Home improvement

Home improvement can be defined as modifying the existing structure of one’s home by making additions and making changes. Mostly a professional technician is recruited however, sometimes; the home improvement is done on a non professional and an amateur basis by the home owner.

As mentioned above, there are two ways of going about the process of home improvement. The first id the professional and the second is the do it your self (DIY) method. In the professional method you could hire a general contractor to be in charge of the whole home improvement project. On the other hand you could do away with the contractor and ‘do it yourself (DIY). You will need to hire the plumbers, electricians, roofers etc yourself.

There are endless types of works in home improvement that you could do. To begin with the walls could be wall papered, or painted. Wood paneling can also be installed on it. New flooring, such as linoleum, hardwood flooring, and tiling can be installed. The kitchen and bathroom sink, cabinets, and pipes can be replaced with new ones. The electrical and plumbing systems could be upgraded. As also the heating and the air conditioning systems.

Similarly other home improvement projects that could be undertaken are the tearing and replacement of the roof, repairing the foundation and the chimney if required, waterproofing the basements etc. these are only a few of the home improvement projects mentioned here.

By: Tej Sharma

Most of the time, home improvement projects are costly. In some cases, people resort to tapping their savings to be able to get some home improvements done. This can be very hurtful to ones pockets. In some cases, people resort to getting home improvement loans which can sometimes drag your budget off track and getting you more buried in debt than ever.

However, you should not be in desperation, there are different ways of doing home improvements without spending too much money. Money is a resource that’s very important and should be spent in more important things like the education of your children and emergency situations like sicknesses.

Here are some tips on how homeowners can do home improvement programs the cheap way:

1. Know what you want

Many people hire contractors to do home improvement jobs for them precisely because they do not know what they would want to do with their homes. Consulting these professionals can really hurt your pockets only to find out later that you don’t want what they have done to your house.

You can use different home improvement magazines, watch some television shows regarding home improvements or even look around in other people’s homes to be able to get some ideas regarding what you would want to do with your house. These ideas can be put on paper in drawings or in short descriptions.

2. Feasibility

There are many ways of improving your home. YOU should think about the feasibility of home improvement projects before undertaking them.

3. Rearranging

Changing the arrangements in your house can be considered as home improvement projects. Putting your furniture in good and new positions can be a good way to change the overall ambience of the house.

4. Change the color scheme

Colors have big roles in terms of giving the home a good ambience. If you are getting bored with the overall ambience of your house, you can do some repainting jobs yourself. YOU can also involve the other members of the family and this will make the job easier and more fun.

5. Be green

Putting in plants into the overall scheme of home improvement is a good way to give the house a fresher look. Plants add warmth and freshness to every home. If you are clumsy when it comes to plants, you can use synthetic plants as well.

These are just some tips on how to achieve a better home with lesser budget. However, a cheaper way doesn’t equate to a less effective way. The more important thing is that you enjoy your house and feel comfortable with it.

By: Bill McRea

In many cases, when homeowners are interested in home improvement projects, professionals are hired to improve the home. There are, however, a lot of people who prefer the do-it-yourself approach for improving their own homes.

Home improvement may be done individually or with the help of professionals through consultations. Also, a lot of home improvement stores offer efficient tools and kits and even lessons for the do-it-yourself individual.

Homeowners may hire general contractors to supervise home improvement projects. These contractors perform multiple tasks in managing the resources to be used and the people who will be working on the project, providing site access, removing debris after the project, and even performing some the tasks needed for the project. They are also in charge of hiring specialized workers such as plumbers, electricians, or roofers, although homeowners may actually opt to hire these workers themselves.

Different Types of Home Improvement

Improving one’s home varies from house to house; it may depend on what part or area of the house is to be refurbished. Improvement may be as simple as applying wallpaper or painting the walls, or it can be installing wood paneling on the walls. It can also included improving flooring by such means as installing carpet, tile, linoleum, or wood parquet, or even installing solid hardwood flooring. Upgrading cabinets, adding shelves, changing fixtures, and replacing sinks in the kitchen and the bathroom are also home improvement projects. Even repairing or adding to existing plumbing and electrical systems are considered home improvement. Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in the home and waterproofing and roof replacement are also ways of improving the home. Installing or replacing doors and windows, turning marginal areas into livable spaces as well as reducing utilities through insulation and solar paneling are still other ways of refurbishing the home. In general, anything that is employed to improve and beautify or make the home or a space in the house more functional may well be considered to be a home improvement project.

