Bathroom Remodel vs New Siding (1 Viewer)

[Man in the yellow hat]

Just starting to go down this path at our house. It is a 3 bedroom ranch with 1.5 baths. We've been updating a lot over the last 5 years, including:

• Basement remodel (new carpet and tile)
  
• Laundry room remodel (new tile and cabinets)
  
• Sun room (new flooring and windows)
  
• Bedroom 1, youngest son (new carpet, closet redo, paint)
  
• Living room new carpet
  
• New roof last year
  

Now we're on to the next project. 

Our siding is really old wood, and it's starting to peal paint on the south facing side. It's not in very good shape at all.

We have one full bathroom upstairs, and it is very old. Old wood panel walls. Bad colored laminate. A custom vanity that is starting to warp and discolor.

If you could take on one project yet this year, would it be the bathroom or the siding?

Also, as our three kids have gotten older, we've found that one full bathroom isn't going to cut it. We're also considering adding another full bath, which is very expensive. Or, we're considering a move to a new house. 

My wife loves our location, but I keep telling I'd prefer a move in the next year over trying to fit an extra bath into this place.

Any thoughts? Are we better off upping the bathroom's game then either selling or taking on siding project later? Or, would you do siding and leave the bathroom?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Facing similar choices here with repairs. I would do the bathroom first, get use out of it, you can't use the siding. Then do the siding just before you put the house up.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Bathroom first, cover side of house with two coats of Nutella which will last four or five years. 

 

[sho nuff]

If thinking of selling...Curb appeal can be big.

However, can it be "covered" up in a way cheaper than the bathroom.  Talk to someone in real estate.  Better to slap a coat of paint on the outside for the curb appeal, and redo the bathroom as a selling point?

I would think that would make more sense in terms of selling.

 

[Chadstroma]

In terms of what sells houses bathrooms are ahead of siding. Easily.

 

[ChiefD]

Bathroom. Kitchens and baths sell houses. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Bathroom. Kitchens and baths sell houses. 

Think of it this way.... your wife likes a house and you don't versus a house you like and she doesn't.... which wins out? Go with what chicks like- Kitchens and baths.

 

[Cjw_55106]

Bath...no question. 

 

[FUBAR]

In the hottest housing markets, springing for a kitchen or bath remodel is a sure-fire investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost.

OTOH:

Even in hot housing markets, the old saw holds true: "If people drive by your home and are not impressed they're not going to walk inside," says **** Gaylord, who has sold real estate for 27 years.

"If I were going to spend money on a property, I would really work on making sure the curb appeal is strong," says realtor Ron Phipps. Phipps suggests adding a front porch to create interest to the exterior of a flat house, for instance. "You really want to convey a sense of welcome," he says. "If all your remodeling is on the inside but the outside of the house is challenging, you'll never have a chance to even show the inside

Do both!

 

[Chadstroma]

In the hottest housing markets, springing for a kitchen or bath remodel is a sure-fire investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost.

OTOH:

Do both!

I don't think that that is as true as it use to be. Back in the day you couldn't see pictures of the place as easily as you can now. So, you wouldn't waste your time if the place looked like it needed help outside. I know when I was house hunting, there was not a house we looked at that I had not already looked through pictures on.

 

[FUBAR]

I don't think that that is as true as it use to be. Back in the day you couldn't see pictures of the place as easily as you can now. So, you wouldn't waste your time if the place looked like it needed help outside. I know when I was house hunting, there was not a house we looked at that I had not already looked through pictures on.

True.  Although I think if we were looking to buy and saw the outside wasn't good, we'd be looking for a sweet deal unless we loved the location. 

We're different though as we lived in our house 9 months before buying it.

 

[NutterButter]

We talking hiring someone to do it?   Definitely the bathroom.   Honestly, installing vinyl siding is ridiculously easy.   You literally need a hammer, nails, a pair of scissors and a tape measure.  Depending on how you want to handle the trim around windows and door, you might have to rent a siding brake to get nice clean lines.  That's it.  You can put it right over the wood you have now.  You can do it at whatever pace suits you unlike a bathroom which might be needed by the whole house.  Probably looking at a few grand in material costs from HD.   

 

[Chadstroma]

True.  Although I think if we were looking to buy and saw the outside wasn't good, we'd be looking for a sweet deal unless we loved the location. 

We're different though as we lived in our house 9 months before buying it.

That should already reflect in the asking price or else you are asking too much.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Thanks for the thoughts on this everyone.

Siding contractor was supposed to be at my place by 6:30 last night to discuss a quote. Their office called and said he'd be late. One our later he was still not there. We called and told him not to bother coming, as we had a list of places to be and couldn't wait all night.

In any case, I'm thinking bathroom by a pro might be the way to go. I'm thinking I might be able to handle siding myself.

 

[Peak]

Went down this same path recently.  Received quotes for both a bathroom remodel and new siding.  We decided upon the bathroom remodel.  Our siding was good enough to last one more year, and we knew the bathroom would be a solid investment.  Not looking to move/sell at this time - but push come to shove, we would at least get our money back in the bathroom remodel.

 

[dozer]

Siding may help sell your house, but upgraded bathrooms add value.