By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Whether you’re looking to do upgrades to improve living conditions for your family or want to do repairs with plans to put your home on the market, upgrades usually mean added property value.
“If you’re looking to sell a home, it’s the little things that people forget – outlet covers, trim work – finishing touches are what a buyer’s eye goes to. We do find that price is relative” (to the upgrades done in a home), said Bill Levasseur, owner of Key Realty, of Presque Isle.
According to Levasseur, “buyers are savvy these days.”
“More are willing to pay more for a property. They don’t want to take the time to do the upgrades themselves. They want to move right in,” said Levasseur.
Whether it’s inside the home or in the front yard, Levasseur said improvements of any kind will help sell a house or just add value to the home. One popular option is stonework.
“Granite retains value and lasts longer,” if an individual is remodeling a kitchen or bath,” he said. “Kitchens and baths are number one.”
Businesses are taking note of such and offering services to meet the needs of customers interested in doing a home improvement project.
“I’m getting into countertops of all makes, a small cabinet line, in addition to the furniture and paint I already sell,” said Grant Spinney, owner of Spinney’s Color Center, in Presque Isle.
Spinney also offers painting and drywall services and has a number of local contractors he works with to provide plumbing, electrical and other services.
When it comes to stonework, Greg Doak’s Stone Art, of Washburn, offers the knowledge and experience to get the job done right. From retaining walls and walkways to fireplaces and hearths, Doak works with the home owner to come up with just the right design.
“The big trend is to use fireplace inserts rather than pre-cast. There are a wide variety of inserts out there.
Most people opt for a real stone hearth around fireplaces,” said Doak. “We get some nice material locally, from Winslow’s Flagstone, located in Mapleton.”
Doak said flagstones can be custom cut for homes.
“An added benefit is that it absorbs heat,” said Doak. “We also do custom mantelpieces for folks made of flagstone. The work can be done year-round.”
According to Doak, flagstone is readily available and comes in very large sizes.
“A project can be done out of a single piece of stone and carved very nicely,” Doak said. “That creates a smoother surface.”
With more homes featuring cathedral or vaulted ceilings, fireplace work can get expensive. Doak indicated in such cases a wooden casing can be used to keep costs down.
“We can do a wooden frame, covered with cultured stone, mortared onto a plywood backing. It gives the look of the real thing without the expense of stone,” said Doak.
Outside of the home, stonework can provide beauty as well as add an element of safety.
“Retaining walls help keep lawns from eroding. Properly designed steps made of stone last longer and reduce the risk of tripping from worn steps,” said Doak.
For nighttime strolls, a lit walkway not only adds value to a home but also provides a safer path, increasing visibility.
“Whether it’s around playgrounds, pools, walkways or trees, our lit curbing is affordable and adds an element of safety to the property,” said Michael Sullivan, owner of Innovative Landscape Designs LLC, of Fort Fairfield.
Sullivan’s product comes in a variety of colors and can be formed into just about any shape a client may want.
“The best thing about it is it’s customer designed,” said Sullivan. “It’s definitely not a cookie cutter approach to edging. Custom designs equal 100 percent satisfaction.”
As each home varies in value, so too will the upgrades. Upgrades often mean the difference between selling a property or having it sit for an extended period on the market.
“It depends on the property. Based on the quality of work and type of upgrade, it could speed up a sale,” said Levasseur. “The longer its on the market, the more it will cost you. It’s important to price the property right. Priced right, you’re gonna sell.”
And if you don’t have any intention of selling, upgrades can mean a more pleasant environment for family and friends.
“A large family will find life a lot simpler by adding a bathroom or creating an office space or family room. A patio or pool will add value and fun to the home as well,” said Levasseur. “Whether you want to keep your home or sell it, upgrades are definitely a plus and can add value too.”
