20 Disastrous DIY Decisions That’ll Knock Thousands Off The Value Of Your Home

So, you’re ready to upgrade your starter home for a family abode you’ve seen listed on Zillow. And you need to get your current place market-ready to achieve its ceiling price. You have seen a few seasons of Love It or List It and know just what to do. But wait: it turns out that many property renovation ideas may actually devalue the price! So, from building swimming pools to installing home offices, let’s discover which things you should avoid when trying to increase your house’s value.

20. Bold is not always beautiful

Picture the scene: you’ve spent years refining your own unique style on the house. That bold and colorful wall in the lounge helps you switch off after a long day in your characterless cubicle at work. Sure, you like it, and so does your partner. Though take a step back and ask yourself: would a potential buyer feel the same?

Neutral colors appeal to the masses

Housing expert Thomas Goodman knows a thing or two about a home’s value. He told the website Love Property in February 2021, “A bright yellow wall in the kitchen could be comforting for you, but it might portray your room in a different light to others.” When it comes to selling your home, neutral tones will have a wider appeal.

19. A bathroom in name only

Walk-in showers might be a popular, time-effective option for anyone who lives a hectic life. They can also create the illusion of more space in a cramped bathroom. Yet many people like to unwind with a long soak in the tub after a busy day! So, perhaps think twice before ripping it out. After all, it may hurt the resale value of your home – particularly if you only have one bathroom.

Consider the hassle

A refreshed bathroom can undoubtedly add value to a home. But going too far may have the reverse effect, Yahoo! Life notes. If you like the idea of a fancy whirlpool tub with all the bells and whistles, consider whether someone else might see it as a hassle to clean or step into. Perhaps instead keep it simple with a shower over the bath.

18. Window woes

Creaking floorboards. Clunky pipes. Draughty doorways. Anyone who has ever lived in a period property will know all the drawbacks! Windows can also be a problem area for which the most obvious solution may be to rip them out in favor of a more energy-efficient, vinyl solution. But Architect Anik Pearson argued against this during an interview with The Washington Post in 2018.

They last much longer

Pearson revealed, “Even though a wood window will cost a lot more than vinyl or aluminum, the wood is worth the investment because it can survive 100 years. Vinyl clad won’t last for more than ten or 20 years, and metal clad is better than vinyl but in arid climates.” So, it’s worth considering the house’s location, and maybe think about upgrading what you already have.

17. Beware of the basement

One factor when it comes to valuing a property is, of course, the home's square footage. Though if you live in the city and don’t have the space to extend outwards, you might think of adding a basement to your property instead. But be warned: this can be a big risk.

Do your homework

Before calling in expensive contractors, understand the topography underneath your home. Pearson described a client in New York City looking to add a basement to his property who discovered a river running under the townhouse. As the architect explained, “They poked a hole in the basement and sure enough, there was running water. The river was still there.” Without this research, then, a straight-down dig could have been costly.

16. DIY dangers

We all know that there are countless YouTube videos available that offer tips on everything from how to paint a room to fixing an electrical outlet. And no doubt some of us come away from watching them thinking that we can tackle anything! Yet we often bite off more than we can chew. So, don't be afraid to call in trained professionals in those instances where the DIY job is a little beyond your expertise.

Amateur work stands out

“Professional work is second to none in quality, when buyers step into your home and agents do a valuation, they will take note of details,” Goodman told Love Property. He added, “Your DIY tiling job might look appealing to you, but amateur work doesn’t have the same finish.” Be realistic and identify when you may be out of your depth – especially with jobs that pose safety risks like electrics and plumbing.

15. Darkened rooms versus lavish lighting

Less is often more when we think of decor in a resale, though that’s not always true when it comes to light. For instance, rooms that lack natural light are dark and dingy to potential buyers. Love Property therefore suggests using mirrors to reflect what natural light there is, adding plenty of the artificial kind and painting the walls with natural colors. But that does come with a caveat.

