Home improvement is the repairing, remodeling, altering, converting, or modernizing of a residential property. It also includes the construction, erection, or addition of a garage, basement, fallout shelter, swimming pool, hot tub, patios, porches, terraces, fences, roofs, windows, doors, and landscaping.
When it comes to home improvements, the goal is to add value while improving the house’s livability. For example, adding a master suite that includes a bathroom and walk-in closet can boost a home’s value. But it’s important to know which projects will increase a home’s value, which ones to avoid, and how to find a quality contractor.
Before making any major renovations, it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced real estate agent in your area to find out what upgrades will actually increase the value of your home and which ones may not. It’s also a good idea to create a list of what work you want done and be specific about it. This can help you negotiate prices with contractors and keep them from adding extra work that you don’t want or need to the project.
If you decide to hire a contractor for a home improvement project, you should make sure that your contract includes an arbitration clause, a payment schedule, and a detailed description of the work to be completed. It should also include any warranties offered by the contractor and a statement that the parties agree to abide by the decisions of the arbitrator regarding the scope, validity, enforceability or interpretation of the agreement.