Whether you’re planning to remodel, add on to your home, or just need to make some repairs, home improvement can be a big undertaking. However, if you’re prepared to invest your money in the right way, you can increase the value of your home and improve your quality of life.
1. The most common reasons people do home improvements are to enhance their homes’ look and feel or to get more for their investment.
A fresh coat of paint or a new bathroom are two of the most common home improvement projects that can instantly enhance a house’s appearance, says Michael Anderson, a senior market analyst for Zillow. A new kitchen or an en suite bathroom can also help a home stand out from the crowd, he adds.
2. The right remodeling projects can have a good immediate return on your investment and add to the resale value of your home in the future.
3. Repairs or upgrades to major systems in a home can reduce the risk of a catastrophic loss due to a system breakdown, he adds.
4. Home improvements can be a comforting investment for many homeowners in unsettling times, he says.
5. The best ways to pay for home improvement projects are to save and work on a budget or use a home improvement loan to cover the cost of the project.
6. The most dependable home improvement contractors are those that operate out of a fixed business office in a commercial location. These are typically family-owned businesses or partnerships that are reliable and offer competitive prices with warranties for the materials and workmanship.
7. The best place to start when it comes to finding a contractor is through referrals.
8. A contractor must provide a signed contract that has the company name, address and MHIC license number preprinted on it before the work starts or any money is paid.
9. The contract must be dated and show the dates the work will begin and end.
10. The contractor must have insurance and be licensed to do the work in your area.
12. The work should be completed within the allotted time frame.
13. A contractor should be available to answer questions and explain the process during and after the job is done.
14. A contractor should be honest and clear about their pricing.
15. The work should be completed in a timely manner and with minimal inconvenience to the homeowner.
16. A contractor should be able to provide references and proof of payment when requested.
17. The contractor should be a member of the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization that monitors the quality of work done in the local area.
18. The contract should be in writing and signed by both the homeowner and the contractor.
19. The contractor should not charge more than the agreed upon price for a job.
20 Conclusion: The home improvement contract law in Maryland requires that all contracts be in writing and be signed by both the consumer and the contractor before work begins or any money is paid. The Attorney General is authorized to impose penalties against contractors who violate the law.