Modern Mississauga and Marko Furlani of Urbanest Construction have come together to present an ongoing series called “Ask the Contractor.”
Submit your questions to info@modernmississauga.com for Marko to answer.

This week’s question is about what renovations to do before you sell your house.

What home renovations should I do before I sell my house?

Whether you’re looking to take advantage of the current red-hot real estate market or just trying to increase the equity in your home, here are six renovations that will help get you there without breaking the bank.

Textured ceilings
Often overlooked, a smooth ceiling can be your secret weapon. Textured ceilings can look very dated and discoloured over time. Scraping off the stucco can be a very messy job, but it is well worth the effort. Nothing looks more elegant and appealing than a clean, smooth ceiling.

Electrical
Pot lights can quickly brighten up a room and make it look much larger. Installing some in a well thought out manner, considering dimmers and separate controls will bring your home to the next level. While you’re at it, changing all the receptacles and switches to a ‘Decora’ or similar style will make your home look complete.

Windows and doors
Energy efficiency is not the only benefit when installing new windows and doors. This upgrade will also elevate the curb appeal and value of your home. Along with the roof, this is one of the items people look at when negotiating a purchase price.

Trim
Replacing your floors can be a big undertaking and can get very costly. An easier way to give your floors a facelift is to replace the old original baseboard and door casings with a more modern or elegant style. This can elevate the look of any home and can give your old floors new life.

Creating space
Taking down a load-bearing wall will definitely create an open concept, but this is not always an option. Finishing the basement – even just closing off the perimeter walls and ceiling with drywall and paint – will not only increase your living space but can add value to your home.

Kitchen
No list would be complete without the kitchen. Though a full out renovation can be expensive and time consuming, there are simple solutions to this. Re-facing your cabinet with new doors and handles is a quick and easy way to upgrade your kitchen. So is changing the counter top for something new, maybe a quartz or solid material.

About Marko Furlani:
I am the President and Creative Director of Urbanest Construction, a turnkey Design-Build renovation company in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area. I’m a proud BILD member and RenoMark contractor.
Along with a desire to create unique and custom living spaces, the team and I pride ourselves on helping our clients to love where they live. I’ve been a contractor in the GTA for over 15 years.
I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @urbanestconstruction or email me marko@urbanestconstruction.com