Managing subcontractors effectively is arguably the most crucial skill for a successful general contractor. Its the difference between a project running smoothly and profitably, and one spiraling into delays, cost overruns, and headaches. Think of it like conducting an orchestra: youre not playing every instrument, but youre responsible for the overall harmony.
The first key is selecting the right subcontractors. This goes beyond simply picking the lowest bidder. Experience, reputation, and a proven track record are essential. Look for subcontractors who specialize in their trade and have a history of completing projects on time and within budget. Dont be afraid to ask for references and check them thoroughly. A little due diligence upfront can save a lot of grief later.
Once youve assembled your team, clear communication is paramount. Establish expectations early and often. Regular meetings, whether in person or virtual, keep everyone on the same page. Clearly defined scopes of work, payment schedules, and change order procedures are vital to avoid disputes down the road. Remember, good communication isnt just about talking; its about listening too. Be open to feedback from your subcontractors – theyre the experts in their fields and often have valuable insights.
Maintaining strong relationships is also crucial. Treat your subcontractors with respect and fairness. Prompt payment is a simple but powerful way to build trust and ensure their continued commitment to your projects. A little appreciation goes a long way, too. Acknowledging good work and addressing concerns promptly can foster a positive working environment and encourage collaboration.
Finally, dont shy away from documentation. Keep detailed records of all communications, agreements, and change orders. This protects both you and your subcontractors in case of disputes. It also provides valuable insights for future projects, helping you refine your subcontractor management process over time.
Managing subcontractors effectively is a continuous process of learning and adapting. It requires a combination of organizational skills, interpersonal savvy, and a proactive approach. By prioritizing clear communication, building strong relationships, and maintaining meticulous records, general contractors can ensure their projects are completed successfully and profitably, creating a harmonious symphony of construction.
Ensuring project safety and compliance is paramount for any general contractor. It's not just about ticking boxes and avoiding fines; it's about creating a work environment where everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. And frankly, it's just good business. A safe job site is a productive job site. As a general contractor, you're the conductor of the orchestra. You're responsible for bringing together different trades, managing subcontractors, and making sure the entire project runs smoothly and, crucially, safely. This means more than just posting a few safety signs. It requires a proactive, hands-on approach. It starts with pre-construction planning. Thoroughly assessing the site for potential hazards, developing a comprehensive safety plan, and communicating that plan clearly to everyone involved are critical first steps. Think about things like fall protection, hazard communication, and emergency procedures. Don't just tell people to be safe; equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to actually *be* safe. Regular site inspections are another essential piece of the puzzle. Walking the site, identifying potential issues, and addressing them promptly prevents small problems from escalating into major incidents. This also gives you a chance to observe worker practices firsthand, offer guidance, and reinforce the importance of safety. It shows your team that you're not just paying lip service to safety, but that you're genuinely invested in their well-being. Compliance with OSHA regulations and other applicable laws is non-negotiable. Staying up-to-date on the latest regulations and ensuring everyone on site is properly trained is crucial. Ignoring these regulations is not only risky but can lead to costly fines and legal battles that can cripple your business. Investing in safety training might seem like an expense, but it's a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of an accident. Ultimately, ensuring project safety and compliance is about creating a culture of safety. It's about fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up about potential hazards and where safety is everyone's responsibility, not just the safety officer's. When safety is woven into the fabric of your company culture, it becomes second nature, and everyone benefits. Your workers are protected, your projects run more efficiently, and your reputation as a responsible and reliable general contractor is strengthened.
Home renovation is one of the most effective ways to increase property value in Tacoma. However, not all upgrades provide equal returns. If you plan to sell your home or simply want to boost its value, it is important to focus on improvements that bring the highest return on investment (ROI).
The Tacoma housing market has seen consistent growth over the past few years. Buyers are looking for updated, functional, and energy-efficient homes. Renovations that meet these needs tend to offer better ROI. Studying local real estate trends can help you prioritize your renovation plans.
