Home improvement is the business of renovating or enhancing a house, and it encompasses retail sales of building materials and products to help with the renovation, as well as services provided by contractors and other workers. This industry is one of the few areas to experience solid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with spending on home improvements up to and even surpassing previous levels.
In the future, homeowners will be focusing on repair and maintenance projects rather than major renovations, but that doesn’t mean they will stop upgrading their homes altogether. For example, replacing windows and doors is a common renovation that typically has a good return on investment, resulting in increased energy efficiency, less noise pollution and better security.
Other projects that are expected to be in demand include converting attics into livable space, adding new landscaping and installing patios and fences. These projects can be done with relative ease and are a cost-effective way to give a facelift to a home.
Generally speaking, the more expensive and high-end upgrades do not necessarily increase a home’s value, and can actually decrease it in some cases. The reason for this is that potential buyers can easily find similar upgrades in other homes on the market, and may not be willing to pay the higher price for those upgrades. For this reason, it is recommended that home owners who plan to sell in the future seek the advice of a real estate professional before making any costly home improvement upgrades.
When it comes to the best home improvement projects for 2023, experts are predicting that most of the work will be focused on repair and maintenance rather than large-scale remodeling. In fact, according to the American Housing Survey, most of the renovations will be minor in nature – for instance, replacing worn-out surfaces and finishes or upgrading outdated systems and appliances.
The survey also indicated that most of the homeowners who had recently completed a home improvement project reported being satisfied with their decision. The survey noted that most cited increased enjoyment of their home and added features, as well as more satisfaction with their homes overall.
It is important to remember that, if you are planning to hire a contractor for a home improvement project, that Maryland’s Home Improvement Law requires all contracts to be in writing and signed by both the consumer and the business before any work begins or any money is paid. It is also a good idea to avoid any contractors that do not have their name, address and MHIC license number preprinted on the contract.
For those who are still able to afford a big renovation, it is important to consider whether you will be able to pay the monthly mortgage or other loan payments in addition to your household expenses. If not, it might be wiser to wait and save money and try again at a later date when prices are lower. Ultimately, it’s not worth going into debt for your home remodel, no matter how much you might love that fancy marble flooring in the bathroom.