kitchen

Do you want to renovate your kitchen?

bathroom

Do you want to renovate your bathroom?

Do you want to renovate your swimming pool?

Do you want to prepare your house for sale?

Have you rented a new flat and want to refresh it?

KITCHENS

A major kitchen remodeling typically costs between €7,000 y €30,000. However, costs can vary depending on the extend of the update and quality of the materials you want to use.  You need to decide how much time you spend in your kitchen, and see what is most important to you and your family.

Where to save and where to spend

Your appliances are a most important part of your kitchen, so it seems important to find the best ones to serve you over time.  It is important to check the energy efficiency of the appliances and whether they have warranties.

Your kitchen should last at least 20 years so this is something you need to keep in mind.

Steps in the remodeling of the kitchen

  • Tear out cabinets and walls.
  • Replace old plumbing & install new electrics and lightening.
  • Treat the walls, drywall, cement and sand; then paint walls and ceiling.
  • Install flooring and baseboards.
  • Install cabinets and countertops, backsplash and tiles.
  • Install appliances, sink and hardware.

BATHROOMS

A complete bathroom remodel costs between €4,000 and €12,000 on average, and prices vary depending on the level of luxury.

  • Find your maximum budget, and stick to it.
  • Think about how many people use the bathroom, and what type of fixtures do you need (Bidet? Storage space? Big mirror? More than one mirror? How big should your shower be?)
  • Consider what your must-haves are in the bathroom, and then consider the nice-to-have-features. Budget accordingly.

Remember that when selling your property, your bathroom and your kitchen are two most important selling points, plan accordingly. The unpredictable can still happen, so plan on 20% extra costs as a safety net.

SWIMMING POOLS

Having a pool adds plenty of value to a property. The price of installation of a pool depends on the size and materials.

  • A concrete, fully tiled pool of 8m X 4m costs from €15,000 to €30,000 including filtration and heating and it can be of any shape.

  • Installing a pool requires special planning permission that should be applied for a few months in advance. This is usually handled by an architect.

  • Saline pools are an option, they cost a bit more, but give a better quality of water and offer lower maintenance costs.

swimming pool

HOME STAGING

Good home staging is a form of visual merchandising that draws on some of the fundamentals of interior design.The object of staging is to flatter the property but not be too obvious about it, like being dressed without drawing particular attention to what you’re wearing.

Good staging lets the buyers imagine themselves in the home, shows off its good features and hides its flaws, turns weird spaces into usable spaces, creates a mood (stagers call it “emotional” staging), and makes the home look significantly better in photos.

WHY HOME STAGING IS SO IMPORTANT?

When dealing with such a significant financial transaction as selling a home, you don’t want to settle for a lower selling price or a longer marketing period than you have to.

Relative to the amount of time and money involved, staging may be one of the most lucrative projects you ever undertake. Potential buyers aren’t just looking for a structure to inhabit—they’re also looking for a way to fulfill their dreams and improve their lifestyle. Staging can create a more emotional purchase for the buyer, which ultimately can generate more money for the seller.

Home staging is also beneficial because potential buyers don’t want to see work that needs to be done upon moving into the home. For every problem they see, they’ll deduct its cost from their offering price. If they see too many problems, they may pass completely on buying the home.

TIPS FOR HOME STAGING

  • Clean
  • Declutter
  • Depersonalize
  • Flooring
  • Focus on fresh
  • Define rooms
  • Wallpaper and paint
  • Lighting
  • Furniture
  • Walls and ceilings
  • Exterior
  • Final touches