In the heart of Earlysville sits a fine brick ranch at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the Earlysville Heights neighborhood. Fifteen minutes from Charlottesville and five minutes to Hollymead Town Center, this home currently features three bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths. We asked Troy Yancey of Teal Construction to give us his contractor’s expertise on how to bring it up to date. Here are his recommendations.
685 Ridgemont Rd., Earlysville
$224,900,
MLS #519198
Master suite Part of the home is in the middle of a renovation, which will transform the construction area into a larger master bath. Off the master bath is another space that could be converted into a walk-in closet or a study. I would also convert the original master bath into a half-bath, with access added from the eat-in kitchen. Budget: Finish off the master bath: $10,000; Finish off the area to be a walk-in closet or study: $6,500; Create a half-bath from the previous master bath: $4,500; Total: $21,000
Kitchen In the eat-in kitchen area, there are two windows on the rear wall. I would remove this wall to open the room into the dining room that is off the screened porch. Currently, the only way to access this area is through the screened porch and then into this room. This change would allow for better and more formal entertaining. Budget: $5,500
Bedroom The front left side of the home has a former carport that was enclosed and converted into a bonus room. This space could easily be turned into a fourth bedroom by adding a closet. Keep in mind, though, that if you choose to create the fourth bedroom, you still have a three-bedroom septic system. Budget: $2,500
Flooring Finally, the vinyl kitchen and laundry room/office floors could be replaced with ceramic tile. Budget: $2,000 for each room Total: $33,000 will give you four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths—and still keep you under $260,000 total cost.