Home improvement is the repair, maintenance or renovation of residential real property. Such improvements may include remodeling a bathroom, kitchen or basement; installing a new roof, driveway or fence; adding a deck, patio or shed; changing insulation, repairing damaged walls and floors; painting; and more. The improvement may be done for aesthetic or practical reasons. For example, a homeowner may install a new kitchen or bathroom to improve the home’s resale value or a person may choose to remodel their living room for enjoyment.
The trend toward DIY (do-it-yourself) home improvement has grown with the advent of television shows such as Bob Vila and This Old House, allowing people to see how projects are done and gain confidence to try them themselves. Home-center chains such as Lowe’s and Home Depot cater to do-it-yourselfers by offering workshops, classes and online resources.
However, homeowners must be careful not to overspend on projects that don’t add value to the home. Before making any major changes, talk to a real estate professional or home inspector to learn what types of upgrades will add the most resale value. Also, take a walk around your neighborhood and see what types of upgrades are popular with other homeowners. If you see that most of your neighbors have a hot tub in their backyard, consider skipping that addition to save money and still enjoy the outdoors.