Certain parts of the home affect value more than others. These areas usually bring the best ROI:
Start by determining how much you can spend. Then decide how much of that budget will go to each improvement. A clear financial plan prevents overspending and helps you stay focused on the changes that bring value.
Overly customized designs may not appeal to future buyers. Choose neutral colors, efficient layouts, and practical features. Aim for improvements that appeal to a wide range of people rather than personal preferences that may limit buyer interest.
Energy-efficient homes are in demand in Tacoma. Upgrades like better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and smart thermostats lower utility bills. These features often help homes sell faster and for more money.
Before planning major upgrades, compare your home to others nearby. If your improvements raise your home’s price far above others in your area, you may not recover your full investment. Keep your renovations in line with neighborhood standards.
Professional work improves quality and reduces mistakes. Poor workmanship can reduce your home’s value. Choose local Tacoma contractors with strong reputations, proper licensing, and verified experience. Renovision SouthWest offers full renovation services with a focus on results and long-term value.
Fix issues like roof leaks, plumbing problems, or old electrical systems before doing cosmetic updates. Buyers will notice hidden problems, and these can reduce interest in your home. Addressing maintenance concerns first ensures your investment is protected.
Adding square footage usually increases home value. Consider finishing a basement, converting an attic, or building an extra room. In Tacoma, added living space can significantly raise selling prices, especially in growing neighborhoods.
Many buyers decide based on the exterior. Simple tasks like lawn care, painting trim, or installing outdoor lighting can make a big difference. Clean landscaping and neat walkways make the home look cared for and more inviting.
Changing outdated light fixtures, faucets, and cabinet handles can give your home a fresh look without a large cost. These small changes help tie the overall style together and make spaces feel newer and more cohesive.
Low-cost materials may reduce project costs in the short term but can wear out faster. Choose mid-range or high-quality materials that last longer and improve appearance. Buyers in Tacoma often look for quality finishes that suggest long-term durability.
Maximizing ROI on your home renovation in Tacoma requires planning, smart spending, and quality work. Focus on the areas that matter most to buyers, stay within budget, and avoid unnecessary customizations. Work with a trusted local builder like Renovision SouthWest to ensure your renovation adds real value to your home.
The future of general contracting is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, shifting economic landscapes, and changing client expectations.. While the core role of a general contractor – managing construction projects from start to finish – remains, the how of that management is undergoing a significant transformation. One key area of change is the increasing adoption of technology.
Posted by on 2025-07-08
A general contractor wears many hats throughout a projects lifecycle, but their role doesnt truly end until the keys are handed over to a satisfied client.. Project completion and client handover represent the culmination of all their efforts, the final act in a complex performance.
Managing the project and ensuring your satisfaction is crucial to a successful, and sanity-saving, renovation or building project.. Finding a contractor who offers a reasonable price is only half the battle; making sure they deliver what they promised, on time and within budget, is the other, often more challenging, half.
Handling change orders and disputes is a bread-and-butter issue for any general contractor. Its just the nature of the beast – construction projects rarely go exactly as planned. Whether its an unforeseen site condition, a clients evolving vision, or a disagreement with a subcontractor, changes and the resulting disputes are inevitable. Successfully navigating these choppy waters is key to a projects profitability and a contractors reputation.
Change orders, those formal modifications to the original contract, are often the source of contention. Clear communication from the outset is crucial. A well-defined change order process, outlining how changes are requested, documented, priced, and approved, can prevent many headaches down the road. Think of it like a pre-nup for your construction project! Everyone needs to be on the same page about what happens when things change. This includes having a clear understanding of who is responsible for what costs and how any schedule impacts will be handled. Detailed documentation is your best friend. Every conversation, email, and site visit related to a potential change should be recorded. This creates a clear audit trail and can prevent "he said, she said" situations later on.
