Folks are staying in their homes longer, and when that happens you know there will be things to fix and upgrade. The dilemma that strikes is in deciding whether or not the cost is worth it. If it only matters to you because you want it and don’t care about return on investment, then the issue is moot. If you are deciding on a remodeling project that is more want than need, then it’s always nice to know if the investment will bring you value down the road in terms of selling price.
You could hire someone to help you make that decision, but what if there was an app for that. Download Kukun: Home Remodel Costs & ROI and find out how informative and fun the app can be.
You can use it to prioritize and makes decisions on which projects to pursue and which to put aside. You can find professionals to help you execute on the projects, and make the right decisions that fit your budget, style and more.
The download is easy and free. You simply have to register using an email address. From there you can set up your property information. At first, you’d wonder why this app would not pertain to just your home, but imagine if you are real estate agent or if you own several rental properties. You can set up several property profiles and gain insights into each separately.
When entering data for a property, you add information about number bedrooms, number of bathrooms, living floor space, the number of levels, property size, whether or not there’s a pool or jacuzzi. This information gives you a rough estimate of the value of the property. This will be used later, of course, once you start entering data on the potential renovations and remodeling projects you have in mind.
From there you can add details on each room, such as dimensions, ceiling height and number of windows. Once you have details of your property in place, Kukun has everything it needs to give you estimates on any project you throw its way.
Basic functions of the app include:
- Estimate – get an idea of what a project could cost based on zip code
- Find A Pro – research professionals and contractors in specific areas
- My Projects – what you want to have done, with details on the changes you desire
- Request a Quote – soon to come!
To start, let’s say you want to remodel a bathroom. You have what is currently there. Now you go in and select that you will be starting a remodel project. Kukun will present a list of tasks that could be a possibility. You simply walk through the list and pick and choose what you will be doing. Details on flooring and such can also be entered. You also rate, “good, better, or best” the level of upgrade that you want on each item. After entering a zip code, Kukun will go out and estimate the bids you may receive based on rates in your area.
The app itself asks many of the questions that contractors would ask when providing a quote. So, you know that you are getting a pretty close estimate from Kukun, which allows you to make smarter decisions on projects you want to pursue.
I found most of the app to be extremely easy to use and helpful. What I would love to see is the option to add specific changes that I’d like to make on projects, rather than have them be a built in list of options you select/deselect.
Until then, I plan on entering lots of potential projects and look forward to the Request a Quote feature so I can get my home back on track.