Investing in your home is always an excellent choice. A few tweaks here, a bit of DIY there, and it soon turns into your dream home. But, these improvements do not just add to the looks. They add to the price of a property to a larger or lesser extent. As one of the vital parts of your home, plumbing plays a crucial role in this calculation. Now, this is quite an extensive topic. Plumbing upgrades that increase the value of your home are many. Some of them demand a lot of time and resources to implement. This is why we decided to create this guide. With it, you will have a good baseline on where to start and what to focus on. 

Quality over quantity

Any type of home upgrade is a long-term investment. Plumbing is no different in this regard. It is something you want to last for quite a while—ideally, a lifetime. The good thing is that it is possible, but only if the upgrades are a work of quality. Seeing how some of these upgrades can be costly, it is essential to pay attention to every detail.

Your choice of plumbers will impact the quality of work

You don't want just anyone working on one of the essential parts of your home. Therefore, choose a company with a good track record, one that hires people with ample experience, honed skills, and proper equipment. This will maximize the quality of work and give you much-needed peace of mind as you won't worry if you made the right choice. 

Don’t go cheap on materials and supplies

Everything you save on materials and supplies – you'll spend later on repairs. Therefore, don't just go with the cheapest options. Remember – you're building something that's meant to last. So, try and find the right balance between quality and price. 

For extensive plumbing upgrades that improve the value of your home, you should even pay attention to seemingly minor things. For instance, packaging in which supplies and materials come in. They can get damaged during transport or if you're moving larger quantities. Therefore, you want to use quality materials to protect your possessions.

Eco-friendly plumbing upgrades that increase the value of your home also save money in the long run

Living in an eco-friendly environment is always beneficial, and it can cut the cost of utilities significantly, especially if you're viewing it long-term. Not to mention that you can add "eco-friendly" to the list of traits if you ever decide to sell. This will make your home far more appealing to potential buyers. Meaning: Sell faster and for more money! An ideal scenario, if there ever was one.

Bathroom upgrades are a good starting point

The bathroom is one of the most used areas of the home. Therefore, this is a good starting point if you’re considering upgrading. 

Toilets

Toilets are not objects that endure a gentle treatment from their users. They are quick to show signs of wear. So, think of replacing and upgrading them. It’s always good to go with eco-friendly variants, such as a dual-flush toilet. 

Faucets and fixtures

Upgrading faucets and fixtures is another excellent choice. However, here you have an added benefit of looks. If you select bathroom fixtures that fit your style, you will add a splash of luxury to your bathroom. And we all know how long showers and relaxing baths are much more enjoyable in cozy surroundings.

Upgrading your kitchen can make it more functional

The kitchen is the heart of the home. As such, any upgrade you make will be welcome. For the most part, these upgrades add utility to your kitchen. 

Pull-down faucets 

These are very practical and easy to use. A wide variety of designs can make them not only functional but aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, you get the functionality and the looks—a win-win.
Alternatively, you can opt for less popular counterparts:

• Pull-out faucets and;

• Side-spray faucets.

However, these don’t offer as much utility as pull-down faucets. Still, they can fit better in some kitchens, especially those with shallow sinks. 

Dual basin kitchen sink

Yet another plumbing upgrade that adds value and utility to your home. Yes, they do take additional space, but the convenience they provide is more than worth it. They are ideal for food preparation and washing dishes by hand. And the fact that garbage disposal is always accessible only adds to the value. 

Dishwasher

The dishwasher is an ideal addition to any home. The convenience and practicality of the dishwasher are undeniable. It's such a fantastic time and energy saver. Even if you love doing dishes by hand, one of these puppies will quickly change your mind. Therefore, it's a fantastic idea to install one in your kitchen. Opt for an eco-friendly variant for maximum value and effect. 

A new water heater is never a missed investment

Replacing an old water heater is one of the best upgrades you choose. Newer models are much more efficient, both in terms of energy usage and effectiveness. And, with tankless variants, you can save a lot of storage space. 

On the other hand, maybe your water heater works well. In this case, there's no need to replace it. However, you do want to ensure it remains impeccable. This doesn't add much value, but regular inspection and maintenance of the water heater by professionals will keep it working longer.

Insulate exposed pipes

This is the cheapest DIY-friendly upgrade you can do. Although it won't increase the value of your home by much, the sheer simplicity of the job makes it worthwhile. All it takes is a trip to the hardware store to get some pipe wraps. Installing them is a piece of cake, as all you need to do is, well – wrap the pipes. Et voila – you improved the efficiency of your plumbing system with minimal effort.

Fix or replace leaky faucets and pipes

Leaky faucets or pipes aren't just a minor inconvenience. They put additional strain on your plumbing system. And, if left unattended for a while, they can lead to a variety of issues, such as:

• Mold build-up;

• Ugly stains in the sinks, bathtubs, etc.;

• Caulk decay;

• Damage to ceilings, walls, and floors due to excessive moisture.

As you can see, some of these problems can have severe consequences. Therefore, it's imperative to find plumbing leaks and fix them ASAP. This upgrade should be among your top priorities.

Consider full pipe replacement in an older home

The vast majority of older homes still have metal pipes. Although working, they also present a potential health hazard depending on their age. These pipes are prone to corrosion, which severely undermines their integrity, and can cause them to burst at some point. And to top this list of negatives – old piping can severely undercut the value of your home. Appraisers don’t view them with kindness. 

Therefore, you should consider replacing old pipes at the first opportunity. However, bear in mind that this is a grand undertaking. It's the most expensive of all on our list and one that takes the most work. You will need to hire experienced professional plumbers to take care of it. Still, this upgrade alone is enough to vastly boost the efficiency of your plumbing and, more importantly, its safety.

Boost the value of your home before selling

If you are planning to sell your house and move out, plumbing upgrades can be an excellent way to increase the home's value. However, this will largely depend on the amount of time you have before the move. Therefore, it's essential to be well-organized. To this end, a simple checklist can be of immense help. It will help you prioritize the upgrades and plan the packing process carefully and to the maximum effect. With this in mind, it is best if you make two checklists—one for upgrades and the other for moving. Keep them on your person at all times, as they will be a great reminder and guide in the chaos of simultaneous home improvement and relocation.

Every upgrade makes your home a better place to live in

Plumbing upgrades that increase the value of your home are a long-term investment. However, they are a long-term project, too. Unless you’re dead-set on doing a full-home remodel, it’s best to take it one upgrade at a time. Yes, this can take a while. But, ultimately, it will improve the value and livability of your home. 

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry