Home improvement is a broad category of work and services that include: the remodeling, alteration, painting, repairing, renovating, restoring, refinishing, upgrading, or making additions to residential or noncommercial property. It also includes the installation of appliances, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, and other systems or improvements.
Many people decide to remodel their homes to increase the value, make it more attractive or functional or to simply update it. However, not all renovations are a good idea and some may even decrease the home’s value.
The home improvement industry has reached excellent growth results in recent years and is expected to continue growing in the near future. This sector is comprised of retailers that offer building materials, furniture, and other accessories, as well as contractors, tradespeople, and laborers who help to install or modify these products and services.
If you are planning a home improvement project, be sure to choose a licensed contractor. It is illegal in many counties and municipalities, including New York City, to engage in home improvement without a license. Penalties for engaging in home improvement without a license can include civil and criminal penalties. It is also important to obtain references and check with your local licensing authorities to find out if a particular contractor has a valid license. If the contractor is a corporation, the name of the corporate officer must appear on the license. If the contractor is not a corporation, the owner’s personal information should be included on the license.