Disputes, unfortunately, can still arise even with the best-laid plans. Sometimes, disagreements about the validity of a change order, its cost, or its impact on the schedule cant be resolved through negotiation. This is where a solid dispute resolution clause in the contract becomes invaluable. Clearly outlining the steps to be taken in case of a dispute, whether its mediation, arbitration, or litigation, helps to streamline the process and minimize disruption to the project. Its always best to try and resolve disputes amicably. Maintaining positive relationships with clients and subcontractors is essential for long-term success. However, being prepared to defend your position with proper documentation and a clear understanding of the contract is equally important.
In the end, successfully handling change orders and disputes comes down to proactive planning, clear communication, and meticulous documentation. Its about being prepared for the unexpected and having the systems in place to navigate the inevitable bumps in the road. By mastering these aspects, general contractors can not only protect their bottom line but also build stronger, more trusting relationships with everyone involved in the project.
Building and maintaining strong client relationships is arguably the most crucial element of success for a general contractor. Its not enough to simply build a structurally sound building; you have to build trust, open communication, and a sense of partnership with the client. This starts from the very first meeting and continues long after the final walk-through.
Initially, active listening is key. Understanding the clients vision, budget, and timeline is paramount. Asking clarifying questions and offering realistic expectations sets the stage for a collaborative process. No one wants surprises, especially when dealing with construction projects, so transparency about potential challenges and cost fluctuations is essential. A general contractor who proactively communicates potential issues and offers solutions earns respect and builds confidence.
During the construction phase, regular updates keep the client informed and involved. Sharing progress photos, scheduling site visits, and providing clear explanations of any changes keeps the lines of communication open. Responding promptly to client inquiries, even if its just to acknowledge receipt and promise a more detailed answer later, demonstrates respect and professionalism. Remember, clients are often investing significant resources, both financial and emotional, in their projects, and they deserve to feel heard and understood.
Even after the project is completed, maintaining the relationship is important. A follow-up call a few weeks after completion to ensure everything is functioning as expected shows you care about the clients long-term satisfaction. This is also a great opportunity to address any minor issues that may have arisen and solidify the positive experience. These seemingly small gestures can lead to repeat business and valuable referrals. Word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly powerful in the construction industry, and satisfied clients are your best advertising.
Ultimately, building and maintaining client relationships boils down to treating people with respect, communicating effectively, and consistently delivering on your promises. Its about building partnerships, not just buildings. A general contractor who understands this fundamental principle will build a successful business based on trust and mutual respect.
A contractor[1][2] (North American English) or builder (British English),[3][4] is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of a building project.[5]
In the United States, a contractor may be a sole proprietor managing a project and performing labor or carpentry work, have a small staff, or may be a very large company managing billion dollar projects. Some builders build new homes, some are remodelers, some are developers.[6]
A general contractor is a construction manager employed by a client, usually upon the advice of the project's architect or engineer.[7] General Contractors are mainly responsible for the overall coordination of a project and may also act as building designer and construction foreman (a tradesman in charge of a crew).
A general contractor must first assess the project-specific documents (referred to as a bid, proposal, or tender documents). In the case of renovations, a site visit is required to get a better understanding of the project. Depending on the project delivery method, the general contractor will submit a fixed price proposal or bid, cost-plus price or an estimate. The general contractor considers the cost of home office overhead, general conditions, materials, and equipment, as well as the cost of labor, to provide the owner with a price for the project.
Contract documents may include drawings, project manuals (including general, supplementary, or special conditions and specifications), and addendum or modifications issued prior to proposal/bidding and prepared by a design professional, such as an architect.The general contractor may also assume the role of construction manager, responsible for overseeing the project while assuming financial and legal risks.There are several types of risks can occur include cost overruns, delays, and liabilities related to safety or contract breaches.
Prior to formal appointment, the selected general contractor to whom a client proposes to award a contract is often referred to as a "preferred contractor".[8]
A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as heavy equipment and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A general contractor often hires specialized subcontractors to perform all or portions of the construction work. When using subcontractors, the general contractor is responsible for overseeing the quality of all work performed by any and all of the workers and subcontractors.
