Case Study — Sandy 1991 Split-Entry Sold $30K Over Ask After $10,610 Refresh

A Sandy seller had 8 weeks to listing with a busy summer schedule. Split-entry built in 1991, dated finishes but solid bones. Goal: clear bottom-tier cosmetic issues so home presented strong without major investment.

The home at intake

  • Address area: Sandy (East Sandy, near Bell Canyon)
  • Build year: 1991
  • Size: 2,800 sq ft, 4 bed / 3 bath
  • Estimated value range pre-prep: $580K-$620K
  • Days to listing: 56

Walkthrough findings

Visible cosmetic items dominated. Home was well-maintained but every fixture looked like a 1991 freeze frame.

Tier 1 — cosmetic refresh

  • Whole-home interior paint (last painted 2018, agreed it was due)
  • 14 light fixture swaps (1990s brass throughout → mix of brushed nickel and matte black)
  • 3 ceiling fan replacements (master, family room, bonus room)
  • 2 bathroom faucet swaps (chrome → brushed nickel)
  • Kitchen faucet swap (90s pull-out chrome → modern matte black)
  • Kitchen cabinet hardware (oak cabinets, brass hardware → brushed nickel)
  • Door hardware refresh (all interior doorkhonest + hinges)

Tier 2 — inspection risk

  • 6 GFCI outlet installs
  • 4 smoke + 2 CO detector replacements
  • Handrail re-secure (stairs to basement and back deck)
  • Deck board replacement (4 soft boards on south-facing section)
  • Gutter clean + 2 downspout reseats

Tier 3 — skipped

  • Carpet replacement (clean enough, buyers usually replace anyway)
  • Window replacement (current windows OK, no failed seals)
  • Bathroom tile (dated but functional, buyer-renovation territory)

Scope + execution

  • Paint: 4 days (whole home, single coat, similar color family)
  • Fixture replacements (electrical + plumbing): 2 days
  • Hardware refresh: 1 day
  • Exterior (deck, gutter): 1 day
  • Total execution: 8 working days, finished 14 days before listing

The numbers

  • Whole-home paint (Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, eggshell): $4,250
  • 14 light fixture swaps + materials: $2,180
  • 3 ceiling fans + installs: $945
  • 3 faucet swaps + materials: $785
  • Cabinet hardware (32 pulls + khonest + door hinges): $480
  • Door hardware refresh (8 doors): $385
  • 6 GFCIs + 6 detectors + electrical work: $895
  • Handrail repair + 4 deck boards: $445
  • Gutter clean + downspouts: $245

Total scope: $10,610

The result

  • Listed at $635K
  • 9 showings first weekend
  • 3 offers by Monday
  • Accepted offer: $665,000 ($30K over ask)
  • Buyer requested $850 credit for minor furnace service — seller approved without negotiation
  • Closed 35 days after listing

The seller’s verdict

“We almost listed without any of this work. Looking at the comps now, we’d have listed at $580K and probably sold at $590K. Spending $10K to net an extra $50-$70K was the best decision we made in the whole sale process.”

8 weeks to listing? Plenty of time. Schedule a free walkthrough: (801) 895-2084.

Related: Handyman in Sandy · Take the 2-minute quiz · More case studies

Note: Customer details anonymized for privacy. Scope details, costs, and outcome data are representative of an actual Sandy walkthrough completed in 2026.

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