By: Alison Cole

For various home improvement projects, especially those that involve using concrete, most homeowners get the services of concrete contractors, as they are more knowledgeable in the process of such home improvements. However, given that there is quite a number of contractors who offer their services, finding the right contractor can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, doing an adequate amount of research can make the search a lot easier as you can be armed with the information that you need to help you pick the best contractor for your building needs. This research involves employing the same strategies used in canvassing for services from a number of companies that offer them.

Doing the research

One of the best ways to canvass for a contractor is to go online because doing so can allow you to browse through quite a lot of web sites of contractors that offer their services, which also allows you to compare other things like their rates. However, fully trusting the information placed on web sites may not be the best way to pick a contractor because just reading about them cannot give you a feel of how they work and on the type of service they provide.

To be able to get more information, you may need to get referrals from friends and family about a certain contractor that they have used in the past. This is because getting first-hand information from a friend or a relative can give you a feel of how these contractors work and provide their services. Apart from this, doing so also assures you that you would get advice from people who really wish to help you get the right contractor.

Apart from your friends and your relatives, another good source of information is to research about a contractor with regard to the associations and other affiliations they may have. This is because being a member of some of the most prestigious contractor’s associations can give you the assurance that the contractor provides quality work.

Getting the right concrete contractor can be a challenge given that there are a large number of contractors that provide their services, especially on the Internet. Given this, there are other steps you could to take, which includes asking for referrals from family and friends, to help you search for the that right concrete contractor for your building needs.

By: Kevin Stith

Although a major home improvement can prove to be a rewarding project, it can also turn your life upside down if you are not prepared. I’ve heard of some worst case scenarios involving people who have lost their homes because they got in over their heads and others who ended up with incomplete project nightmares that cost them thousands of dollars to correct.

Following is a list of the top ten mistakes homeowners make when undertaking home improvement projects and tips on how to avoid them:

1. References. Do enough research and background checking to satisfy you. Walk away if the contractor is not willing to provide references from former clients. Do an online search of the contractor’s business and personal name. Check with local courts for judgments filed against them and with the Better Business Bureau for any consumer complaints. Look at previous work completed (in person). Check with material suppliers since a good contractor will have a long-standing relationship with suppliers. Contact other contractors who have worked with them before. Check their credit standing – contractors with bad credit are often disorganized and don’t manage their business well. Inquire about insurance, workers compensation and licensing.

2. Project management. You need one person to help you manage your project. Most issues occur when inexperienced homeowners try to manage their own project. A project manager is a single point of contact between the homeowner and other contractors and is responsible for scheduling and workflow.

3. Contracts. Make sure your contract is solid. As obvious as this may sound, failure to get a contract or signing an incomplete contract is one of the most common mistakes. Put all the details in writing – never take someone’s word for it. Following are items that should be included in the contract: (1) the full name of the company and the person you are doing business with and their contact information, (2) an addendum consisting of the complete set of plans, (3) an addendum consisting of the materials to be used, (4) the price of the goods or services, (5) the manner and terms of payment, (6) a description of the work to be performed, (7) a start date and an estimated completion date, (8) a default clause in the event either party defaults that specifies how damages will be calculated, (9) warranties and (10) signatures.

4. Warranties. Make sure you receive a warranty with detailed terms and conditions. Don’t accept a contract that simply states that all work is guaranteed. There is often confusion as to who is responsible for the warranty. Get the following in writing: (1) Who is backing the warranty? (2) What is covered and what is not covered? (3) How long is the warranty valid for? (4) What can void the warranty? (5) What is the process for placing a warranty claim?

5. Changes. During the project, you may change your mind on certain design aspects which may require more or less work from contractors. It is critical to document every change order and note the exact cost or savings. Changes should be signed and dated by all parties.

6. Plans. Get a clear description on what will be done, how it will be done and the materials to be used. For smaller projects, contractors can draw up plans. For larger and more complicated projects, find a qualified designer or architect. And, for example, if load-bearing walls will be altered, find an engineer to review the structural side of the plans.