It is a best practice for general contractors to prioritize safety on the job site, and they are generally responsible for ensuring that work takes place following safe practices.
A general contractor's responsibilities may include applying for building permits, advising the person they are hired by, securing the property, providing temporary utilities on site, managing personnel on site, providing site surveying and engineering, disposing or recycling of construction waste, monitoring schedules and cash flows, and maintaining accurate records.[9]
The general contractor may be responsible for some part of the design, referred to as the "contractor's design portion" (JCT terminology).[10]
In the United Kingdom, Australia and some British Commonwealth countries, the term 'general contractor' was gradually superseded by builders during the early twentieth century.[citation needed] This was the term used by major professional, trade, and consumer organizations when issuing contracts for construction work, and thus the term 'general contractor' fell out of use except in large organizations where the main contractor is the top manager and a general contractor shares responsibilities with professional contractors.
General contractors who conduct work for government agencies are often referred to as "builders". This term is also used in contexts where the customer's immediate general contractor is permitted to sub-contract or circumstances are likely to involve sub-contracting to specialist operators e.g. in various public services.
In the United States and Asia, the terms general contractor (or simply "contractor"), prime contractor and main contractor are often interchangeable when referring to small local companies that perform residential work. These companies are represented by trade organizations such as the NAHB.[11]
Licensing requirements to work legally on construction projects vary from locale to locale. In the United States, there are no federal licensing requirements to become a general contractor, but most US states require general contractors to obtain a local license to operate. It is the states' responsibility to define these requirements: for example, in the state of California, the requirements are stated as follows:
With a few exceptions, all businesses or individuals who work on any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more.
In every state that requires a license, a surety bond is required as part of the licensing process, with the exception of Louisiana, where bonding requirements may vary in different parishes. Not all states require General Contractor licenses - these include Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, among others.
Some general contractors obtain bachelor's degrees in construction science, building science, surveying, construction safety, or other disciplines.
General Contractors often learn about different aspects of construction, including masonry, carpentry, framing, and plumbing. Aspiring general contractors communicate with subcontractors and may learn the management skills they need to run their own company.
Experience in the construction industry as well as references from customers, business partners, or former employers are demanded. Some jurisdictions require candidates to provide proof of financing to own their own general contracting firm.
General Contractors often run their own business. They hire subcontractors to complete specialized construction work and may manage a team of plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, carpenters, iron workers, technicians, handymans, architects and roofers. General Contractors build their business by networking with potential clients, buying basic construction tools, and ensuring that their subcontractors complete high-quality work. General Contractors do not usually complete much construction work themselves, but they need to be familiar with construction techniques so they can manage workers effectively. Other reasons include access to specialist skills, flexible hiring and firing, and lower costs.
A property owner or real estate developer develops a program of their needs and selects a site (often with an architect). The architect assembles a design team of consulting engineers and other experts to design the building and specify the building systems. Today contractors frequently participate on the design team by providing pre-design services such as providing estimations of the budget and scheduling requirements to improve the economy of the project. In other cases, the general contractor is hired at the close of the design phase. The owner, architect, and general contractor work closely together to meet deadlines and budget. The general contractor works with subcontractors to ensure quality standards; subcontractors specialise in areas such as electrical wiring, plumbing, masonry, etc.
Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving broken, damaged, or outdated structures. Renovations are typically done on either commercial or residential buildings. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, or bringing something back to life and can apply in social contexts. For example, a community can be renovated if it is strengthened and revived. It can also be restoring something to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding). Renovation is very common in some places. For example, there are more than twenty thousand home improvement projects every year in Hong Kong, affecting more than a million residents[1] (population of HK is around 7.5 million in 2023).[2]
The building renovation process can usually, depending on the extents of the renovation, be broken down into several phases. The phases are as follow.[3]
Projects involving renovation require not just flexibility, but a plan that had been agreed upon by multiple parties. The planning process will involve feedback from financial investors of the project, and from the designer. Part of planning will also entail the collection of data for the completion of the project and then the project plan will be revised and given consent before continuing with renovations.[6]
Technology has had a meaningful effect on the renovation process, increasing the significance and strength of the planning stage. The availability of free online design tools has improved visualization of the changes, at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional designer. The decision regarding changes is also influenced by the purpose of basement renovation [1]. Depending on the significance of these changes a professional may be required, especially if any changes other than cosmetic work (paint or finishes) is required. Many local codes require a professional to complete work in the built environment such as structural changes, new walls, new plumbing, or many others. Doing these changes without hiring a professional can result in health effects, safety concerns, damages, fines, and increased cost due to having to hire a professional after self-work.[7] Most builders focus on building new homes, so renovating is typically a part-time activity for such tradespeople. The processes and services required for renovations are quite specific and, once plans are signed off, building a new home is relatively predictable. However, during renovation projects, flexibility is often required from renovation companies to respond to unexpected issues that arise. Renovations usually require all of the sub-trades that are needed for the construction of a new building.
In case of a so-called "fix-and-flip" (repair and resell) objective, an ROI (return on investment) can result from changes to fix a structural issue, to fix design flow yield,[8] or to use light and color to make rooms appear more spacious. Because interior renovation could change of the internal structure of the house, ceiling construction, circuit configuration and partition walls, etc., such work related to the structure of the house, of course, also includes renovation of wallpaper posting, furniture settings, lighting, etc often times an interior designer is required as well.[9]
Many people renovate homes to create a new appearance. Builders may renovate homes to enhance the home's value as a stable source of income.[11] Homeowners often renovate their homes to increase the re-sale value and to turn a profit when selling. Homeowners may also want to add renovations that make their home more energy efficient, green or sustainable.[12] Also, over time, a homeowner's personal preferences and needs may change, and the home will be renovated for improved aesthetics, comfort, or functionality.
Other types of renovations also can be initiated for similar reasons. The user or owner of a building can change which can effect the needs or wants for the space prompting a renovation. This is becoming more popular as buildings owners are renting or leasing floors or sections of the buildings to companies which have different spacial requirements than the previous users causing needed renovation. Renovations can also occur as companies increase size which could lead to needed additional retail, office, or other types of spaces. Similarly to homes other building owners could also want renovations to increased value, make the building more energy efficient, green or sustainable, or to update the building.[13] Sometimes shopping centres or shops are renovated to raise rent later.
Wood is versatile and flexible, making it the easiest construction material for renovations, and wood buildings can be redesigned to suit changing needs. Few homeowners or professional remodelers possess the skill and equipment that is required to alter steel-frame or concrete structures.
When looking at embodied carbon in building materials wood is often labeled as the most sustainable. This is because it sequesters carbon which if certified sustainably sourced will significantly reduce embodied carbon of buildings. This makes it a low emitting choice for a building material for an overall building and for renovations.[14]
Forest certification verifies that wood products have been sourced from well-managed forests. Most certification programs provide online search options so that consumers can find certified products—the Certification Canada program includes a search option for all of the certification programs that are in use in Canada.[15]
In North America, most structures are demolished because of external forces such as zoning changes and rising land values. Additionally, buildings that cannot be modified to serve the functional needs of the occupants are subject to demolition. Very few buildings on the continent are demolished due to structural degradation.[16]
The Athena Institute surveyed 227 commercial and residential buildings that were demolished in St. Paul, Minnesota, between 2000 and mid-2003. Thirty percent of the buildings were less than 50 years old, and 6% were less than 25 years old. The four top reasons for demolition were "area redevelopment" (35%), "building's physical condition" (31%), "not suitable for anticipated use" (22%), and "fire damage" (7%). Lack of maintenance was cited as the specific problem for 54 of the 70 buildings where physical condition was given as the reason for demolition.[16]
Plastics are extensively used in the construction and renovation industry.[17] Airborne microplastic dust is produced during renovation, building, bridge and road reconstruction projects[18] and the use of power tools.[19] It is also generated by deterioration of building materials[20]
Materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polypropylene, and acrylic, can degrade overtime releasing microplastics.[17] During the construction process single use plastic containers and wrappers are discarded adding to plastic waste.[21] These plastics are difficult to recycle and end up in landfills where they break down over a long period of time causing potential leaching into the soil and the release of airborne microplastics.[22][23] Efforts have been made to reduce plastic waste by adding it to concrete as agglomerates. However, one solution for resolving the problem from the large amount of plastic wastes generated could bring another serious problem of leaching of microplastics. The unknown part of this area is huge and needs prompt investigation.[24]
Around twenty percent of all plastics and seventy percent of all polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced in the world each year are used by the construction industry.[25][26] It is predicted that much more will be produced and used in the future.[25] "In Europe, approximately 20% of all plastics produced are used in the construction sector including different classes of plastics, waste and nanomaterials."[26]
While the type of material used will determine the composition of the dust generated, the size and amount of particulates produced are mainly determined by the type of tool used. Implementation of effective dust control measures may also play a role.
Use of angle grinder is not preferred as large amounts of harmful sparks and fumes (and particulates) are generated when compared with using reciprocating saw or band saw.[27] Angle grinders produce sparks when cutting ferrous metals. They also produce shards cutting other materials. The blades themselves may also break. This is a great hazard to the face and eyes especially, as well as other parts of the body.[28]
Use of power tools can cause adverse effects on people living nearby. Power tools can produce large amounts of particulates including ultrafine particles.[29]
Particulates are the most harmful form (other than ultra-fines) of air pollution[30] There is no safe level of particulates.[31]
Many tasks create dust. High dust levels are caused by one of more the following:[32]
Examples of high dust level tasks include:[32]
Some power tools are equipped with dust collection system (e.g. HEPA vacuum cleaner) or integrated water delivery system which extract the dust after emission.[33][34]
In the US, “About 75% of homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. The older the home the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint. You should assume that any home built before 1978 contains some lead.”[35]
In April 2010 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required that all renovators working in homes built before 1978 and disturbing more than 6 square feet (0.56 m2) of lead paint inside the home or 20 square feet (1.9 m2) outside the home be certified. EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) lowers the risk of lead contamination from home renovation activities.[36] It requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools (any child occupied facility) built before 1978 be certified by EPA and use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.[37]
Careful stabilization of any deteriorated (peeling, chipping, cracking, etc.) paint in a lead-safe manner is also encouraged. Through authority vested in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), lead-based-paint removal by dry scraping, dry sanding, torching and burning, the use of heat guns over 1100°F, and machine-sanding / grinding without a HEPA-filtered vacuum or a HEPA filtered dust collection system, is prohibited, as these methods have been proven to produce significant amount of lead dust during renovation, remodeling and painting.[38]
At the end of any remodeling or repainting job, a dust test performed by an independent third-party professional is also required by HUD for "clearance". Lead evaluations are done using a method called X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), which gives a result in 4–8 seconds with a 95% accuracy at the 2-sigma level.
As of 2018[update], there are an estimated 37 million homes and apartments with lead paint in the United States.[39]
Currently, worldwide 38% of emissions and 35% of energy use come from the building sector, including building construction and operation. This means renovations contribute to emissions and energy use of the building sector. These percentages are the largest portion of the total emissions and energy use globally.[40] This makes buildings have the highest potential for decreasing these percentages as well as the largest need to decrease them. Renovations are also one way to do this.
Renovations decrease emissions as instead of demolishing a building just to build a new one the building is reused. Reuse of buildings is not always desirable as it is often pursued to have a building designed for the many individual and unique needs building owners have but it is not always a necessity. Renovations can take a building and make it completely different from the old building just reusing the structure, which is often the largest contributor of embodied carbon to a building. However, in order to be able to do this buildings need to be design durably and re-use. Designing for durability and reuse is designing for new buildings to be "long lasting, use-adaptable, and culturally valuable"[14] to allow for the building to be kept for longer to minimize emissions from a complete rebuild.
