Improve
Renovations That May Increase Home Value
Very few renovations return their full cost. Here is what the data consistently shows about which projects come closest — and which one…
Improve
Love where you live.
Discover renovation ideas, design inspiration, landscaping projects, energy upgrades, and practical DIY advice.
Renovation is equal parts design and logistics. The projects that go well tend to share the same traits: a realistic budget, a clear scope, a contractor who was vetted before the contract was signed, and a decision about finishes made early rather than mid-build. Start here.
Featured guide
Start here
8 chapters · 20 min read
Planning a Home Renovation
The renovations that go well share the same traits: a defined scope, a realistic budget with contingency, a vetted contractor, and finishes chosen before demolition.
Most popular in Improve
Improve
How to Plan a Home Renovation Budget
Renovations rarely go over budget for mysterious reasons. Here is where the money actually goes, and how to build a number you can hold…
Start here
New to this? These cover the fundamentals.
Improve
Smart Home Upgrades Worth Making
A short list of connected devices that solve real problems, and a few that mostly create new ones.
Improve
Landscaping Basics for New Homeowners
Good landscaping starts with water and soil, not with plants. Here is the sequence that produces a yard you can keep up with.
Improve
DIY or Hire It Out? How to Decide
The right question is not whether you could do it. It is what happens if you do it slightly wrong.
Improve
Interior Painting: How to Get a Professional Result
Painting is 70 percent preparation. Here is what separates a good result from an obvious one.
Going deeper
The working detail behind each decision.
Improve
Renovations That May Increase Home Value
Very few renovations return their full cost. Here is what the data consistently shows about which projects come closest — and which one…
Improve
How to Plan a Home Renovation Budget
Renovations rarely go over budget for mysterious reasons. Here is where the money actually goes, and how to build a number you can hold…
Improve
How to Hire a Contractor You Can Trust
The contractor you choose matters more than any material you select. Here is how to vet one properly, and what belongs in the contract.
Improve
Planning a Kitchen Remodel
Kitchens are the most expensive room per square foot in a house. Here is how to plan one so the money lands where you will notice it.
Improve
Planning a Bathroom Remodel
Bathrooms are small, wet, and unforgiving. What is behind the tile matters more than the tile.
Improve
Energy Efficiency Upgrades Ranked by Payback
The efficiency upgrades people buy first are rarely the ones that pay back first. Here is the order that actually saves money.
Improve
Planning an Outdoor Living Space
Outdoor space is some of the cheapest square footage you can add. Here is how to plan one that gets used.
Advanced topics
For specific situations and more complex transactions.
Improve
Finishing a Basement: What to Solve First
A finished basement is the cheapest square footage in most houses — but only if you solve the water problem before you frame a single w…
Common questions about home improvement
How much contingency should a renovation budget include?
Fifteen percent for straightforward work in newer homes, and twenty percent or more for older homes or anything involving structure.
Which renovations increase home value most?
Small exterior replacement projects consistently recover the most — garage doors, entry doors, siding, and landscaping. Large additions recover the least.
How do I find a good contractor?
Verify the license and insurance with the issuers, get three itemized bids on an identical written scope, and check references from projects finished six to twenty-four months ago.
Do I need a permit?
Structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work almost always require permits. Cosmetic work usually does not. Unpermitted work causes problems at resale.
Explore other topics
Buy
Make your next move with confidence.
Learn about mortgages, inspections, offers, closing costs, neighborhoods, and the complete homebuying process.
Explore Buy
Sell
Prepare, price, and sell smarter.
Get practical guidance on home preparation, staging, pricing, marketing, negotiations, and closing.
Explore Sell
Own
Homeownership made easier.
Follow maintenance schedules, prevent costly repairs, understand home systems, and protect your investment.
Explore Own