7. Costs. Estimating costs tends to be a big problem because people do not make realistic comparisons. Homeowners may hire the contractor with the lowest price but that price may turn out to be much higher in the end. “Allowance items” tend to be the main culprit in estimating costs. For example, contractors may give you allowances for flooring, lighting or hardware that are artificially low. The bid looks enticing until you examine it closely. Request a line item for straight costs on materials and labor since some contractors mark up materials and labor so they can make a profit on it. Ask the contractor to pass along costs to you and to add a line item for their fee. This creates a more clear and honest assessment of the job.

8. Financing and payments. Before signing the contract, figure out how you are going to pay for your home improvement project. Make sure you maintain control of the money – don’t let your project manager or contractor control the money. This sounds obvious but many homeowners allow contractors to make draws on construction accounts only to realize that the draws were not used for the intended purpose. What does this mean? It means your contractor scored a new truck, you’re out of money and the project is incomplete. Tips: (1) don’t pay a lot of money up front, (2) pay when materials are delivered, (3) pay when work begins and (4) pay as work progresses. Pay only after work and materials are inspected and approved.

9. Inspections. Don’t wait until your home improvement project is almost complete to do the inspection. Plan phased inspections along the way so work doesn’t need to be re-done. Don’t rely on city and county building inspectors to protect you since the codes they enforce don’t guarantee quality (and they often miss things too!). Before paying for work, hire an independent inspector to do periodic phase inspections.

10. Materials. Stick with products that are tried and true. This rule especially holds true when it comes to windows, doors, framing materials, roofing products, concrete coverings, epoxy floors, plumbing, light fixtures and electronics. You don’t want to be the guinea pig that test runs the supposed latest and greatest new products or materials only to find out that these items don’t last or turn out to be fire hazards!

By: Hilary Basile

Opportunity and danger are two sides of the same coin. Home improvement projects offer the opportunity to enjoy your home and to increase its value. Such projects; however, present the danger of personal injury, property damage, and unexpected expense if the work contains construction defects. Here are some steps you should take to maximize the opportunity and minimize the danger of home improvement projects. This article addresses common construction defects in exterior projects involving gas pipes and electrical wires. Related articles cover other construction defects.

1. Do your homework. People research many major purchases; but they spend thousands of dollars on home improvements with little or no research about avoiding construction defects or about hiring a qualified and reliable contractor. Information that can help homeowners is available from many sources. Books explain basic construction and building code concepts in plain language. Manufacturer’s installation instructions for many products are available on the internet. This does not mean that you need to become a construction expert before you embark on a home improvement project. You can and should; however, become educated so that you can recognize common construction defects. Being able to recognize construction defects puts the contractor on notice that you are an informed consumer.

2. Use only licensed and experienced contractors. Verify the status of the contractor’s license and whether any complaints have been filed against the contractor. Complaints against a contractor are not always a deal killer, but they are a red flag that requires more investigation. Obtain references from the contractor and contact them. Use at least one reference from a project completed over one year ago to help you determine the contractor’s response to warranty issues.

3. Obtain a building permit, if required. A building permit is usually required if new electrical circuits, water pipes, or gas pipes are installed or if there are significant additions or changes to any of these systems. A permit is usually required when adding to or making structural changes to a building. A permit is an inexpensive way to get inspections of the work by a qualified third party. It may also reduce your potential liability if a problem occurs. The contractor should obtain the permit. If the contractor is reluctant to obtain a permit, this is a red flag. The contractor may not be licensed to do the work, or he may have other problems that you may want to know about.

4. Look for common construction defects. Here are some examples of common construction defects in exterior home improvement projects.

Failure to bury gas pipes and electrical wires at required depth. Digging around buried gas pipes and electrical wires can damage them and cause gas leaks and electrical shocks. Bury most gas pipes at least twelve inches below the finished dirt level. Bury electrical wires at least twelve inches if the wires are ground fault circuit protected. Bury wires enclosed in metal conduit at least six inches. Bury most other electrical wires at least eighteen inches.

Failure to place electrical receptacles on a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit when required. This is an electrical shock hazard. Place all exterior receptacles and all receptacles in garages on a GFCI protected circuit.

Failure to properly install and protect electrical wires. This is an electrical shock hazard if the wires become loose or damaged. Place most exposed and accessible electrical wires in approved conduit. Place electrical connections and wire splices in a covered electrical junction box. Electrical wires that are installed outdoors or that are buried must be approved for these uses.

