Smart home repairs/upgrades

[freeazabird]

What are home repairs/upgrades that you feel are really worth the money? I live in an old home. There's a long list of optional upgrades. I want to upgrade smartly. What things are worth spending money on? A few things we are considering include.....new front door, new heating and cooling (currently still on radiator heating), insulation in attic, finish basement. What from my list do you think is worth spending on?

[inline five]

Additional insulation

[Cranky]

I got new windows, and they threw in a free front door, which does look pretty fabulous.

I made a long, long list during our totally broke with young kids years, and besides the windows, we've had the roof replaced, the living room floor replaced, some basement work done and then a new deck built outside the back door (those two went together for complicated reasons!), both bathrooms remodeled, the kitchen remodeled, and the driveway replaced.

I am very, very happy with all of these projects, and am now very reluctant to move!

[exige]

We did additional attic insulation and vents and it made a Huge difference our bedroom is also on the top floor.

[HipGnosis]

Finding and fixing air leaks

[Sibley]

Unless the heating doesn't work, boilers aren't bad. The issue comes in because you don't have the vents for central air. There are people who actively prefer steam or hot water heat.

I would focus on insulation, make sure electrical/plumbing are good (do those before insulating the walls if possible), make sure the roof and exterior is in good shape.

You can't fully air seal the old houses. They were not built that to do that, and you can accidentally cause tons of problems if you try. So be thoughtful.

[robartsd]

new front door, new heating and cooling (currently still on radiator heating), insulation in attic, finish basement. What from my list do you think is worth spending on?

Your circumstances will have an influence on what is worth spending on. If you'll be there long enough (which in extreme cases is one season) improving insulation is usually cost effective. The other items on your list are more likely to be valued based on the utility you get from the upgrades than a financial return on investment.

[MilesTeg]

What are home repairs/upgrades that you feel are really worth the money? I live in an old home. There's a long list of optional upgrades. I want to upgrade smartly. What things are worth spending money on? A few things we are considering include.....new front door, new heating and cooling (currently still on radiator heating), insulation in attic, finish basement. What from my list do you think is worth spending on?

Your priority list for efficiency should be:

* Attic insulation
* Leak sealing
* Doors/windows (double or triple pane)
* Wall insulation

Not sure where your heating system fits in. Radiant heat is in many ways superior to forced air, and modern systems can generally be a lot more efficient and provide better heating (but are also a lot more expensive up front or to upgrade). But if you have an ancient system, that's beyond what one can say with the info you have provided. I assume given the general implication of your post that you have a oil/gas or coal fired boiler/water system with radiators rather than a more modern system.

[jpdx]

I also live in an old bungalow. I recommend making a spreadsheet of all the repairs and upgrades you want to do, listing out what is DIY and what you will hire out.

My approach is to take care of all the major "global" systems first: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and insulation. Then work on individual rooms, focusing on just one room at a time.

[YttriumNitrate]

Let's see, from my experience:

A) Finishing off the basement is worthwhile if you do most of the work yourself and you need the space. Basements aren't usually as fancy as the main floor, so just put in wall paneling, a dropped ceiling, a tile/laminate floor, and you're good.

B) Whole house fans are a wonderful thing.

C) Dual washer/dryer connections if you have the space. Definitely a splurge, but for ~$400 (including used washer/dryer set) I can do two loads at once, and if a washer breaks I can take my time finding a replacement.

D) Paint. It's cheap and can make a house look great.

E) Attic insulation as other have mentioned.

F) Mastic on duct leaks. (a $15 tub of the stuff will be more than enough for your house).

[totoro]

If you are looking at ROI upon sale the new front door and paint will have the highest return.  If you are looking to stay a long time then insulation.

[Rubic]

Smart thermostat.  I got a Google Nest and loved it. 

[jlcnuke]

If you are looking at ROI upon sale the new front door and paint will have the highest return.  If you are looking to stay a long time then insulation.

Kinda this. If you're looking at ROI, know that only in exceptional circumstances do any upgrades have a positive return. In 99.99% of instances, the "best returns" just get back "most" of your money (I'd say investment, but that term implies you anticipate making money off of it and you should never expect to make money off of home remodeling/upgrades).

As such, the repairs/upgrades you should do I would put in the following order:

1. Repairs necessary for safety.
2. Repairs necessary for basic comfort to be maintained (broken HVAC repaired restores temp control for instance).
99. Upgrades that you will be happy you spent the money on 5-10 years from now.