Business
10 Home Renovations That Can Decrease the Value of Your Home
Published
4 years agoon
Considering a home renovation project? Not all projects add value. Here are 10 home renovation projects to avoid if you plan to sell.
Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should consider whether the project will pay itself off and get prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell.Getty Images
U.S. homeowners spent $420 billion in 2020 on remodeling their homes, according to the National Association of Realtors 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, but not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home.
Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should consider whether the project will pay itself off and get prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell. Here are some common home improvement projects to avoid because they could decrease the value of your home:
Too much wallpaper.
Built-in electronics.
Wall-to-wall carpeting.
Swimming pool.
Garage conversions.
DIY projects.
Bold colors.
Adding a sunroom.
Textured walls and ceilings.
Overdone landscaping.
Too Much Wallpaper
Wallpaper is making a comeback, but a pattern and color scheme that you love may not appeal to a majority of buyers. On average, installing wallpaper costs homeowners $800 to $1,200, but most spend about $1,000 for a 12-foot-by-18-foot room with standard vinyl wallpaper, according to home improvement information site Fixr. However, this cost likely won’t be recovered when it’s time to sell.
Father and son working on a construction project together
Plus, its removal is a notoriously time-consuming and messy job. “The quality deteriorates over time and most future owners of your home will want to remove it, which can be a cumbersome process,” says Alex Capozzolo, co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate, a company that purchases and flips properties in Philadelphia.
Built-In Electronics
While built-in electronics may be perfect for your home theater, it could turn away prospective buyers. Not only do gadgets eventually become outdated or even obsolete, but this type of personalization can lead to a decrease in home value.
Wall-To-Wall Carpeting
“If you have existing hardwood floors, don’t cover them with carpet. Most new homeowners prefer to remove carpets if they are of poor quality. Carpeting adds no value to a property,” Capozzolo explains.
According to NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report, the highest percentage cost recovered for interior home projects was from refinishing hardwood floors at 147%, and new wood flooring at 118%. This means if you spend $20,000 on new wood flooring, you could see $23,600 added to the sale price of your home. However, this also depends on the house as well as the type and design of the hardwood floors.
Swimming Pool
Unless you live somewhere that’s hot for a majority of the year, a swimming pool won’t add much, if any, value to your home. The average cost to build a pool is around $34,065, according to HomeAdvisor, but that doesn’t factor in the cost of ongoing maintenance, which can range from $500 to $4,000 per year, and the potential increase to your homeowners insurance policy for increased liability. At the very most, a pool could increase your home’s value by 7%, according to home improvement advice site Houselogic.
Garage Conversions
Most homeowners spend between $5,700 and $22,600 to convert a garage into a livable space, according to home services directory and information company Angi, but this renovation project typically doesn’t add value to the home.
“Keep the garage as is,” Capozzolo says. “As a homeowner, it’s tempting to convert your garage into a studio and rent it out or turn it into a home gym. If you alter the garage layout too much, it can lose its value in the eyes of homebuyers searching for a property with a garage to park their cars in.”
DIY Projects
DIY renovation projects can be a great budget-friendly option to add value, but if a buyer notices, it may not always be a good thing. Even simple DIY home improvement projects can go horribly wrong. Spending the extra money to have the job done well could get you a better return on your investment.
Bold Colors
Painting is one of the most common DIY projects for homeowners with a painting project ranging between $949 and $2,915, according to HomeAdvisor. A fresh coat of paint is a good way to increase your home’s final sale price, but some buyers tend to stay away from bright, dark or bold colors. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option to spruce up your home, choose neutral colors to transform the space and give each room a clean, fresh look.
Adding a Sunroom
The average cost to build a sunroom addition is about $30,000 or $25 per square foot for uninsulated spaces and up to $300 per square foot for a four-season sunroom, according to HomeAdvisor, making it one of the most expensive home improvement projects. A sunroom can seem like a good alternative to a larger home addition, but you won’t get the same return on investment. Unlike a full-room addition, sunrooms often aren’t included in a home’s square footage, which appraisers use to determine the value of a home.
