Author: Margaret Martin

Home upgrades don’t need to cost a fortune or involve contractors to be effective. In fact, it’s often the small but meaningful design details that have a big impact on a room and boost value for resale.

One of the most popular quick home upgrades involves replacing dated light fixtures. It’s a simple DIY project that costs a few hundred dollars and can make an instant impact. Other easy and affordable DIY updates include updating bathroom fixtures, painting trim and doors, and adding a window box of blooms to the front of your house.

If your kitchen is lacking storage, a breakfast bar may be the perfect solution. This upgrade will give you a place to prep food, entertain guests and more! Plus, it’s a great way to add some extra style to an otherwise plain space.

Replacing old carpet with laminate flooring is another simple upgrade that’s both affordable and quick to install. It’s resistant to stains and cleans up easily so it’ll keep your home looking like new for years to come.

Adding smart home devices is an easy upgrade that will help your home stand out for future buyers. It’s also a feature that’s growing in popularity among homebuyers for convenience and security. A smart doorbell, thermostat and leak detector can all be added to your home for less than $1,500!

When planning a home improvement project, make sure to get a few quotes. Ask friends and family who have recently had work done on their homes for contractor recommendations. Look at contractors’ websites to see pictures of previous projects and read client reviews.

It’s also important to consider how the changes will affect your property taxes. If you make structural, roof or plumbing changes, you may be required to get a permit. Your contractor should know what is needed for your particular home and be able to help you obtain the necessary paperwork.

Another thing to consider is how long a local or national remodeling company has been in business in your area. A company that has a long history in your community is likely to have a better understanding of the local climate and geography, which can impact what products are best for your home.

If you are considering a home improvement project that will require a permit, be wary of non-local “storm chasers” who show up at your door after a storm or other natural disaster and offer to repair damage to your house for cheap, usually with promises that the cost can be reimbursed through your homeowners’ insurance. These companies are often difficult to track down if they perform poor work or disappear after receiving payment. Licensed contractors have proper insurance to cover workers’ compensation and property damage during construction. Many counties in New York State require a license for remodeling contractors, but not all do. If you are not sure whether a contractor is properly insured, contact the New York State Department of Labor to find out if they are licensed.

Choosing the right remodel website to attract clients requires more than just beauty. It takes a deep understanding of customers, the market and how to reach them digitally in a way that’s credible and effective.

Remodeling contractors must create a design that’s both appealing and usable — one that communicates the value of their services while also ranking highly on Google. It’s not easy, but it is possible to do both well if the right team is in place.

For example, this remodeling company site clearly shows their service area and what kinds of projects they’re best at handling. And with photos of their team, it lets visitors know who they’re working with. This makes it feel like a real partnership rather than a sales pitch.

Another feature that’s important for home remodelers to have is a call-to-action button that guides visitors through the process of scheduling an estimate or booking a project with a company. This helps drive conversions and improve the user experience, which is something that Google wants to see.

Cornerstone Remodeling features a beautiful photo gallery that showcases their work, and this is important for building trust with potential customers. They also include a map of their service area, which is helpful for attracting local leads. Finally, they highlight their customer testimonials, which adds credibility and reinforces their claims of excellence. This is a winning strategy that every remodeling contractor should implement on their site.

Home restoration companies offer a wide range of services, from resurfacing kitchens to renovating entire homes. These contractors often offer specialized expertise and can complete projects in a timely manner. They can also ensure that the renovation is safe and secure. In addition, they can help homeowners find the best financing options for their project. For example, some of the top remodelers may work with home improvement lenders that can provide loans based on a homeowner’s equity in their home.

For this list of the best home renovation companies, we looked for businesses with a solid reputation and extensive experience. We also considered the number of services offered and whether they were available in a variety of locations. We also rewarded companies that offer company-financed projects, as this can help make large-scale home remodeling projects more accessible to homeowners.

To qualify for the best home remodeling companies list, companies needed to demonstrate a track record of quality workmanship and customer service. In addition, we included companies that provide nationwide service and offer a wide range of home renovation services.

For example, Freyenhagen Construction specializes in kitchen remodeling and has completed hundreds of residential projects throughout New York City. The company uses a process called Project Pulse, which allows homeowners to check upcoming appointments, receive real-time updates and access digital documents and photos of their project. Homeowners can even e-sign paperwork through the app.

Home improvement includes the repair, maintenance, remodeling, restoration and upgrading of residential real property. It also covers the construction, installation, replacement and improvement of fences, sidewalks, driveways, garages, attics, basements, porches, decks, gazebos, patios, landscaping and water features. Residential improvement may be performed by an individual, partnership, firm or corporation. It may include the design, specifications, surveying, planning, goods, services and supervision of a contractor or other person. It does not include new construction or the conversion of commercial structures into residential use.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many homeowners to start overdue home renovation projects. But despite this renewed interest in remodeling, industry reports suggest that spending on residential home improvement has begun to slow.

This is due to a number of factors, including rising mortgage rates and the recent drop in home sales. The latter has had a major effect on the industry because new home buyers typically invest heavily in upgrades and repairs right after purchasing a property.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all home projects add value and some actually decrease your property’s resale value. Before undertaking any renovation project, make sure to consider the long-term and speak with your Realtor about the best ways to improve your home’s value.

Regardless of the project, it is always a good idea to hire contractors with a strong reputation and extensive experience. When hiring a contractor, be sure to verify their license and insurance and check business references before signing a contract. And remember that a written contract is required by law for any residential home improvement project. It should clearly outline the timeline for work to be completed, a payment schedule and as many specifics about the project as possible, such as types or brands of materials.

