Unless you have good handle on home improvement, you’ll probably hire someone to do the work for you. That’s where things can get tricky. Who do you hire, and how do you know whether he’s reputable?

What is a General Contractor?

A general contractor is someone who you hire to manage, coordinate and complete a rehab project. They may or may not be specific tradespeople, but they are often a sort of “jack of all trades” who have detailed knowledge of how to complete the project…

Your home protects you from the harsh elements of nature. Over time, your home’s exterior takes a real beating – especially if you have siding. Here’s how to determine when to replace siding.

• Perform a close-up inspection of any siding that appears warped. Using a screwdriver, poke beneath the warped siding and note how firm the layer under the siding feels. If this layer feels rotted in any way, it’s probably time to replace your siding.
• Another sign that your siding allows too much moisture into your home’s walls is mold or mildew formation on the exterior of your siding. While not always a sign of failing siding, mold or mildew often signifies additional issues and should be a cause for further investigation.

If you need more space in your house, consider an addition. For many homeowners, it is a smart investment that increases livable square footage while boosting an adobe’s value. From bump-outs to micro-additions, there are plenty of ways an experienced builder can optimize your floor plan. For your renovation inspiration, we gathered our favorite room addition ideas.

1. Emphasize Natural Light with a Glass Walls Addition
2. Make Room for Houseguests with a Bedroom Addition

Creating a master bath oasis will not only improve your quality of life, it will add to your home’s resale value. To ensure you get the results you want, consider the following tips.

1. Master bathrooms are often an extension of a home’s master bedroom; they’re typically located within or adjacent to the master bedroom. For this reason, some design decisions about your master bathroom may be simplified. For example, you may want to mirror or at least emulate the master bedroom’s design.
2. Many master bathrooms add elegance to efficiency, with features like a claw-foot or whirlpool tub used as a centerpiece of the bathroom. Other elegant but useful features can include high-end flooring options, bench seating with built-in storage for linens, or a separate, private toilet area.