As of January 31, CNBC reported that Johns Hopkins data showed an average of over 2,400 daily fatalities from Covid-19 Omicron over the previous seven days. In the week of February 1, the number of deaths increased by 39 percent compared to the previous two weeks. It was also the highest number of deaths in about a year.
The pandemic is still highly contagious and dangerous. Many people are, therefore, keeping safe and staying home as much as possible. This has led to an increase in home renovations amid Covid-19. People are redesigning and retrofitting their homes to suit changes in their lifestyle brought about by the coronavirus. This can be something as simple as getting Lynx BBQ equipment to have an outdoor kitchen to gutting and remodeling the entire house.
The Price of Home Renovation
According to an article in HomeAdvisor, a home renovation can cost from as low as $3,700 to as high as $150,000 with an average of $47,000. Most renovations, however, cost from $17,960 to $76,850.
The average renovation cost per square foot is $10 to $60. It can go as high as $150 dollars depending on what room is being remodeled and where the house is located. A lot also depends on the kind of materials used. The most expensive rooms to remodel are the kitchen and the bathroom. The least expensive ones are the living room and bedroom.
A small kitchen remodel can cost from $5,000 to $30,000 while a high-end remodel can cost more than $65,000. A low to mid-range bathroom remodel can cost from $4,190 to $28,100 while a high-end remodel can cost from $36,550 to $55,800. A living room remodel can cost from $1,500 to $5,500. A bedroom is smaller, so a remodeling project can cost from $1,500 to $3,500.
Adding a room to the house can cost from $6,000 to $125,000. Most projects fall from $21,000 to $70,000, depending on the square footage and the materials.
By location, the most expensive city in which to do a renovation is New York, followed by Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, and Los Angeles. It is less expensive to do renovations in rural areas.
Functional Living
With most people still working from home and many school-aged children again having virtual classes, homes now need new rooms to serve as offices and classrooms. This is especially important because experts state they cannot predict when another Covid-19 variant will emerge to further postpone returns to the office or classroom.
Basements and attics can be renovated for such purposes. If there is not enough space in the house to wall off as new rooms, extensions can be added. These can be at the side or behind the house, or above the garage. If the homeowner has a smaller budget, bedrooms can be totally redesigned to have multiple uses. Beds can be raised, with work or study desks positioned underneath. The underside of the steps to the bed can serve as cubbyholes for storage.
It is important to make these rooms inspiring to avoid burnout. They must be both calming and energizing. Backdrops for virtual meetings or classes must be pleasing but not distracting. Each must reflect the resident’s personality and preferences.
With people still avoiding eating at restaurants, the kitchen remains to be a major hub in the home. Meal preparation must be convenient, with enough countertops and the right equipment. Outdated appliances must be replaced. New tools for cooking can be explored. There must be enough room for everyone to help.
Outdoor Living
After work or studying, household members need to be able to stretch in the fresh air, under sunlight or moonlight. This makes outdoor renovations popular. Homeowners are setting up cooking areas with dining areas and lounges outside. In cooler climes, they add outdoor fireplaces or fire pits. In warmer locales, they add a dipping pool. Everyone is adding lots of plants.
The Joys of Remodeling
Improving the home makes it more comfortable because it then meets the new requirements of its residents. Everything needed is within reach. Aesthetic changes appeal to the senses and make staying home a more pleasurable experience. It becomes akin to a “staycation” when the home is made to resemble a spa or a mini-resort.
In addition, any improvement to the home adds to its value. This is a situation where the homeowner’s spending results in more wealth. According to HomeAdvisor, a homeowner can expect a return of 40 percent to 80 percent on the cost of remodeling. That is the amount added to the price of the home when the homeowner decides to sell. In the meantime, the family gets to enjoy all the new amenities. That is like having your cake and eating it, too.