Trends move fast

Real estate company founder Alon Barzilay told Yahoo! Life that buyers are often drawn to pretty light fixtures. But he said to exercise caution, too. The businessman explained, “Whatever is in vogue today will look dated ten years down the road when you are ready to sell.” Therefore, keeping it simple should save money in the long run.

14. The cost of unnecessary rooms

Those of us who are fitness enthusiasts may be tempted to convert an unused garage into a gym. Similarly, parents with kids returning from university may want to convert the space into a separate living quarters. Though doing so could adversely affect the value of your home, according to Yahoo! Life.

Garages are often deal breakers

You see, the circumstances of future buyers will be entirely different to yours. And as it happens, lots of people would like to have a garage for precisely its intended purpose! It could also be a deal breaker if your property doesn’t have one. Therefore, if you want to change its use, consider making it easy to switch back.

13. Character casualties

One of the most appealing things about older properties are, of course, their period features. These may come in the form of wooden floors, base boards, light fittings or decorative columns. Inevitably, though, these unique additions will become worn over time and look less than their best. Restoring them can be costly, so it may be tempting to go for a more modern material.

Work with what's there

Architectural Resources Group's Naomi Miroglio told The Washington Post, “Some contractors think it’s more trouble to save decorative pieces than work around them.” Though such shortcuts can look out of place and therefore be unappealing to buyers. Instead, she suggested working with the materials you have. Miroglio went on, “It’s arrested decay: you stop it from decaying but avoid making it look brand new.”

12. Luxurious landscaping

To encourage potential buyers to view your property, it’s generally a good idea to increase its so-called “curb appeal.” But going too far with such an overhaul could have the reverse impact on the home’s next owner. Take trees as an example. They look pretty but are also prone to shedding their leaves, and this could lump buyers with hefty maintenance bills.

Too much maintenance

Landscaping London's Theodore Beasley explained to Yahoo! Life, “Costly landscaping decoration will not increase the value of your home, but rather increase the maintenance required for it.” He further added, “Constant leaf rain is not something that will positively attract a potential homebuyer. When fall comes, they will just know it will give them a hard time.” The advice, then, is to keep exteriors simple and easy to care for.

11. Flawed flooring

Did you know that the type of floor your property has can have a big impact on its value? Carpet is also harder to keep clean compared to its hardwood or laminate alternative. And home remodeling expert Alex Biyevetskiy told Realtor.com that new hardwood floors could increase your home's value by up to 2.5 percent! But that’s not all.

Keep it consistent

Love Property notes that having a different type of flooring in each room of the house can be a turn off for buyers. Instead, why not try keeping the flooring consistent throughout the property? What’s more, low maintenance surfaces are preferred in high traffic parts of the house – such as the hallway. And like all other decor, remember that personal tastes don’t appeal to everybody!

10. Fishy endeavors

Built-in fish tanks might be a dream come true for many of us. They can also give your house an upscale feel. Though it’s important to remember a potential buyer may not share your enthusiasm. Also, such an addition to the house could adversely affect its value, according to Yahoo! Life.

Extra expense to remove

You should consider whether a built-in fish tank will actually add long-term value to the home. And removing it may be an expense that a future owner won’t want to pay. So, if you still want to keep your aquatic friends at home, why not choose a standard fish tank instead?

9. Closet calamities

When considering rooms in a property, it might be tempting to think that bigger is better. What would you do to create a larger bedroom or bathroom? You might be inclined to knock through to a closet to create the desired expansion, for instance. But be warned: such an endeavor could be costly.

Closets get counted

Michele Silverman Bedell is the owner of residential agency Silversons, and she talked to MarketWatch about the risks that come from knocking through your closet. The businesswoman said, “People need [them]. They’ll walk in and count the number of closets per room.” So, it’s worth asking yourself whether such a sacrifice could adversely affect the value of your home.

8. The indulgent hot tub

According to the brilliantly named Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, there was a surge in demand for residential hot tubs in 2020. Though while some prefer a simple “plug-and-play” style unit, larger, more expensive items are growing in popularity as a space for families to hang out. But keep in mind the practicalities of installing this luxury item!

