6 Common Renovation Upgrades That Aren’t Worth the Money

Having been in the construction industry for decades, Bryan Baeumler has learned a thing or two about unnecessary home renovation upgrades. Here are a few of the top lessons he’s picked up throughout his career, which might be helpful to homeowners looking to sell their property down the road.

Bryan is one of HGTV Canada’s go-to contractors and the host of Island of Bryan and Renovation Resort. Stream both series Live or On-Demand with STACKTV. Try it free today!

And don’t miss Bryan in Bryan’s All In, a new 2-episode special event airing on Sunday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

High-tech renovated cabin from Renovation Resort

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Tech Updates

While tech updates may be a convenient and cool feature to add to your home, it’s not an absolute necessity. These intricate features, including built-in speakers, grand theatre room, timed lighting, etc., can be an expensive addition to a house. These tech features also come with their own maintenance, which could be a factor in a homebuyers’ decision. Some would rather avoid the hassle of maintaining the systems and any possible glitches. Tech updates are expensive home updates and not something you will be beneficial to your return on investment (ROI).

Backyard pool surrounded by trees and grass

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Backyard Pool

While an outdoor pool might seem like a great backyard feature for your family, it’s not necessarily ideal for someone else. When it comes time to sell, the pool could actually be a deterrent for potential homebuyers. Often, homeowners do not want the responsibility of owning and maintaining a pool and it can pose a safety concern for small children or family pets. Sometimes it’s best to avoid spending the money on adding a pool to the backyard, as it will not necessarily increase your return on investment.

Minimal and modern white renovated kitchen

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Highly-Personalized Designs

Making updates to your home can increase the resale value, but of beware making bold design decisions that are too personalized to your own tastes. I’d recommend staying away from making personalized style choices when renovating. Choosing unique and custom-made features can sometimes deter potential homebuyers. Make sure that you keep the house generally appealing to any potential homeowners who might not share your design tastes.

Renovation in apartment covered with clear plastic tarp

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Going Overboard

Don’t go overboard with your upgrades. More often than not, potential homebuyers don’t want to buy a grand mansion in a neighbourhood of bungalows. Make sure you do your research on your neighbourhood to determine what would work and what will not. If you’re looking to add some square footage to your house, try keeping to what’s common within your surrounding area.

Dark rug under a small round dining table

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Putting in New Carpet

Avoid replacing old carpet with new carpet. When it comes down to flooring, hardwood is a major selling feature in any home. Try installing engineered hardwood in place of any carpet area in the home, as it will increase the resale value and is easy to clean when it comes to spills and stains. While carpet was a popular feature in the past, avoid spending money on it.

Sarah Baeumler's bright office with a large light fixture

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Adding a Home Office

If you’re looking to turn a small bedroom into a home office – think again! While a home office might seem like a beneficial investment for your own personal gain, a potential homebuyer won’t necessarily see it the same way. The lack of an additional bedroom could end up being the make-or-break decision of any potential homeowner. If a home office is an absolute necessity for you, I would suggest avoiding adding any built-in features as the next homeowners might wish to use the space as an additional bedroom.