21 Home Improvement Projects to Tackle in 2022

He says the pandemic has forced many people to prioritize family life and adopt a more agile approach to their well-being. Musselwhite says the supply of treated lumber, the kind that’s going into all those new decks and fences, shrank early in the pandemic, as stay-at-home orders slowed production. With the huge spike in demand, prices for deck boards and fence posts more than doubled — and supply dried up. Similar with framing lumber, the type used to make the skeletons of single family homes. And a lot of the work going on in backyards slips under the radar of people like Anderson. Astoria Camille, for instance, is working on a scrappy project behind her mother’s home in Kansas City’s Troostwood neighborhood.

• In addition to the flagship program, viewers can tune in to the spin-off TV show Ask This Old House, in which the cast helps homeowners with smaller-scale repairs and upgrades.
• Detroit pride factors heavily into the series, which is no surprise since Tim Allen moved to Michigan with his family when he was 11.
• For many homeowners with low incomes, however, keeping up with mortgage payments—let alone home maintenance—was especially challenging last year.
• Go see their past work for yourself and look at recently completed projects and something from at least 18 months ago.
• “So we put a playhouse down first and then found the kids liked it so much that we went ahead and built a living room. And then my wife needed the space to work.”
• Add to that the cost of all the improvements you have made over the years to get a grand total, which is known as the “adjusted cost basis.”

If your property has an outside swimming pool, especially one that is run down, you might want to consider filling it in. Out the back a well-designed garden can add a great deal of value, it should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, rather than an expanse of grass. It’s essential to trim borders, clear pathways and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes, particularly if they block direct sunlight into the property. Never underestimate a tidy, clean room and pay special attention to high-impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Remember that government agencies are even offering financial assistance for these types of fixes to help with eco-friendly initiatives. You’d be surprised what a simple coat of paint can do to the aesthetic of your home. There are plenty of things that could benefit from a fresh coat, from cabinets to stairwells to an accent wall—research which colors work best where. For example, light colors make small rooms look bigger, so brighten up bathrooms and smaller areas with those. Be sure to consult with a professional on which type of paint to use before purchasing, as some are less susceptible to mold and mildew if used in a bathroom. Depending on your DIY confidence and budget, a backsplash is a great option to upgrade a kitchen or bathroom with a punch of color or mosaic pattern.

Save when you sell

Conventional wisdom among estate agents is that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, so if you’re thinking of improving with a view to selling on, this is a good place to start. A new kitchen can add 5% to the value of your home while a new bathroom can add 3% according to figures from Zoopla. If you refinance with an FHA loan, you’ll need 15% equity in your home.

Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s House & Home Improvement alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners. The home remodeling market has been in continued expansion despite the pandemic. Energy-efficient thermal insulation, replacement windows, and lighting.

Maximum Value Mechanical Projects: Water Systems

Buyers look for communities with cohesive looks or specific aesthetics. When you’re showing your home to potential buyers, small touches make a big difference. Easy changes like fluffy bathroom towels, updated kitchen cabinet hardware, and fresh paint in the guest bathroom don’t cost too much.