Eighty-seven percent of home buyers want hardwood floors. If you’re listing a home, installing new hardwood floors is an upgrade that may get you a higher return on your property. But that doesn’t mean this decision is for every home-seller. Before you start a major flooring renovation, take a look at the questions you need to ask.
Are the Current Floors Salvageable?
Hardwoods have an undeniable beauty – especially when they’re new. If you have existing hardwood floors, a new install isn’t always the best option. Some older floors are salvageable with some help.
Floors made from maple, walnut, or mahogany are made from harder woods, making these floors more of a challenge to restore. But that doesn’t always mean you have to tear them up. A professional wood flooring company can evaluate the floors, determine whether they’re in good enough shape to salvage, and refinish them for you. This leaves you with floors that look almost new.
Are You Looking for an Eco-Friendly Option?
An environmentally-friendly home is a selling point that may entice a buyer. Three out of every four millennials are willing to pay extra for purchases considered sustainable.
Switching from old synthetic carpet or other flooring options to hardwoods or refinishing your existing wood floors is an appealing eco option. Unlike manmade materials, wood is a renewable building source. Its production and harvesting is better for the environment because these processes release less greenhouse gases and cause less air or water pollution than other options. Wood can help improve the home’s energy efficiency.
Who Is Your Target Buyer?
Along with the eco-conscious shopper, other types of buyers may prefer a new hardwood floor. Hardwood floors are sturdy, durable, and moderately mess-resistant. This makes them ideal for families with children or people with pets. Hardwoods are also easy to refinish, giving them a longer lifespan (even in the face of children or pets).
Do You Want a Neutral Environment?
Carpeting has its merits, but it also creates a defined design aesthetic. Potential buyers need to see themselves in the house, which can be more difficult with carpet. Hardwood floors create a clean, neutral look. Whether you choose dark or light hardwoods, the material provides a base that the buyer can build from. The buyer can leave the floors as is or cover them with area rugs.
Not only can the buyer see their own rugs and furniture on your hardwoods, but the buyer can also imagine their own color palette in the room. Tan, cherry, and brown wood matches almost every paint color or wallpaper pattern. With wood, the buyer won’t have to worry about changing the floor to coordinate with their preferred color scheme.
Do You Need a Selling Point?
Brand-new hardwoods are an attractive perk. While some homes have standout kitchens and others have spalike bathrooms, hardwood floors throughout the house are a true highlight. If a major renovation (such as a complete kitchen tear-down and build) isn’t in your budget, replacing at least some of your existing floors with hardwoods can add value to your home.
What Is Your Budget?
The beauty of hardwood floors comes at a cost. Natural wood floors are typically more expensive than carpets and some types of tile such as vinyl. Several factors go into the total cost of your flooring. These include the type of wood you choose, the amount of wood you need, and whether you want a simple floor or a custom design.
Are you in the process of listing your home? Do you want to upgrade your flooring to hardwoods? Contact Wood Floors Unlimited, Inc., for help and expert craftsmanship.