Home improvement, home renovation, or remodeling is the process of renovating or making additions to one’s home. Home improvement can be 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).
Types of home improvement
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:
Comfort
- Upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
- Upgrading rooms with luxuries, such as adding gourmet features to a kitchen or a hot tub spa to a bathroom.
- Increasing the capacity of plumbing and electrical systems.
- Waterproofing basements.
- Soundproofing rooms, especially bedrooms and baths.
Maintenance and repair
Maintenance projects can include:
- Roof tear-off and replacement.
- Replacement or new construction windows.
- Concrete and masonry repairs to the foundation and chimney.
- Repainting rooms, walls or fences
- Repairing plumbing and electrical systems.
Additional space
Additional living space may be added by:
- Turning marginal areas into livable spaces such as turning basements into recrooms, home theaters, or home offices – or attics into spare bedrooms.
- Extending one’s house with rooms added to the side of one’s home or, sometimes, extra levels to the original roof. Such a new unit of construction is called an “add-on”.[2]
Saving energy
Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:
- Energy-efficient thermal insulation, replacement windows, and lighting.
- Renewable energy with biomass pellet stoves, wood-burning stoves, solar panels, wind turbines, programmable thermostats, and geothermal exchange heat pumps (see autonomous building).
Safety and preparedness
Emergency preparedness safety measures such as:
- Home fire and burglar alarm systems.
- Fire sprinkler systems to protect homes from fires.
- Security doors, windows, and shutters.
- Storm cellars as protection from tornadoes and hurricanes.
- Bomb shelters especially during the 1950s as protection from nuclear war.
- Backup generators for providing power during power outages.
STEPS FOR BECOMING HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR:
Home Improvement Contractors restore, update and expand pre-existing residential buildings. Often trained as carpenters, these professionals may eventually become self-employed business owners, overseeing crews to complete renovation projects. The work involved in home improvement contracting is physically demanding and often performed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | High school diploma or equivalent; postsecondary training is available |
| Degree Field | Construction |
| Experience | At least five years of on-the-job training, generally in the carpentry field, often in the form of an apprenticeship |
| Licensure or Certification | Licensing is often required; voluntary certification is available |
| Key Skills | Manual dexterity; good problem-solving skills, stamina to lift, climb and stand for long periods of time, ability to operate common hand and power tools and accurately measure and record information, ability to read plans, physical strength |
| Salary (2015) | $59,970 per year (Median salary for general contractors) |
Step 1: Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent
In order to become licensed or pursue further education making one more competitive in this field, it is necessary to complete a high school diploma or equivalent. Individuals interested in pursuing this career often take classes in math and drawing, or attend vocational schools for shop construction experience.
Step 2: Pursue Career Training
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that many individuals in the construction industry are trained on the job through apprenticeships or through completion of a technical program. Some schools offer semester-long courses specifically designed to prepare students for the Home Improvement Contractor license exam in a particular state.
Alternatively, a career diploma program in home remodeling and repair may allow for independent study in reading construction plans, installing fixtures and remodeling rooms. Programs might also cover business topics such as accounting and marketing.
Step 3: Obtain Licensure or Registration
Depending on local regulations, Home Improvement Contractors may be required to register with their city or state and/or obtain licenses. Requirements vary, and both construction and business licenses may be necessary. Independent contractors must also register as state business taxpayers.
In some states, a candidate must pass a licensing exam on home improvement, business, and labor laws. In other jurisdictions, individuals might have to acquire a Home Improvement Contractor License plus a Home Improvement Salesperson License or registration in order to negotiate contracts with homeowners. Some states require construction licenses in home improvement.
Step 4: Earn a College Degree
According to the BLS, a college degree and basic business skills are recommended for construction contractors. A BA in Construction Science can provide training in business management and building techniques. A list of associate, baccalaureate, and master programs accredited by the American Council for Construction Education can be found on the organization’s website (http://www.acce-hq.org/accredited_programs/category/associate-programs/).
Step 5: Consider Certification
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers voluntary certification to those with a minimum of five years of experience in the home improvement industry. The NARI certification exam covers codes, laws, safety standards and industry-specific skills. Certification demonstrates a level of professional knowledge and experience to homeowners. Other certifications include OSHA (Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration) 10 and 30, training which can now be completed online.
STARTUP FOR OWN HOME IMPROVEMENT BUSINESS:
Home improvement businesses serve homeowners and real estate investors by providing a range of construction- and renovation-related services. Home improvement contractors can specialize in repairing damage to homes, building new additions to homes or both. Starting your own contracting business requires experience and skill in both construction and project management. Knowing the steps to start your own successful home improvement business can get you off the ground and running quickly.
Determine the types of home improvement services you would like to perform. This will affect a range of decisions you make in future steps. Contractors do not have to start by offering a full range of home renovation services. A new home improvement business could start by specializing in deck construction, for example, or electrical work.
Select a form of business organization, and register your business in your state. For a small startup business, consider using either the sole proprietorship, partnership or limited liability company (LLC) form of organization. Sole proprietorships and partnerships feature the most managerial liberty, but LLCs provide a layer of liability protection that can be valuable if you plan to perform potentially dangerous activities.
Purchase all necessary tools, and obtain enough money to purchase materials for your first job. For each type of work you plan to offer in the start-up stage of your business, list the tools and machinery required to perform the jobs. Purchase enough tools to accommodate your entire crew to maximize the team’s efficiency and productivity. Consider taking out a small business loan or opening a business credit card, if needed, to purchase the tools you need. Also, consider buying used rather than new equipment at first to lower your start-up costs.
Market your services to the public. Relationship marketing can be a powerful tool for home improvement contractors. Form partnerships with local real estate agents and complementary service providers to gain referrals. List your services in local print publications and online. When you secure your first jobs, ask your clients to allow you to place a small yard sign advertisement in their front yard while you are working, and always ask for personal referrals.
Focus on after-job customer service to strengthen relationships with customers and spread word-of-mouth advertising. The most successful home improvement businesses understand that loyal customers are more profitable than first-time customers. Cultivating long-term relationships with satisfied customers can ensure you always have a backlog of job orders.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP 