Home improvement is a wide range of work done to the interior or exterior of a residential dwelling. Home improvements can include remodeling, adding on, repairing or maintaining items such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, driveways, sidewalks, roofs, decks and patios. Some common types of home improvements include painting, wallpapering, carpeting and installing appliances, fixtures or light bulbs.
While some homeowners may renovate their homes to increase the value of their property, others do it for personal enjoyment or simply because they want to update the look and feel of their home. No matter the reason, renovations can be costly and require time and effort to complete. Fortunately, there are ways to save on Home improvement projects.
During the recent recession and housing market slowdown, many homeowners accelerated their Home improvement projects in an attempt to boost home value. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS), home improvement spending reached a record high in 2022, but is projected to decline slightly by 2024.
Some home improvement projects are a necessity and can’t be put off, such as a leaky roof or a flooded basement. Other improvements may be made to improve a home’s energy efficiency or to make it more attractive to potential buyers. No matter what the reasons, it is important for homeowners to consider their options when deciding on a project to take on and to hire reputable contractors for any work that must be completed.
Oftentimes, home improvement projects can become more expensive than originally expected due to rising labor and material costs. When these costs increase, the ability to recoup the investment in home improvements is jeopardized. While it is always good to invest in your home, it is also important to stay within budget and avoid going into debt for home improvements.
The eighth season of the popular sitcom Home Improvement featured several guest appearances by the show’s stars, most notably Jonathan Taylor Thomas who returned as Randy in the episode “Adios”. During the final season, Tim Allen hosted a television special called Home Improvement: A User’s Guide which included a compilation of his favorite clips from the series, behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections. The show’s other stars, Richard Karn and Casey Sander, appeared as well.
During the early 2000s, Home Improvement was one of the most popular shows on TV. It was so successful that it inspired a sequel, the even more popular sitcom Tool Time which ran from 2001 to 2008. Both of these shows received numerous awards and nominations during their run. In 2009, a reunion special was aired to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary featuring the original cast of Home Improvement along with new episodes featuring new characters. The special also included a question and answer session with the audience and a live performance by Allen. The reunion was a major success and received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.