Having these ideas in mind while designing new buildings significantly increases the likelihood for renovations to happen.[14] Buildings are more likely to be torn down because they can not accommodate the new desired use then because the structure is failing.[16] Renovations allow old buildings to fit new needs in a way that outputs less emissions than a complete tear down and construction of a new building which is often a feasible option.
Renovation has several effects on economies, including:[41]
The concept of home improvement, home renovation or remodeling is the process of renovating, making improvements or making additions to one's home.[1] Home improvement can consist of projects that upgrade an existing home interior (such as electrical and plumbing), exterior (masonry, concrete, siding, roofing) or other improvements to the property (i.e. garden work or garage maintenance/additions). Home improvement projects can be carried out for a number of different reasons; personal preference and comfort, maintenance or repair work, making a home bigger by adding rooms/spaces, as a means of saving energy, or to improve safety.[2]
While "home improvement" often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, it can also include improvements to lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures, such as gazebos and garages. It also encompasses maintenance, repair, and general servicing tasks. Home improvement projects generally have one or more of the following goals:[citation needed]
Maintenance projects can include:
Additional living space may be added by:
Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:
The need to be safer or for better privacy or emergency management can be fulfilled with diversified measures which can be improved, maintained or added. Secret compartments and passages can also be conceived for privacy and security.
Home or residential renovation is an almost $300 billion industry in the United States,[5] and a $48 billion industry in Canada.[6][full citation needed] The average cost per project is $3,000 in the United States and $11,000–15,000 in Canada.
Professional home improvement is ancient and goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization. One example is Sergius Orata, who in the 1st century B.C. is said by the writer Vitruvius (in his famous book De architectura) to have invented the hypocaust. The hypocaust is an underfloor heating system that was used throughout the Roman Empire in villas of the wealthy. He is said to have become wealthy himself by buying villas at a low price, adding spas and his newly invented hypocaust, and reselling them at higher prices.[7]
Perhaps the most important or visible professionals in the renovation industry are renovation contractors or skilled trades. These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities.
While there is a fairly large "grey market" of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association and/or are accredited by a professional organization. Homeowners are recommended to perform checks such as verifying license and insurance and checking business references prior to hiring a contractor to work on their house.
Because interior renovation will touch the change of the internal structure of the house, ceiling construction, circuit configuration and partition walls, etc., such work related to the structure of the house, of course, also includes renovation of wallpaper posting, furniture settings, lighting, etc.
Aggregators are companies that bundle home improvement service offers and act as intermediary agency between service providers and customers.
Home improvement was popularized on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS. American cable channel HGTV features many do-it-yourself shows, as does sister channel DIY Network.[8] Danny Lipford hosts and produces the nationally syndicated Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete co-host the nationally syndicated The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show.
Movies that poked fun at the difficulties involved include: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy; George Washington Slept Here (1942), featuring Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan; and The Money Pit (1986), with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. The sitcom Home Improvement used the home improvement theme for comedic purposes.
Thank you Renovision for helping me with my bathroom remodeling! The process and total result was perfect and actually very fun, I would definitely hire this company for all of my remodeling projects! And a special thanks for John! You are amazing.
They helped us open up our kitchen and dining area, and the transformation is incredible. The crew was professional and respectful of our home, and the quality of the work really shows.
I recently had Renovision remodel our master bathroom, and I couldn't be happier with the results! They installed a huge walk-in shower free standing tub and a heated floor. The team was on-site every day, working hard and keeping the project on schedule. They also made sure to keep everything within our budget, which was really important to us. The quality of the work is top-notch, and we’re thrilled with how the bathroom turned out. Highly recommend them to anyone in the tacoma area looking for reliable, professional contractors!