Home improvement is the renovation, repair, remodeling, alteration, or addition to a home or building. This includes work done on the plumbing, electrical systems, roof, windows and doors, floors, fences, and more. The goal of home improvement is to make a home more functional, safe and attractive. This can be accomplished by a number of means, such as replacing old or damaged components, installing new fixtures and appliances, repainting, or by making other aesthetic adjustments.
Certainties in life are death and taxes, but one more is that homeowners will face inevitable home repair and improvement projects. Whether they’re caused by age, weather or just the demands of everyday living, these projects can be both time consuming and costly.
The good news is that in recent years, home improvement spending has increased significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, DIY projects have surged as homeowners tried to stay comfortable and safe inside their homes.
According to a report from NerdWallet, homeowners spent $522 billion on home improvements during the first half of this year—a $72 billion increase over the previous two-year period. However, most of this spending was on projects performed by contractors rather than by homeowners themselves.
If you’re considering hiring a contractor for a home improvement project, be sure to check their references and licenses. Also, it’s important to find out if they are insured. If they are not, you could be held liable if a worker is injured on your property or if damage is caused to your home during the course of the work.