Though renovating your home can be an exciting process, any home project can also bring stress and financial worry. Naturally, you only want to renovate your home when the time is right. Trying to transform your bathroom or rip down kitchen walls requires proper motivation, and if you’re not 100% committed to the project and prepared for the work, problems can ensue.

Though the decision to renovate is entirely yours, do yourself a favor, and only start a project when your family, life, and budget are ready. Not sure if the time is right? Here are three common signs that your home needs an upgrade, stat:

You’ve Decided to Sell or Stay

Generally, homeownership is a long-term commitment. Though loan terms vary, most fixed-rate mortgages last either 15 or 30 years. As such, it can be hard to decide to leave or stay in a home you’ve had for so long. But, if you’ve made up your mind, it might be time to renovate.

Why? If you’ve decided to sell your property, renovations can increase your home’s value before you put it on the market. Alternatively, if you’ve decided to stay, you want to have the home of your dreams now, and not in some distant future. Renovating your forever home will make you more satisfied with its features for a longer period of time. Additionally, if you’re approaching retirement, upgrading to user-friendly appliances can make your space more accommodating as you age.

The Outside Keeps Getting In

Does the roof leak? Is your basement constantly flooding? Have termites or mice invaded your home? A house that cannot properly shelter its residents urgently needs renovations and repairs. In fact, such functional problems are among the top reasons homeowners renovate in the first place, with 20% of all insurance claims being related to water damage. Unfortunately, these kinds of problems only get worse with time. If your home is having trouble staying warm and dry, definitely consider renovations.

It Just Looks Outdated (And You Hate It)

If simply walking through your home irritates you because the style is offensive, take the leap and renovate. Truly despising the way your home looks means that any renovations you perform will definitely be an improvement. Though making decisions based on aesthetics alone can seem impractical, remember that renovations are also investments. If you dislike your home’s interior, chances are, so will potential buyers.

For longevity, consider redecorating with a neutral color scheme. Creams, beiges, and grays pair well with almost any color accents, which makes updating a room’s style quite simple. You won’t have to repaint or choose new flooring every few years. And, as over a third of survey respondents would redecorate with neutral colors, potential buyers would probably approve, should you decide to sell later on.

Renovations can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not sure if remodeling is a good choice. If you’ve experienced any of the above scenarios, your home is ready for a transformation. Dive into a new renovations project to craft the home you’ve been waiting for!