Is it smarter to renovate my home or sell and move up?

by Alessandra Imanabadi

By Alessandra Imanabadi · Nationwide Fine Homes

Renovating can be a good choice when the work solves the right problem and the schedule is something your family can live with.

I am in favor of thoughtful upgrades. I am equally in favor of understanding what happens between approving a beautiful design and enjoying the finished home.

Some work can be staged around your life

With more than one bathroom, you may update one at a time. Design the kitchen and order materials before demolition. Flooring, paint, cabinets and windows can improve a home without the same disruption as moving stairs or major plumbing.

On a prepared project, a specific cabinet installation or straightforward window replacement may take one to three days. That is an installation phase—not a promise that design, demolition, plumbing, counters, inspections and finishing will all be completed in that time.

An addition or new suite needs a separate feasibility review. What seems simple from the garden may become more involved once structure, utilities and city requirements are considered.

Our own renovation changed how I discuss the schedule

On our own renovation, a respected architect told us we would have Thanksgiving dinner in the home. Completion took eight more months. We struggled to get consistent attendance on the project. By then, the house was unfinished and our weekends were no longer our own.

Three replacement contractors came to look. Each began with some version of, “What happened with the last contractor?” Starting over was not the easy escape it had appeared to be.

That experience is why I discuss people, sequencing and expectations as carefully as finishes.

Your agent should help you compare the completed-home options with the real experience of getting there.

I would be pleased to share that perspective and explore what moving might offer instead. You can decide which path fits your family, and whether my approach is useful to that decision.