Home improvement is the repair, maintenance or restoration of residential real property. This can include but is not limited to the following:
A common home improvement project is replacing windows, doors or roofs. Other projects may include installing a swimming pool, adding a deck or patio or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom. Home improvements can also be made to increase energy efficiency or safety, such as adding security systems or upgrading electrical wiring. Many projects can have a positive impact on the value of a home, but homeowners should be careful not to overspend or undertake a renovation that would not return the investment.
Many television home improvement shows have helped to expand the culture of DIY. For example, Bob Vila’s “This Old House” debuted on public television in 1979 and promoted a fascination with older looking houses. Manufacturers responded by marketing cheap imitation molding and columns that could be used to historicize suburban homes. Historian Carolyn Goldstein argues that this phenomenon was part of a larger cultural movement in 20th-century America to restore and repair objects as a form of recreation and leisure.
When choosing contractors for your home improvement projects, be sure to consider their experience, reputation and ability to complete the job on time. You should also compare prices, but never rely solely on price in making your final selection. It is also important to understand that different contractors will quote on the same project differently, and that there may be differences in their quality of work.