on June 1, 2023, at the hour of 10:00AM at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, 501 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate:
The Southwesterly 20.44 feet of the Northeasterly 94.91 feet, as measured along the Southeasterly line of Lot 9 in Westlake
Townhouses-Lakeshore Unit No. 2, being a resubdivision of part of Lot 4 of Lakeshore Recreation Park in the Northeast Quarter of Section 22 and the Northwest Quarter of Section 23, Township 40 North, Range 10, East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the plat of said resubdivision recorded November 27, 1970 as Document R70-43383, in DuPage County, Illinois.
Commonly known as 223 Millcreek Lane,
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Parcel Number(s): 02-23-102-031
The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence.
Sale terms: Bidders must present, at the time of sale, a cashier’s or certified check for 10% of the successful bid amount. The balance of the successful bid shall be paid within 24 hours, by similar funds. The subject property is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court. The property will NOT be open for inspection.
If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than the mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4).
For information call Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, One East Wacker, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60601. Phone number: 312-651-6700. Attorney file number: 22-031669.
Jenna M. Rogers MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
One East Wacker, Suite 1250 Chicago, IL 60601
Telephone: 312-651-6700
Fax: 614-220-5613
Atty. No.: 271625
Email: StateEFiling@manleydeas.com
I3218542 Published 4/26/23, 5/3/23, 5/10/23