Failure to protect gas pipes from corrosion. Corroded gas pipes can leak. Protect gas pipes against corrosion when they are in contact with the ground and when they are in contact with masonry and concrete. The gray paint on gas pipes around gas meters and pipe wrap tape are common corrosion protection methods.

Failure to properly install gas appliance flexible connectors. This is a gas leak hazard. Flexible connectors are the yellow (one common color) flexible tubes that you see between the rigid gas pipe and a gas water heater. These connectors are intended to connect one rigid gas pipe to one gas appliance. You should be able to move the connector at least two inches at the center of the connector. A connector that cannot be moved and is too tight strains gas connections at the pipe and at the appliance. The connector should not have a bend with a radius smaller than 1 ? inches. A tight radius bend can weaken the connector and reduce gas flow.

Seize the opportunity to beautify and improve your home; but be aware of the dangers that such projects present and empower yourself to avoid these dangers.

By: Bruce A. Barker

The popularity of HGTV (Home & Garden Television) has created a
thriving market in do-it-yourself home improvement and interior
decorating. All sectors of the home improvement industry have
benefited since HGTV started airing in 1975.

The real estate boom was followed by a home improvement boom.
People would buy a old house and want to redecorate the house
from floor to ceiling. People who had lived in their houses for
a while wanted new kitchen cabinets. The home improvement shows
were an impetus for a massive movement by homeowners to start a
remodeling revolution

The home improvements that people take on include makeovers from
the attic to the basement. They perform functional repairs like
fixing a leaky roof, replacing windows, and adding more room to the
house. Then there are the projects that are just for the
beautification of the home like updating kitchen, remodeling a
master bedroom.

Some people use home improvement as a creative outlet. They paint
and redesign just for the satisfaction of improving their living
space. HGTV has been a large contributor to the home improvement
revival.

HGTV reaches 89 million households every week and over 800,000
nightly prime time viewers. The format of the show has been copied
several times and spin offs like Trading
Spaces, Extreme Makeovers. Viewers sit for hours watching
“Design on a Dime” “Devine Design”, “Landscapers Challenge”.
The home improvement shows just keep coming.

HGTV provides instructions for thousands of home improvement projects.
They provide video clips for everything from garden projects to
constructing a bed. HGTV is the one-stop resource for finding anything
you need for expert help with “doing it yourself” projects.

HGTV makes home improvement look easy and fun. HGTV gives viewers
new ideas and inspires the week end warrior to do some type of home
improvement project. HGTV mission is “to provide ideas, information,
and inspiration for decorating and home improvement”.

The impact that HGTV has on home improvement can be measured in these
statistics.

Furniture sales grew by 75%, between Between 1995-2005
Sales of home furnishings increased 97% in this same period.

These items included soft goods as well, carpets, lamps, area rugs,
linens, glassware

People all over the country are decorating their homes to look like
these superbly beautiful fantasy creations that they view on HGTV.
If you are not a “do it yourselfer” you can just imagine the way your

home might look when you go on tours of million dollar home all
across the country. You see people who look like you making grand
improvements to shacks that end up looking like your dream home.

HGTV has had a dramatic impact on the home improvement industry
because HGTV appeals to the age group of people who have the money
to pay for major home improvement projects. The demographics of the
typical HGTV is a female age 35-64 years old. Over 70% of HGTV
viewers are females.
That means that the female viewers are encouraging husband, fathers,
brother to do the work so they can enjoy the benefits.
The additional general consumer demographics for home improvement by
female indicate:

They shop more often
Visit more stores
Spend more than the typical shopper

The target demographic for the Do It Yourself Website is:

Homeowners
Ages 25-54
Incomes of $60,000
Internet access
Propensity for home improvement

The home Improvement Research Institute studies show that both men
and women are active participants in the planning of home improvement
projects as well as the purchase of those products used for
improvement.

By: Tim Gorman

Good Home improvement contractors are very important for your home improvement project. Without them, you cannot alone bring into existence all your ideas that you have planned for your home improvement plan. However, there are some easy home improvements that you can handle alone. But when you talk about big home improvement projects, you are indirectly talking about home improvement contractor.

They are important because they are professionally trained for home improvement projects. Plus, they are into business and they know more than you do and think of. Whether you are planning a kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling or repairs on a big scale, you should get help from a professional home improvement contractor. On the other hand, if you plan to redecorate your home with a low budget and cost effective measures, you can do it yourself.

