Home improvement refers to any renovation or construction that improves a property’s structure and/or function. It is a highly competitive industry that includes the sales of building materials, appliances, furniture, decor and services offered by contractors, plumbers, electricians, handymen and others. Home improvement is an economic activity that has shown strong results in recent years. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when consumers were focusing on making their homes more comfortable and functional.
The emergence of aggregators such as Houzz also helped boost the popularity of this industry, since they allow homeowners to research and hire service providers in a quick and easy manner. However, it is important for homeowners to take the time to interview service providers, verify their license and insurance and check business references before hiring someone to work on their home.
Homeowners have been busy this year with a host of projects, from fixing leaky roofs to remodeling the kitchen. And despite fears of inflation, many say they plan to continue working on their home in 2021. The top project for most homeowners is yard and landscape work, followed by a remodel of the bathroom and then kitchen improvements. Other popular choices include adding a deck or patio and painting the interior of their home. Neglected maintenance tasks are also on the list for most, including resurfacing driveways and sidewalks and replacing worn doorknobs. This type of maintenance is relatively inexpensive and provides a high ROI.