Home improvement is a wide-ranging term that describes renovation work done to a residential dwelling. The goal of home improvement is to make your living space more pleasant and functional. It can also add value to your house. However, it is important to remember that not all home improvements are worth the expense. Some upgrades have a negative impact on resale, so it is crucial to choose carefully. The most common home improvement projects are adding an extra bedroom or bathroom, installing new kitchen appliances and upgrading the electrical system.
Homeowners have spent a lot of money on home improvement over the past two years. According to the 2021 American Housing Survey, they have completed about 135 million projects and have spent $624 billion. Many of these projects were prompted by the pandemic, but it wasn’t the only reason for the increase in activity. Other factors include a desire to refresh worn-out surfaces and materials, an increased interest in DIY activities and a general satisfaction with the appearance of their homes.
The popularity of television home improvement shows has played an important role in the evolution of the industry. As early as 1979, Bob Vila’s This Old House tapped into the public’s fascination with Victorian-era architecture by following the step-by-step renovation of an older house. This helped fuel a trend toward “historicizing” suburban houses by adding such features as Victorian-style molding or columns.
Other popular shows have focused on interior design. For example, the hit series Trading Spaces debuted in 2000 and has since influenced how homeowners decorate their houses. These shows have helped blur the line between what was once considered a male-dominated arena of carpentry work and the more feminine sphere of decorating and interior design. As a result, women have become more active in the home improvement arena and have become an important consumer market for tools and supplies.
When considering home improvement, it is important to set a budget and stick to it. Many people find that they overspend on projects because they get excited and want to tackle more than is realistic. This can lead to debt, which is not a good thing. A better option is to hire a contractor or buy a do-it-yourself kit that includes the necessary materials and instructions. In either case, it is a good idea to have a written contract that specifies the payment schedule, an estimated completion date and as much detail about the project as possible.
While it may be tempting to go all-out on your home improvement, it is important to keep in mind that you will not necessarily recoup the entire cost of the upgrade. For this reason, it is a good idea to limit high-end upgrades and concentrate on those that will appeal to the majority of consumers. In addition, it is a good idea to choose materials that will match the general style of the neighborhood. Otherwise, your home could stand out for all the wrong reasons.