Big projects need bigger planning as well as understanding of the entire situation. It needs a lot of effort to complete a project with all the requirements. Home improvement contractors are licensed and also have financial assistance which they get from insurance companies. In case of a loss, mishap, thunder or any such unpredictable phenomena, good contractors have a safe side.

But do not select any home improvement contractor which does not qualify for your requirements; does not have a license and professional experience. Good contractors are those which help you save your time and money. In addition they also support your ideas just like you want them to be. One needs to think deeply before signing any contractor. Otherwise, results can be harmful.

By: Aron Joshua

If you are taking up home improvement project for the first time, it might seem to be a tough task to accomplish. However, you would be happy to know that it is actually not as tough as it sounds! You just have to be careful about the home improvement contractor you are hiring, the budget you are keeping aside for the project and most importantly, the improvements or changes that you want in your house.

Although there are quite a number of things that you might consider while taking up such project, here are some common remodeling considerations:

* Areas which sustain moisture or water throughout the year – like bathroom, basements, and often kitchens – should be considered for mold remediation and water cleaning.

* You can consider converting the spare spaces in the attic and basement into usable rooms. You could also remodel your interiors to make it spacious and airy. This might also help in increase the value of your property too!

* Consider the quality of materials you are using for the project. Use of good quality sinks, cabinets, appliances and other materials should be preferred even if you have to pay a few dollars more. Use of cheap items apart from causing inconveniences to the homeowners might even reduce the value of your home.

While these are some common considerations for home improvement project, there are certain things that you should keep in mind. Firstly, if you are taking on the remodeling project just to improve the value of the property and is considering a resale soon. In that case, you should avoid expensive home improvement projects and ask the home improvement contractor to do just the bit which would increase the value of your house.

It is also important to research to determine the average value of houses in your neighborhood. You should only do enough improvement of the house to match the average cost of houses in your area. The improvement project should never be so high so as to gulp down your profits in selling the house.

But, remodeling projects should never be tried based on the do-it-yourself tips you might find over the Internet. Ignorance about the home remodeling task and the ways to operate the machines and equipment might cause fatal accidents and other health hazards.

By: Alice M Shown

“Do I need a building permit to do that?” is a frequently asked question when people think about building, remodeling, and home improvement projects. You might be surprised how many construction projects require one, according to the International Residential Code. From a practical perspective, people do not obtain one when they should and building officials may not make an issue about this oversight. But as inspectors know, work performed without one is a common source of safety issues and costly repairs.

You often need a building permit for:
replacement of or major repairs to water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, gas and plumbing pipes, and similar components, modifications or major repairs to the electrical system such as adding or moving receptacles or lights, and adding new circuits, installation of new plumbing, electrical, and heating and air conditioning equipment and components, replacement of building components such as roof coverings and exterior wall coverings, construction of new buildings, additions, structural modifications, and major structural repairs to existing buildings, movement and demolition of existing buildings, changes to building occupancy.

A change to building occupancy means changing how the building is used. Example: using a single family home as a place of business is a change in occupancy that may require a building permit and may require a zoning change or zoning waiver.

You may not need a building permit for:
building or installation of one-story detached accessory structures less than 200 square feet with no utilities, fences not more than 6 feet tall, retaining walls not more than 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall and not supporting a surcharge [a vertical load in addition to and/or above the retained ground], driveways and sidewalks, painting, wallpapering, floor covering installation, cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish work, installation of portable plug and cord connected electrical equipment, installation of portable gas heating, cooking and clothes drying equipment, installation of portable HVAC equipment [such as window air conditioners], clearing of plumbing stoppages and repair of plumbing leaks and removal and reinstallation of toilets if the repairs do not involve replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

You usually do not need a building permit for routine maintenance of existing buildings, fixtures, and equipment if the building structure is not affected and if the nature and use of the electrical, plumbing, gas or HVAC system is not changed.

A permit is a good investment, even though it costs money and slows the project. It provides a comparatively inexpensive way to ensure that the project is inspected and it helps reduce your potential liability if there is a defect that causes injury or damage. The building official can require dismantling or removing work performed without one.

You should obtain a building permit when required. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements, so contact your local building official if your project requires one. Keep it with your home documents. It will be useful at the time of sale, should the purchaser have questions about the quality/nature of the work performed.

By: Bruce A. Barker