Increasing Value

There are many home improvements you can do to boost your property value. Though not every homeowner agrees with the value of home improvements, most agree that you will get a better price for your home, in the event of a sale, if you make a few changes.

Home improvements will not only get you a better resale value, but will give you a more pleasant living environment while you are there. So don’t underestimate the value of making a few improvements to your home.

Making improvements to your home can also increase your homes overall safety. This is considered a big benefit. There are many factors to consider when deciding what improvements to make.

funniest-diy-home-improvement-faFirst, plan your budget and decide what you want to do. Having a clear plan before you get started can make the process go much smoother. If you are making big home improvements and upgrades, hiring a contractor may be your best bet.

As a tenant, you may or may not have the right to make improvements to the property so check with your landlord. If you own the property and are unsure where to begin, there are professionals that you can hire to help you decide what improvements to make to get the most for your money.

Making outdoor improvements may require that you check with your homeowner’s association, if you have one, and your local governments to ensure your improvements are allowed. Some improvements may require special permits so be sure to file the necessary paperwork ahead of time.

If you have a limited budget and can only concentrate on one area, renovate your kitchen. Replacing old countertops and floors can make a drastic change and be relatively inexpensive. You can also consider upgrading your appliances or adding a splash-guard.

There are many improvements that you can make to your house that will increase its value. So make a clear budget, develop a plan, and get started. You won’t be disappointed in any improvement you make.

General, Rules - Home Improvement

The New Rules of Home Improvement

Many homeowners are beginning to recognize the higher standards that are being demanded from home improvement contractors.The new rules of certification, accreditation and independent verification have complemented well the old ways of selecting a contractor so that the two establish a benchmark that bodes well for the professional perception of the industry. It is not a coincident that in 2010 credentialing and training organizations have achieved their highest growth rate in recent years.

I believe that a profound shift is taken place in the home improvement industry. This shift has embraced certification, accreditation and independent verification as the new rules of doing business. As a contractor who has been in the business for many years, for me, this shift means one thing – a chance to increase market share by showcasing a brand that understands and welcomes the new reality. Indeed, homeowners are beginning to demand this higher standard of training and perceived credibility to measure value. And, the surest way to achieve this is by 0412-improve13checking for the credential of companies and the skill of their people. Now, besides the old ways of relying chiefly on word-of-mouth recommendation, customers will be able to more independently check for and measure the training and professional underpinning of a company. This is quite a significant development in the home improvement business brought on by dramatic emphasis on energy efficiency improvements in building.

The Federal government and large utility companies have contributed to this by providing tax credits and purchase rebates respectively for energy efficiency improvement initiatives. States have seized on these opportunities and have enacted changes to their building codes to encourage higher efficiency standards in building. The State of Massachusetts for example, has adopted the ‘Stretch Energy Code'” which its cities and towns are using to promote energy efficiency improvement to their building stock. The execution of these strategies create jobs, save money on utility bills and decrease the Carbon output to the environment from buildings. The savviest of small home improvement contractors are using these new rules to improve their companies’ image to portray a well trained professional operation. The majority of the buildings in the nation are in need of some sort of energy efficiency improvement, if we are committed to improving our building stock then the adoption of these new rules are just the start of the revolutionizing of the home improvement industry.

To be clear, the changes that are taking root are a result of the budding Home Performance Improvement industry that is taking shape and which is buttress by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national credentialing and training organization. Indeed, I believe two things, one, this is setting a new benchmark for the professional assessing of the home remodeling industry. Two, brand recognition will be an important criteria in selecting a home improvement company. The companies that recognize this and make the necessary positioning adjustment will be the winners.

All in all, these new rules that are required to operate a professional home performance improvement entity will no doubt usher in a change in the way the home remodeling industry operates generally.