Home improvement is any work done on a house to make it better or more functional. This can include maintenance tasks, remodeling rooms, adding or removing features, and replacing items. Home improvements can be very expensive, so it is important to plan and budget for them accordingly. Also, it is important to know which projects will increase a home’s resale value, and which ones may not.
The most popular types of home improvement projects are kitchen remodeling and bathroom renovations. In 2017, these projects accounted for 46 percent of total homeowner improvement spending. Other popular projects include installing new flooring, painting and adding landscaping elements such as trees and shrubs.
Remodeling a home can be an intimidating task, but many homeowners are encouraged by television shows such as Bob Vila’s This Old House to tackle their own DIY projects. This type of media has helped expand the industry and foster a culture of DIY. Home improvement magazines and toolmakers have capitalized on the trend by marketing tools and materials that help recreate traditional household tasks, such as hammering nails or building shelves.
According to the American Housing Survey, households with incomes greater than $120,000 are most likely to report undertaking home improvement projects. However, these households also spend the most on average.