13 DIY Projects That Could Lower Your Home's Value

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There’s something special about the pride you feel when you take on DIY at home, to make your home even better. Painting walls and crafting custom furniture will satisfy you and cut down on a whole lot of cash. But here’s the kicker: and not every project is a home run. Some well meaning upgrades can more quickly drop your property value than a dropped hammer.

Another flip side of DIY is that it’s all fun and games until the resale value of your home takes a dip. Let’s take a closer look at the nitty gritty of DIY projects that could cost you more than you thought.

Garage Conversions

If you can turn your garage into a home office, gym, or guest room, you may think you’re putting the space to good use. But hold your horses. Whether it be for parking, storage, or both, most homebuyers want a functional garage. And while you might not lose the whole earth, losing that space will shrink your buyer pool faster than a sweater in a hot dryer.

Landscaping That Is Just Too Personal

Home Upgrades That Ain't Worth It — Photo Credit: Pexels

Your backyard dream may be a koi pond, exotic plants, or intricate garden designs, but not everyone wants to tend a botanical garden. Low maintenance yards are often preferred by buyers and over the top landscaping can make them think, ‘how much work is this going to be?’ Stick to simplicity, fresh grass and tidy flower beds are usually safer.

Bold Paint Choices

While your neon green kitchen might bring you joy, the next person coming in to view your home might not be so happy. Buyers are scared off by loud or unusual paint colors because they think of repainting as expensive and time consuming. If you’re looking to sell, stick to neutral tones, it’s the house equivalent of wearing black to a fancy dinner.

DIY Bathroom Renovations

While redoing your bathroom yourself can save you money, let’s face it, it’s not easy. It will scream amateur if your tiles are poorly sealed, your fixtures don’t match, or your grout work isn’t even. A professional bathroom renovation has a better return on investment, but a DIY one poorly executed? Not so much.

Wall Removal Without a Plan

While open floor plans are hot, you can tear down walls without advanced planning and have it backfire. Some walls are load bearing and removing them can weaken the structure of your home. You might find that you’re spending more to fix it than what you saved by doing it yourself. While it might cost a little up front to consult a structural engineer, you’ll save yourself a lot of heartache down the line.

Custom Built-Ins Everywhere

Custom built ins may seem like a great way to get the most out of your space, but when you go overboard it can make your house feel too specific. And buyers like flexibility, so a house full of permanent built ins can inhibit their ability to personalize the space. Reserve the custom cabinetry for places where it really counts, such as the kitchen.

Permanent Carpeting

Worst Things Homeowners Say They Regret Spending Money On — Photo Credit: Manone_Design/Pixabay

Once upon a time, wall to wall carpet was a luxury, but no more. Hardwood or vinyl flooring is proving to be a favorite among most buyers these days, for its durability and style. If you carpet an entire home, buyers may be left trying to figure out how much it will cost to rip it out, instead of admiring your hard work.

Kitchen DIYs Gone Wrong

The heart of the home is the kitchen, which is also where DIY can go very wrong. Kitchens with cobbled together cabinets, countertops with uneven edges, or sloppy backsplash installations can cry money pit to buyers. If you’re taking on kitchen projects, go for easy updates such as painting cabinets or changing hardware.

Swimming Pools

Although this might come as a surprise, installing a pool isn’t always a slam dunk. Pools are great for summer parties, but can scare off buyers looking out for the maintenance the pool will require, the safety it poses and the extra costs.

Cheap Flooring Solutions

DIY Home Renovation Ideas Under $5000 — Image Credit: Kelly/Pexels

At first, peel and stick tiles or laminate flooring can look great, but they don’t age well. Cheap flooring is something that buyers can often spot from a mile away and may mentally take the cost of replacing it out of their offer.

DIY Plumbing Fixes

While you can fix a leaky faucet, you can get into real trouble trying to tackle major plumbing issues yourself. One of the largest red flags for buyers is water damage, and a small mistake like improperly sealed pipes can cause it. If it is anything more than basic repairs, call in the pros.

Knock-Off Smart Home Features

Smart home gadgets can be a selling point, but having low quality or out dated tech will backfire. Buyers don’t want to simply inherit a system that’s more frustrating than functional. If you’re upgrading, go with reputable brands and professionally installed systems.

Over-the-Top Room Conversions

While it might be fun to turn a spare room into a themed space (home theater, anyone?) or a pirate ship for the kids, it will alienate buyers. People want versatile rooms, for their needs, not your needs. Don’t go overboard with a little personality.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.