As a homeowner, you’re likely to come up with a wish list of home repairs or remodeling projects. A good contractor can help you make that list a reality by performing quality work, cleaning up the job site and adhering to a reasonable timeline. Before hiring a contractor, ask for references and check their credentials. You can also find out whether a contractor is licensed by calling your local licensing and inspection department or Better Business Bureau.

Ensure your project will comply with local laws and regulations, such as those related to zoning or permitting. Inquire about insurance, too, and beware of contractors who require payment in cash or before work begins. Reputable contractors will put your deposit in a secure account or prove they have bond insurance.

Hire a contractor with the right expertise for your job, such as a general home improvement professional or a specialist for certain kinds of projects. For example, a flooring contractor can help you select and install new carpet, hardwood or vinyl, while an air conditioning technician can handle your central AC system repair or replacement.

Before your local contractors start work, clear out any clutter that might be in the way of their crews and protect children or pets. Consider staying in a hotel if the work is extensive and will require you to remain away from your home for a long period of time. Boarding your pets is a smart idea, too, to avoid stress or injury during the stay.

The aftermath of any natural disaster takes an emotional, physical and often a financial toll on the people involved. Whether the cause was localized flooding, a fire in your home or a major storm event that caused widespread damage, many homeowners feel an urgency to repair their homes to get back to normal. Unfortunately, that can lead consumers to make rash decisions that have long term and expensive consequences.

The key to avoiding being taken advantage of by unscrupulous contractors is to take your time, do your homework and make wise choices. Be particularly wary of anyone who comes to your door unsolicited, quotes prices that are overly inflated and/or insists that you must immediately sign a contract. Check with the Bureau of Professional Licensing to determine if a contractor is licensed, and check the Better Business Bureau and Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division for complaints.

Always obtain written estimates from multiple contractors and never pay cash or give a deposit up front. It is also a good idea to use credit cards rather than checks, as the ability to dispute unauthorized charges provides another layer of consumer protection. For major work, check with your insurance agent or company to see what repairs are covered by your policy, and never have permanent work performed without first receiving approval from your claims adjustor.

Home improvement projects can transform a living space and provide a sense of accomplishment. However, the prospect of undertaking a project can be daunting for beginners who lack the skillset and tools to achieve the desired results. Fortunately, there are a variety of do-it-yourself projects that can be undertaken by novices without requiring expert-level renovation knowledge or a significant investment of time and money.

Whether it’s painting walls, updating light fixtures, or adding new throw pillows and curtains, simple updates can give your house a modern look without the cost of a major renovation. The key is to start small and work your way up, gaining confidence in your ability to tackle more complex tasks. However, it’s important to know when a task is beyond your skill set and when to call in professional help to avoid costly mistakes.

In addition to sprucing up your home, DIY projects can also save you the expense of hiring a contractor for a more extensive renovation. For example, repairing window screens is an easy do-it-yourself home improvement project that can keep insects out and allow natural light in. It’s also a good way to familiarize yourself with the mechanics of your windows, which can be useful for more complicated repairs down the road.

From installing a backsplash in the kitchen to building a deck, these do-it-yourself projects offer an opportunity to enhance your living spaces while learning valuable skills. As you gain experience, you can embark on more ambitious projects to truly make your home your own.

Home improvement projects don’t have to come with a big budget. Many small-scale upgrades can give rooms a fresh new look without breaking the bank. A few low-cost updates can even boost the resale value of your home.

One of the easiest home improvement projects is painting a room with high-quality paint. Choose light colors to make rooms feel larger and brighter, while rich dark colors add a sense of drama. Another easy DIY home improvement is replacing builder-basic outlet covers, light switches and door knobs with ones that better match the style of your house. Even simple details like painting the back of a staircase riser with decals or tile will bring a wow factor to any space.

A new front door is a high-impact, cost-effective way to improve your home’s curb appeal. A few plants around the exterior and a well-kept lawn can also make a good impression on potential buyers.

Installing a sliding barn door is an easy upgrade that can be installed in the laundry room, dining room, master bedroom or wherever you see fit! This versatile home improvement is also a space-saving option for narrow closets.

Adding a patio or porch to a backyard is an affordable and effective way to create more outdoor living space. This upgrade can increase the resale value of your property and is great for entertaining.

Home improvement is more than just remodeling or redecorating – it’s also about making your living space safer, more comfortable, and easier to live in. The most popular improvements include paint jobs, bathroom renovations, and kitchen upgrades.

According to the 2021 American Housing Survey, homeowners completed more than 1.4 million home improvement projects in the two years prior to the survey. That’s an increase of 17%, compared to the previous two-year period. And while the rise in projects is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to note that homeowners were already remodeling their homes before the pandemic took hold.

More than half of those considering a home improvement project say they are motivated by the desire to make their homes more comfortable, while another 33% want to improve their home’s safety and security. Other reasons why homeowners are taking on home projects include increasing the resale value of their home, improving their health by making their house cleaner, or just wanting to add new features that will enhance their daily lives.

When it comes to paying for these projects, many homeowners are using cash, a personal loan, or a credit card. A quarter of those surveyed report they had to sacrifice other expenses or tap into their emergency savings to pay for their home improvement projects during the past two years. And 8% of respondents even borrowed against their home equity to fund some of these projects.