How to Decide Between Remodeling or Moving

Should you move to a new house or are you already standing on your own diamonds? That’s a question that homeowners have long pondered. It can be a tough decision, however, ultimately the answer can be found by determining what’s best for you and your current budget. Let’s take a closer look at a few factors to help you make the right decision.

How Much Does It Cost to Move?

This will depend on how much you’re bringing with you, how far you’re moving, and what season it is. You also need to factor in the cost of selling which includes things like agent commission, title insurance, and possibly capital gains tax. Other things to factor in are the possible cost of truck and pod rentals. You will also need to determine if you would use professional movers or if you feel that you can handle the moving responsibilities yourself.

Be sure to think through if you want to pack your own boxes and then load heavy items up on a truck. Often, it’s a good investment to hire professional movers to handle these strenuous tasks. Friends and family may agree to help you move but consider if they would be into carrying a sofa and hutch up and down flights of steps on their off day in exchange for some pizza. 

As you ponder whether to do it yourself or invest in professional services, let’s break down some price ranges associated with moving.

Moving Services Cost Ranges

Move.org is an online service that compares quotes and provides recommendations for moving companies and services. According to their website, a full-service move can range from $550 to $12,000 depending upon if it’s local or long-distance. This is generally regarded as 100 miles or more.
           

Moving Truck Rental Costs 

The price range will depend on your individual situation. For example, do you need to just rent a small truck for a single day, or would you need to rent a large truck for a few days?  According to the same data from Move.org, a local move can cost up to $336 and a long-distance move up to $1700.

Although renting your own truck and doing it yourself is the lowest cost option, something to consider is hiring full-service movers. This will add a few hundred dollars to your costs but usually proves to be more efficient and greatly reduces the amount of effort and stress. Packing service per will range from $30 to $60 per labor hour.

Storage Containers

Another option is to utilize moving and storage containers which are generally less expensive than full-service moving. In this scenario, you will still need to load and unload your belongings yourself. Prices will depend on whether you just need one container for a local move, multiple containers for a long-distance move, or a combination of both. The price can range from $550 locally to $5500 for a long-distance move.  

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel?

In some instances, making renovations can be less expensive than buying a home. Some great remodeling projects include replacing old kitchen cabinets, redoing a bathroom, or adding hardwood flooring. Maybe you want to turn your basement into an entertainment center or make your kitchen look like you could have your own cooking show? Maybe you’ll end up filming your own cooking show! Let’s take a closer look at how much a few of those ideas would cost.

Remodeling a Kitchen

Kitchens are often the first area of renovation which makes sense because that’s where meals are created. Whether or not you aspire to have your own cooking channel, kitchen renovations can be a bit pricey and can vary depending upon where you live. According to Remodeling.net’s 2021 cost vs. value report, the price can range from $26,000 – $75,000. Those on a tighter budget can do a small kitchen remodel without major upgrades for as little as $4,000.

Any upgrade can be a smart investment because when buyers look at homes that are for sale, a modern kitchen is often what inspires them to make an offer.  

Remodeling a Bathroom

A bathroom renewal project not only adds value to a home, but it can also increase efficiency and sustainability as well as eliminate mold and mildew. Although less pricey than a kitchen renovation there can still be a substantial cost involved. According to HomeAdvisor.com, The average bathroom remodeling job costs $10,943, and most homeowners spend between $6,596 and $16,369. However, it can cost as little as $3,500 to update the essentials in a small or medium-sized bathroom.

Cash-Out Refinance, Home Equity Loan and HELOC for Remodeling

Depending on how much equity you’ve accrued in your home, you may be able to put it to work to get cash for your renovations. You may also be able to shorten your loan term or get a lower rate. Fortunately, you have a few options, and we are here to help you choose the one that’s right for you. Here are three for you to consider:

Cash-out Refinance – With this option, you replace your current mortgage with a new one that has a larger outstanding principal balance, and you get the difference in a lump sum of cash. 

Home Equity Loan – These loans give the borrower a lump sum upfront for which to spend, and in return, they must make fixed payments over the life of the loan. Home equity loans also have a fixed interest rate.

HELOC – This type of loan is also known as “home equity lines of credit.” Here the value of a house provides the collateral for a line of credit. The lines of credit generally have fixed terms and derive from a specified percentage of a home's appraised value minus the balance still outstanding on the mortgage.

As you can see, there are some important differences between these three home remodeling funding options. Questions? Give us a call today and we will help you choose the one that’s right for you.

Conclusion

Remodeling the spaces in your home can create a whole new vibe and personalized oasis without ever having to carry heavy furniture up and down steps or load up a truck. You may also be able to increase the value of your home by renovating.

The home buying process involves a few steps including getting financing, checking out various homes, making offers, home inspections, and closing. However, the convenience of being able to move into the home of your dreams is often reason enough for many people to go with a move.

Whether you decide to move or remodel it will be an adventure and we’ve got you covered either way!