Home improvement is the practice of making repairs and improvements to one’s home. This includes interior and exterior renovations, as well as the installation of appliances, fixtures, and other amenities. The industry is largely driven by consumer demand for upgrades and renovations that can enhance the home’s function, appeal, or both.

Many homeowners renovate with an eye toward boosting their homes’ resale value, but there are also important reasons to improve a house for the sake of its comfort and enjoyment. A new roof, bathroom or kitchen, for example, can increase a home’s resale value and make it more functional for modern living. It’s also a good idea to invest in low-cost home improvements like refreshing shower areas, replacing vanities and toilets and adding lighting and accessories.

Neglected maintenance items like electrical problems or leaky roofs can become expensive repair bills or structural issues that threaten a home’s safety and integrity. Moreover, buyers may pass on a house with such deficiencies, even if its price is right.

A common way to learn how to tackle home repairs and improvements is to shadow or help friends and family members who already do the work. This can be the fastest and most effective way to gain hands-on experience with tools, learn techniques, and get ideas for future projects. Of course, it’s always a smart move to hire a licensed and insured contractor to handle major home improvements in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties.