Home repairs are an important part of maintaining your property. Whether you’re looking to repair an appliance, paint your living room, or renovate your entire house, you need to find a trustworthy contractor. There are several websites that allow you to check reviews and compare contractors’ rates. In addition, some sites also offer helpful advice on how to choose the best contractor for your project.
If you’re a new homeowner, you may want to start with a home improvement website that has step-by-step instructions. You can find tutorials that walk you through the process of completing any project. These websites can help you assess your abilities, decide if it’s worthwhile to take on the project yourself, or if it’s more cost effective to hire a professional.
You can also find information on government programs that may help with the cost of repairing or making improvements to your home. These programs are often available for Native American and veteran homeowners, and they can make it much easier to afford these home improvements.
Bob Vila
Anyone who’s watched the popular TV show Bob Vila knows that this guy loves his DIY projects. His website is a treasure trove of ideas, from low-cost fun projects to big renovations that will transform your living space. His site is broken down into easy-to-navigate sections like how-to, get ideas, find info, discuss it, and watch tv. It’s also worth checking out This Old House, which publishes a magazine that covers tips and tricks for every room in your house.
Painting and home improvement can be a significant expense, but it’s also one of the least expensive ways to add value to your property. Whether you’re looking to repaint your interior, exterior or both, it can help protect your investment and extend the life of your property.
A fresh coat of paint can revitalize built-ins and give rooms a more modern look. A good interior painting contractor will work to make the job as quick and easy as possible, reducing cleanup time and saving you money.
If you are a homeowner, deciding when to paint can be tricky. You will need to take several factors into account, including the weather, how many rooms you want painted and your schedule. When choosing a painting contractor, consider the company’s experience and track record for finishing projects on budget and on time as well as testimonials from previous clients.
Whether you’re an investor, landlord or just looking to upgrade your home for personal enjoyment, the right paint can help increase the value of your property. However, it’s important to know whether or not a paint project qualifies as a capital improvement in order to properly claim your expenses at tax time.
A capital improvement is any addition, alteration or improvement that increases the value of a non-commercial real estate and extends its useful life. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a painting is considered a capital improvement if it’s part of a larger renovation or remodeling project and can be claimed from your cost basis.
Home remodels can be grueling and expensive, but with careful planning, you can reduce stress and increase the value of your home. Whether you’re looking to up the curb appeal, make your house more energy efficient, or just give it a face lift, there are a variety of projects that can add value without breaking the bank.
The first step is to clearly define your project’s scope. Whether it’s a sketch on a cocktail napkin or full-blown architectural plans, creating a plan of attack helps you stay focused and organized. A well-written plan will also help you set realistic expectations and keep your project from veering off course.
Another aspect of the plan is to honestly asses your skill level. It’s easy to get talked into a project that is beyond your capability, so it’s important to be honest with yourself about your abilities. If you’re not comfortable tearing down walls or working with electricity, hiring a pro is often a smart move.
Finally, it’s a good idea to prioritize your projects and work through them in an order that makes sense for your schedule. Working on a kitchen or bathroom while living in the house can be very stressful, so consider taking time away to complete these projects when you have some free space. If you need to be in the house while working on a project, there are a number of tricks for containing dust and debris.
Many DIYers love shopping for home improvement products online because it lets them compare prices easily and saves them from going to the store. They can even find better deals with online discounts, coupons and referral codes. In addition, it helps them avoid being pushed by salespeople and wading through a crowd. The wide selection also helps them find the best quality at a budget-friendly price.
As people spend more time at home due to COVID lockdown, they’re looking to do fun DYI projects or make bigger renovations. This can include organizing their home, reducing clutter or adding safety features. It’s a great opportunity for retailers to offer these products.
Another important home improvement industry trend is sustainability and eco-friendliness. Consumers want to buy sustainable, ethically sourced home improvement products. Gepard has the solution for this and works with a wide range of manufacturers who meet the highest retail standards.
If you’re a retailer, it’s worth putting your focus on these home improvement products to ensure that your eCommerce business is competitive. For example, you can create content about a new air diffuser that’s been generating lots of searches on Google and reach out to bloggers who might write about it. This will help you get your product in front of a target audience and drive more sales. Also, don’t forget about the importance of quality user-generated content. It makes a huge difference and can boost the conversion rate for your home improvement products.
While major home upgrades can significantly increase your property value, the best projects are usually those that are both practical and budget-friendly. From elevating a piece of old furniture to swapping out antiquated light fixtures, these quick home upgrades can make your house look fresh and modern, all for under $100.
Adding more storage is a sure way to boost your living space, and fortunately, this simple upgrade doesn’t cost a fortune. A few DIY projects (such as mounting open shelves or building under-stair storage) can go a long way toward making your home feel more spacious.
Swapping out dated cabinet hardware like drawer pulls or door knobs is one of the most inexpensive yet big-impact home upgrades you can do. You’ll be able to refresh the look of your entire home for just about $20 to $30, and you can always paint them a new color to suit your style.
The addition of a breakfast bar is another affordable home upgrade that will instantly add kitchen functionality and a touch of sophistication. For a really stylish look, opt for a contrasting bench top and vintage bar stools.
Although a pool may be a great investment for some homeowners, in most cases, pools don’t add value at resale, especially if they are located in areas where it would be impractical or unsafe to maintain one.
