| Home improvement has become one of our | | | | knowledge of your local building and plumbing codes. |
| country's greatest pastimes. Americans spent an | | | | Try the following makeover projects yourself: |
| estimated $214 billion on home improvements, | | | | * Replacing a faucet, sink or toilet using existing |
| maintenance and repairs in 2001, according to | | | | plumbing |
| Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies research | | | | * Installing shower or shower-tub combination doors |
| report issued in February 2003. Just how and where | | | | * Installing new accessories, such as shelves or light |
| that money is spent can make a big difference when | | | | fixtures |
| it comes to investing in your home. | | | | * Painting, tiling or wallpapering |
| Of all the rooms in your house, bathrooms represent | | | | These projects require some skill base, but even a |
| the greatest and fastest return on your remodeling | | | | first-time do-it-yourselfer may be able to complete |
| investment. According to Remodeling Magazine, more | | | | them in a reasonable timeframe. |
| than 80 percent of your bathroom remodeling | | | | What's the Real Deal on What You Want? |
| expenses can be recouped within a year of resale. | | | | Tempted by what looks good? Check out the quality. |
| Not every room in the house offers such a return. | | | | Does that new faucet have rubber washers or plastic |
| Surprisingly, kitchens are sixth on the list with just | | | | valves? A client of mine bought a faucet five years |
| over 60 percent of the costs returned. Only | | | | ago with plastic valves and it lasted exactly four and |
| bathroom additions beat bathroom remodeling with | | | | a half years. Cheaper versions of the real thing are |
| returns over 90 percent. | | | | not repairable and have to be replaced entirely. This |
| Despite today's homeowner remodeling craze, you | | | | means you are spending twice as much in 10 years |
| should weigh the pros and cons of taking on an | | | | as you would once in a lifetime for a better faucet. |
| entire bathroom project alone. Knowledge -- including | | | | Look for quality fixture manufacturers such as |
| admitting your strengths and weaknesses -- is the | | | | American Standard. The company's Champion Toilet |
| key to successfully completing any project on time | | | | featuring America's Best Flushing System, includes a |
| and under budget. Ask yourself the following | | | | Worry-Free Decade Warranty that covers the whole |
| remodeling questions to ensure you are making the | | | | toilet inside and out. American Standard's faucets |
| best decisions for your investment. | | | | come with a lifetime warranty on the washerless |
| Is it a Remodel or Makeover? | | | | watertight seal, the function and the finish. Most of |
| "The first consideration should be the scope of | | | | its sinks and toilets are made of vitreous china that |
| work," says Rick Peters, remodeling expert and | | | | resists dirt and bacteria. Even the acrylic tubs are |
| author of "MoneySmart Makeovers: Bathrooms." He | | | | made tougher with a fiberglass bonding for extra |
| asks: "Do you understand your home's plumbing | | | | strength. |
| systems, such as where the waste/vent stack is?" | | | | Bottom line: "Your bathroom takes a daily beating," |
| If the remodeling project involves more than | | | | says Peters. "Buy quality." |
| cosmetic fixture replacements or surface | | | | Is There a Great Cover-up Waiting for You? |
| redecorating, it may be time to call in an expert to | | | | A number of times, I've ventured into bathrooms |
| assess your home's plumbing and pipe placement. | | | | that have been madeover by covering damaged tiles |
| Peters suggests the following checklist: | | | | or walls with acrylic panels. "Sure it looks better, but |
| Call a remodeling contractor when: | | | | the problem is still there," says Peters. "In fact, panels |
| * Moving a toilet, sink, tub or shower | | | | like these hold in moisture and mildew that was the |
| * Removing or adding walls | | | | problem in the first place, and now it will get worse. |
| * Installing venting that runs through the roof | | | | Make sure leaks and damage are repaired and not |
| All of these projects require specific skills and | | | | just covered up. |