Home Improvement Articles, resources and tips
Home Improvement
Interest in home improvement is at an all-time high thanks to a wealth of television shows on every channel from HGTV to A&E to ABC. But every homeowner should know a few things before starting any project, and researching for cost estimates.
First, some improvements have a higher rate of return than others, for example bathroom or kitchen remodeling. According to HGTV, minor changes in the kitchen return the most value at 81 percent of their total cost. Adding or remodeling a bath or a room came in second at 71 to 84 percent, while adding a bedroom or office ranks lowest and recoups only 50 percent of its cost at the resale. Updates and additions to the family room, master bedroom, patio cover, roofing, outdoor siding, windows, and deck rank in the middle.
Once a project has been decided upon, research for cost and estimates is key. The Internet has allowed consumers today to be more educated than ever, and information about products, materials, local companies, and design trends is just a click of the mouse away.
Similarly, hiring a qualified, reputable contractor is necessary for work that requires specialized knowledge. Depending on its scope, a home improvement remodeling project may use a variety of job titles including an architect, a designer, a contractor, an engineer, a plumber, an appraiser, and an inspector.
But the no pain, no gain certainly applies to home improvements. No matter how easy it may look on reality television, remodeling will cause major disruptions for several months. For example, if a kitchen or bathroom is being re-done, plans or blueprints will have to be made for where cooking will be done during construction. A little organization will go a long way toward making any project a success.
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