September 15, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II & III • Page 31 Home Improvement Home improvements that yield good returns Each year, homeowners spend billions of dollars improving their homes. While those improvements are intended to improve the home for all its residents, such improvements are also intended to increase a home’s value. Projects that contribute the most to a home’s resale value are the most attractive. This year’s “Cost vs. Value Report” from Remodeling magazine examines the relationship between remodeling costs and resale value. The following projects were some of the best for homeowners looking to improve their home and the home’s resale value at the same time. * Entry door replacement (steel): Removing an existing entry door and replacing with a new 20-gauge steel door proved to be a homeowner’s best friend, recouping 128.9 percent of its cost at resale. Among mid-range projects, this one recouped the most money by a landslide. * Attic bedroom: Converting an unfinished attic space to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a 5-by-7-foot bathroom with a shower also proved worthwhile to homeowners. Such a project recouped 83.1 percent of its $49,000 price tag at resale. * Minor kitchen remodel: For homeowners looking for smaller-scale projects, a minor kitchen remodel, which includes installing new raised-panel wood doors on cabinets and drawers and replacing older appliances with more energy-efficient models, boasts a smaller price tag and a solid return. The project, which costs roughly $21,000, recouped 78.3 percent of that cost at resale. * Backup power generator: Perhaps in light of the headline-gripping natural disasters and storms of the last decade, adding a backup power generator also proved a worthwhile investment. The project involves adding a backup system with the capacity to provide 70 amps of emergency power. That project recouped nearly 59 percent of its initial cost at resale, making it one of the few projects that saw its cost recouped figure increase from 2008-09. * Siding replacement (fiber-cement): Among projects categorized as upscale, no project fared better than siding replacement (fiber-cement) when comparing recouped values. Replacing existing siding with fiber-cement siding that’s factory primed and factory painted recouped almost 84 percent of its initial cost at resale. * Window replacement (vinyl): Replacing 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated, low-E, simulateddivided-lite vinyl windows is also a good bet for homeowners looking to improve their home and its resale value. Also considered an upscale project in spite of its relatively low price tag (roughly $14,000), this project recouped an average of 79 percent of its initial cost at resale. Fall ED GOSTISSA WYCKOFF, NJ 201-891-1033 NJ Lic #13VH02050500 FREE ESTIMATE “A Carpentry and Remodeling Company” BASEMENTS • KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • ROOFING • SIDING DOORS • WINDOWS • DECKS • ADDITIONS • RENOVATIONS EBG CONSTRUCTION LLC “Architectural Millwork & Design” Complete Plumbing and Heating Repairs and Installations No Job Too Small SENIOR DISCOUNT Lic. #6980 30 years exp. 201-847-1737 L. ROGERS PLUMBING & HEATING COMPANY CIRINO LANDSCAPING Personal Service Personal Care Free Estimate Aerate & Feed Lawn Tom Cirino % ANY SERVICE Full Service Landscape Company 15 OFF New Clients Only • w/Coupon • Exp 9/30/10 • Not Combinable Call 201-891-0955 For Information 9-15-10 pat/janine EBGConst2x2(9-15-10) 2 x 2” homeimprovement & decorating The Villadom TIMES is giving you the opportunity to present your quality services and merchandise in a special Fall Home Improvement & Decorating Guide. In The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the exposure you need in 56,300 homes right in your market area. And, as always, your Villadom TIMES advertising message is conveniently delivered each week by US mail to every residence in the ten affluent Bergen County towns listed below. Publication: FALL 7-28-10 pat/janine LRogers2x2(7-28-10) 2 x 2” 9-8-10 pat/janine Cirino2x2(9-8-10) 2x2” Serving Northern New Jersey LICENSED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIC# 29703 MIDLAND PARK, NJ – 201.988.5428 WEDNESDAY Deadline: SEPTEMBER 22 SEPTEMBER 29 OCTOBER 6 OCTOBER 13 SEPTEMBER 15 SEPTEMBER 22 SEPTEMBER 29 OCTOBER 6 WEDNESDAY Call The Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. 201-652-0744 Remodeling Renovations 7-15-09 ESTER/JANINE ShamrockDemolition3x3(7-15-09) & Repairs ����������������� 3 x 3” ����������� ���������������� ����������� ������������� ���������������������� ���� ���������� YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ZONE 1 - Wyckoff, Midland Park, Franklin Lakes ZONE 2 - Ridgewood, Glen Rock ZONE 3 - Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River ZONE 4 - Ramsey, Mahwah �������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� �������������������������������� www.hawthornehandyman.com 973-949-4431