Textured Walls and Ceilings
Removing texture on walls and ceilings is a difficult project, which can potentially lead to lower offers when it’s time to sell. Removing a popcorn ceiling costs homeowners between $899 and $2,862, or $1 to $2 per square foot, depending on the cost of labor and the size of the room, according to HomeAdvisor. However, asbestos, which is common in popcorn ceilings done in the 1980s or before, and structural issues can complicate the project.
Overdone Landscaping
Beautiful landscaping can help boost curb appeal and get more prospective buyers in the front door, but costly and overdone landscaping could be a concern. Not only is the attractiveness of decorative additions subjective, but buyers could see it as too difficult to maintain.
How Should Homeowners Decide if a Renovation Is Worth the Cost?
Before jumping into your next home renovation, Capozzolo says to consider the quality of life impact as well as the financial impact of the project. “If a renovation genuinely checks one of the boxes, you should consider doing it,” Capozzolo says.
“For example, painting the interior of your home with a nonneutral color will likely add zero value to your home because there’s a good chance the next owner of the property will repaint it with a different color,” Capozzolo explains. “For larger homes, painting the entire interior of your home can cost over $1,000. However, if this renovation increases your quality of life by a lot, you should highly consider it.”
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Sedabuk Oil and Gas Ranks Among Africa’s 100 Safest Companies
Published
2 months agoon
January 13, 2026Sedabuk Oil and Gas Industry Limited has been listed among the 100 Safe Companies to Do Business With in Africa for 2025 by Emerging Elites Magazine International, in recognition of the firm’s integrity-driven operations, strict compliance culture, and employee-focused policies.
The award was presented to the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Adunola Oseni, at a ceremony attended by members of Sedabuk’s management and staff, alongside the editorial board and team of Emerging Elites Magazine in Lagos.
Presenting the award, the Editor-in-Chief of Emerging Elites Magazine International, Princess Olivia Chukwuma, said Sedabuk emerged after a “thorough, transparent and merit-based selection process” designed to identify African businesses that exemplify excellence and ethical conduct.
According to her, the 100 Safe Companies to Do Business With in Africa Award is an international initiative created to recognise indigenous African companies with proven records of integrity, safety, and best business practices, noting that awardees are continuously monitored and recertified every three years if standards are sustained.
The MD of Sedabuk Oil and Gas Industry Limited, Engr. Adunola Oseni, poses with the Certificate of Award shortly after the company was recognised among Africa’s 100 safest companies to do business with.
Chukwuma said Sedabuk was selected for its employee-centric culture, stressing that the company has no record of unpaid salaries since inception, maintains fair wages, and prioritises staff welfare through initiatives such as its “One Nutritional Meal a Day” programme, which she described as “rare and commendable” in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
She also cited the firm’s zero-tolerance policy for fraud, recalling a June 2022 incident in which a pump attendant was sanctioned for under-dispensing fuel while affected customers were compensated, an action she said “clearly reflects Sedabuk’s philosophy of integrity in service delivery.”
Other factors that earned the company the award, she said, include its reputation for honouring contracts, absence of contract-related court cases, strict adherence to safety standards, and voluntary compliance with regulatory obligations, taxes, and statutory dues without coercion.
“With these attributes and more, Sedabuk Oil and Gas has become a beacon of hope—a new breed of Nigerian company that is trustworthy, valuable, and safe to do business with,” Chukwuma said, as she inducted the firm into the Hall of Fame of the 100 Businesses Safe to Do Business With in Africa 2025.
MD, Engr.Adunola Oseni and staff of Sedabuk Oil and Gas Industry Limited during the presentation of a Certificate of Award by The Emerging Elites Magazine International, honouring the company’s adherence to safety standards and best business practices.
Responding, the Managing Director, Engr. Adunola Oseni described the recognition as “a validation of our core values and a strong motivation to do more,” adding that the award belonged to the entire workforce of the company.
“We will continue to uphold integrity, safety, and transparency in all our operations, remain committed to staff welfare and regulatory compliance, and set standards that others in the industry can emulate,” the Sedabuk boss said.
