How Much Will That Project Cost?

Have you ever loved "that" home, but if only it had hardwood floors instead of carpet throughout. How much would that cost?

Some new online resources may help you gather quotes for you in a hurry. For example, HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide: http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/ can provide you with an idea of what you can expect to pay for projects in your area.

At the site, plug in the project you want to complete, along with your ZIP code. The tool then will list the average cost of the home improvement project or repair in their area based on what others have paid. You can see a breakdown of cost estimates from the low to high end as well as average. The site offers a searchable database to gather estimates for more than 300 types of home projects and repairs, whether you want to find the average cost of remodeling a bathroom, painting the home’s exterior, installing new windows or countertops, or more.

 Another cost estimating site, called Fixr:  http://www.fixr.com/ also offers estimates on various home improvement and remodeling projects — just plug in the project and find estimated costs as well as get access to a list of contractors in your area. The site also features cost guides to give you an overview of the price of tackling projects like kitchen and basement remodels as well as the costs of repairing siding, installing new windows, adding a porch or swimming pool, and more.

These tools allow home buyers to decide if the repair or renovation is within their budget, if they opt to buy the home. The tools may also come in handy for sellers in deciding whether they should invest in fix ups prior to listing their home for sale.

Source: Realtor Magazine by Melissa Tracey