If you’re considering installing a swimming pool, do your research to ensure that it will be worth the investment in your specific market. If not, it may be more lucrative to skip the pool and invest in a quality garden instead.
Home improvement projects can save money over time, increase home value and make the experience of living in a house better. While some types of home improvements are simple, others require expert contractors to complete properly. The best local home improvement companies are familiar with the city’s building codes and can easily pull a permit when necessary. The right contractor also knows the most efficient way to accomplish a task, so you can be confident in his or her work.
If you’re looking for a general contractor, the free online tool HomeAdvisor helps match homeowners with reputable local contractors and professionals. The site guides potential clients through a series of questions and then provides quotes from contractors that serve their area. HomeAdvisor prescreens its contractors and owners to ensure licensing and customer satisfaction. It also offers articles and tips to help the homeowner prepare for a project or service, such as preparing for a bathtub membrane recoating.
For a specific type of project, you can find a qualified professional by asking friends and family for recommendations or checking the local listings on social media and Google Search. In the case of a big job, like an addition or a whole-house remodel, many contractors will place a lawn sign in front of the home during construction. You can also find a professional by visiting the website of your city’s building department to see if any contractors have been cited for violations or are on the list of unlicensed builders.
A remodel website is a great way to freshen up your business’ online presence. However, don’t just focus on aesthetics, make sure you are also updating critical elements of the site to increase conversion.
Getting more traffic and having awesome project photos on your website are great, but ultimately you want people to reach out and become your next remodeling client. Your website should be designed with that in mind and include carefully crafted call-to-actions.
If you have a high bounce rate, it is time to look at how your website is performing. This can be a sign of untargeted traffic, poor user experience or just that people aren’t finding what they’re looking for on your site and are frustrated.
Having a responsive website that automatically adjusts to the screen size of the device (desktop, tablet or smartphone) is one of the best things you can do for your home remodeler website. This allows your prospective clients to easily connect with you on a device that is convenient for them and ensures they don’t hit the back button and return to Google.
Home remodeling companies should always have their contact information, email capture form and videos readily available on their websites. Ideally these should be located above the fold, meaning that visitors can see them without scrolling down. Also, be sure your contact info is easy to find on each page and that your website is mobile-friendly.
Home renovation companies can make structural changes to your home, from remodeling the kitchen or adding a new bathroom, to re-wiring or replacing flooring. They can also do more cosmetic improvements, such as painting walls or updating windows. When choosing a contractor, be sure to look at their portfolio and read reviews online. You should also check their business licenses, insurance policies and BBB accreditation.
The first step to a successful home remodel is to get your building permits and approvals. Depending on your location, this may include permissions from homeowner’s associations, or if you live in a historic district, from the local government. You may also need to get approval from your neighbors.
A home restoration company can help you navigate the permit and approval process. They can also assist with design, engineering, analysis and construction services. They can provide you with the right tools, materials and construction techniques to improve your home’s functionality and value.
A home reconstruction company can provide emergency repairs to your property after a natural disaster. They can also repair damaged water or fire damage, and install drywall and ductwork. They can even install air conditioning and plumbing, and clear clogged drains. They can work on residential and commercial projects, as well as renovate restaurants and retail spaces. They are usually licensed, insured and highly experienced in their field. You should choose a company with a good reputation and experience to ensure you’re getting the best results for your renovation project.
Homeowners are investing more in residential home improvement. We explore the latest stats and trends, popular projects and more.
Adding space to your home not only increases its function and livability, but it also can boost its value. However, homeowners can face challenges with financing such a major project. This article provides information on a variety of resources and ideas to help you complete your remodeling project successfully and affordably.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), during the pandemic, professional renovation projects dropped while do-it-yourself renovations soared. These DIY efforts were often a result of being confined to the house and the desire to use that time to improve entertainment and work-from-home spaces, increase their comfort with the existing space and create homes they would feel happy in. The NAR survey also shared that homeowners are more satisfied with their homes after completing remodeling projects.
A few quick and inexpensive improvements can improve a home’s energy efficiency, making it more affordable to live in the home and reduce utilities bills. For example, replacing old windows can reduce drafts and cold air coming into the home. Also, installing a smart thermostat can save money by helping homeowners monitor and adjust their heating and cooling systems.
The State of New York requires contractors working on certain residential home improvement projects to have a valid residential contractor’s license. For this reason, it is important that homeowners check a contractor’s license and insurance prior to hiring them for any work on their homes.
If you need local contractors for home repairs, the best way to find someone is through referrals from family or friends. If that’s not possible, you can also use a service that specializes in contractor reviews such as HomeAdvisor or Angi (formerly Angie’s List). These websites provide customers with information on providers including pricing, services offered, and customer reviews.
When you are looking at a contractor’s online reviews, it is important to read both the positive and the negative ones. It will give you a balanced view of the contractor’s abilities. Also, look at how the contractor rates themselves, and be sure you understand the rating system used by each website.
Be sure to check the contractor’s licensing information and whether they are a member of any professional associations. In addition, make sure that you get a written estimate for the work to be performed. It is often surprising how much a difference there can be between one contractor’s price and another’s.
It’s a good idea to have any work done on your home supervised by a licensed general contractor. This person assumes responsibility for all aspects of construction, including budgets, schedules, quality control, and the selection of subcontractors.
Be sure to verify any claims made by the contractor about energy savings, increased security, or home value. And always ask for a written contract before any work is started, and don’t sign it until all blank spaces have been filled in.