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Sedabuk Oil & Gas Rewards Staff with Over ₦10m, Deepens Welfare Culture
Published
2 months agoon
January 7, 2026
Sedabuk Oil and Gas Industry on Tuesday reinforced its reputation as a people-centred organisation as it rewarded outstanding employees with cash prizes totalling over ₦10 million at its 2025 Employee Recognition and Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
The event, which attracted over 300 staff members alongside top management officials from across the company’s divisions and subsidiaries, was organised to celebrate excellence, dedication, and loyalty within the Sedabuk workforce.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director, Engr. Adunola Oseni, described the occasion as one of the proudest moments in the company’s journey, noting that Sedabuk’s steady growth has been deliberately anchored on staff welfare and well-being. She said the company, from inception, made a firm commitment to put its people first, stressing that no organisation can truly thrive if its workforce is neglected.
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Oseni disclosed that Sedabuk has never owed or delayed salaries since it commenced operations, describing prompt payment as a mark of respect and responsibility. She added that the company reviewed and increased salaries twice in 2025, improved wages across the board, and sustained its seven-year-old One-Day-Meal Programme to ensure employees do not work hungry.
The managing director announced cash awards spanning retail operations, station-based roles, marts, laundromats, and group-wide excellence categories, explaining that the initiative was not just about financial rewards but about recognising hard work and reinforcing a culture of appreciation. According to her, a loyal and motivated workforce remains the company’s most valuable asset.
She assured staff that management is entering 2026 with stronger welfare policies, better incentives, and more opportunities, with the aim of positioning Sedabuk as one of the best organisations to work in Nigeria. Oseni further urged employees to raise the bar in the coming year by working harder, smarter, and together.
Several employees emerged winners across key categories, including Pump Attendant of the Year, Station Captain of the Year, Mart and Laundromat Excellence Awards, and Special Recognition honours.
The highlight of the ceremony was the Group Chairman’s Spirit of Excellence Award, where Adediran Segun Aderonke emerged Sedabuk Star of the Year with a ₦2 million prize, while Ibiloye Olayinka won the Most Outstanding Employee of the Year award with ₦1 million.
In his remarks, the Group Head, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Adeleye Olusanjo, lauded the managing director for her consistent leadership and unwavering commitment to staff welfare, assuring employees that more incentives and improved support structures are already being planned for 2026.
The event was attended by senior executives, including the General Manager, Finance and Strategy, Mr. Aderoju Sola; the Group Head, Operations and Logistics, Mr. Rufus Enioshunwa; and the Group Head, Corporate Audit, Risks and Ethics, Mrs. Tolulope Omotola, among others.
Established in 2018, Sedabuk Oil & Gas Industry Ltd operates over 12 petrol stations across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
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SEC Flags Zugacoin, Samzuga GPT as Fraud Risks, Warns Nigerians
Published
9 months agoon
June 20, 2025By
adminThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has raised a red flag over two cryptocurrency products — Zugacoin and Samzuga GPT — warning the Nigerian public to steer clear of them.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the apex capital market regulator described the digital assets as unauthorised crypto schemes with no legal backing or regulatory approval in Nigeria.
According to the Commission, neither the promoters nor issuers of Zugacoin and Samzuga GPT are registered to operate in any capacity within the Nigerian capital market.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Zugacoin and Samzuga GPT are meme coins,” the SEC said. “Meme coins generally have no use case, intrinsic value, or tangible projects backing them.”
The regulator added that the only perceived value of such coins often stems from aggressive promotion by their creators or community hype, making them prime candidates for “pump-and-dump” fraud — a deceptive scheme where promoters artificially inflate the price of a coin through misleading information before dumping it at peak value, leaving unsuspecting investors with massive losses.
“Once the promoters dump their coins and stop hyping the coin, the coin price typically falls and investors lose money,” the SEC warned.
The Commission urged members of the public to avoid engaging in the purchase or promotion of Zugacoin, Samzuga GPT, or any similar crypto assets, noting that anyone who chooses to invest in such schemes does so entirely at their own risk.
To further safeguard investors, the SEC advised the public to always verify the legitimacy of any virtual, crypto, or digital assets and their promoters through its official platforms:
https://home.sec.gov.ng/fintech-and-innovation-hub-finport/registered-fintech-operators/
www.sec.gov.ng/cmos
This warning is the latest in the SEC’s ongoing crackdown on fraudulent digital asset operations targeting unsuspecting Nigerians amid a rise in crypto-related scams.
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