Tag Archives: cost

DIY or Not

How difficult are home improvement projects and how much can a handy homeowner save?

vanity

Replace a stone vanity countertop – A carpenter will install a new 61-inch wide granite top for $443. If you have carpentry experience, you can do the job for $300. The granite top is sold in two parts, a slab counter and separate bowl that you glue to the underside of the top before fastening it to the vanity base.

Will updating/upgrading your home add value? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

Read and see more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/home/chi-do-it-yourself-or-not-photos,0,5389313.photogallery

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Will Adding An Energy-Efficient Refrigerator Add Value to Your Home?

Unless you have a “built In” refrigerator like a subzero

and it is not moveable;  your refrigerator is considered personal property because it is not fixed to the land.   Most real estate appraisals do not consider personal property within their scope of work,  but if you have further questions you can contact the professional at www.socalappraisalserv.com.

What if you could add value in other ways?  What if you were able to cut your electric bills by buying an  energy-efficient refrigerator.  For example if you presently own a 16.5 – 18.9 cubic foot fridge with a top door freezer that is approximately 15 years old it costs you approximately $122 per year to run.  Now if you bought an Energy Star refrigerator that is comparable to yours your cost to run it per year would be approximately $59 a year.  That is a $63 dollar savings a year and over 10 years you could save more than $700.   A new refrigerator would also cut down on repair costs that may start to be an issue with a 15-year-old fridge; and let’s not forget the costs of spoiled food from the fridge breaking down.

If you would like to see what an equivalent exchange of your fridge would save you in electric costs per year go to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.calculator  and let it calculate the savings for you.

If you would like an estimate of what it would cost you to change out your old refrigerator to a energy-efficient refrigerator go to: http://www.nrel.gov/ap/retrofits/measures.cfm?gId=4&ctId=32

 

 

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