Takes up yard space

A future buyer might see a hot tub as taking up precious space in the back yard, as well as an annoying additional maintenance. The contraption could also be dangerous for families with young children. Therefore, a portable unit you can take with you could be the smartest choice – rather than going to the expense of having one fitted.

7. Kitchen curses

A kitchen makeover can often be a simple and relatively inexpensive way to add value to a home. You may think, therefore, that putting more money into a renovation will always yield a higher return. It's just basic math, right? Well, the numbers don’t actually always stack up, and you should be aware of cost-versus-gained-value before committing to a revamp.

Keep the value in mind

According to the website Remodeling, the average price of a major kitchen renovation in the U.S. is around $62,000. Yet it claimed that the investment will only add closer to $40,000 to your home’s resale value. So, try to be more restrained with kitchen makeovers rather than blowing the budget!

6. A costly extension

Adding an extra room to your home must add to its value, right? While that may be true if you are converting a basement or loft for additional living space, it’s not always the case when it comes to expanding your home. A sun room, for example, may end up costing more than you make back in resale.

Budget low

Anyone with a verdant back yard may want to install a sun room to enjoy the views whatever the weather. But such an expense could cost up to $75,000, the website Remodeling notes. And when you consider that the total value added to the home is around $35,000, it’d be worth keeping your costs low. Though if you pay too little it could also result in a blight for potential buyers. Talk about a balancing act!

5. Wonder walls

Just like any other fashion, trends come and go when it comes to home decorating. What’s in vogue one year might turn into an eyesore further down the line. For example, textured wallpapers and fancy paneling might appeal to one home owner. Though potential buyers may see it as simply an extra job to tackle.

Decorating out of a sale

Anything in your home that looks too much like extra work to a prospective owner is likely to lower the purchase price, according to Yahoo! Life. So, think twice before plastering your home with the latest trends in textured walls. You could be decorating your way out of a sale!

4. Home office horrors

Advances in modern technology mean it’s now common for us to conduct business from home. For instance, some might go to the lengths of converting a bedroom into a dedicated work space. Though remember that your fancy little office might not be necessary for everybody.

Keep the space transitional

Ripping out any bedroom furniture in itself costs money. Also, installing extra wall outlets and other technical gadgetry can be expensive. And imagine if the potential buyers choose to turn the space into another bedroom? All the time, effort and expense on the conversion would have been wasted.

3. Banishing bedrooms

Knocking down walls to turn two small bedrooms into a bigger one might suit some people. For instance, it may be handy for those whose kids have moved out, or for people who don't plan to have children any time soon. But if you’re not currently living in your forever home, experts would advise that you think twice before picking up a sledge hammer.

Small rooms have a big impact

Brian Davis invests in real estate and co-founded the website SparkRental. He told Yahoo! Life, “Even small bedrooms add value to homes, as most families want children to have their own rooms but don’t mind if they’re on the small side. In my experience, each bedroom can add about 15 percent to the value of a home.”

2. A surplus swimming pool

Adding a swimming pool to your property might seem like an obvious way to increase its value. Though according to home improvements website HouseLogic, such an indulgence might increase its sale price by up to 7 percent only. And that’s if you live in a location where residents will benefit from having a pool in the first place.

Narrow the buyer pool

Davis told Yahoo! Life, “Unless you live somewhere that’s hot at least six months out of the year, pools are generally more trouble than they’re worth.” What’s more, they only appeal to a certain type of buyer. He continued, “The only people who really want them are families with a certain age range of children, so it limits the potential buyers.” So, the cost of building and maintaining a pool could be more than its added value.

1. Too much tech

High-tech renovations that are seen as too personal can negatively affect a home's market value. For instance, it might be tempting to keep up with the Kardashians by converting a room into a home cinema. Such a high end indulgence will surely stack the dollars onto the resale price, right? Well, not so much.

Prepare to update

Some buyers might see it as a room that could be better used as a more functional space, Yahoo! Life notes. And if the sound systems and projectors are built in, it could be a huge demolition job to remove it. Besides, technology has a habit of evolving rather quickly and it would be an expensive hassle to update it. The extravagance could therefore put off potential buyers.