Improvement

January 12, 2024

Last fall we decided it was time to take on construction projects on our house and two immediately came to mind.  We have struggled with keeping the succulents alive and happy over the last three winters (the cacti seem fine with most anything).  The 10 mil plastic we placed over the porch screens kept out the bitter cold, but it filtered the sunlight and was difficult to allow air flow on nice winter days.  Last October we decided to bite the bullet and install a window system in the sunroom.  The other project was for our dogs.  We have felt bad about the kids being confined in the fenced area of our pool/patio and decided it was time to extend the fence around a larger portion of our yard.  We were taken back by the cost and delayed the project, but again bit the bullet in December.  This will also help keep Loki out of the new raised garden beds Melissa surprised me with for Christmas.  Both the fence and windows were installed this week.  This will make it easier for the succulents, the dogs, the vegetables, and Melissa and me.  This was a true home improvement.

When I looked online, I found the concept of home improvement or remodeling is the process of renovating or making additions to your home.  Home improvement can consist of projects that upgrade an existing home interior (kitchen, bath, electrical, and plumbing), exterior (masonry, concrete, siding, roofing, or windows), or other improvements to the property (lawn, garden, and fence work).  Home improvement projects can be carried out for a variety of reasons but are often completed for repair, energy savings, or to enlarge or improve the living space.  Home improvement often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, but can include lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures like gazebos, garages, and sheds.  Home or residential renovation is an almost US$300 billion industry in the US and a $48 billion industry in Canada.  The average cost per project in the US is US$3,000 and $11,000 to $15,000 in Canada.  This is a booming business.

During the pandemic home improvement was (reportedly) delayed by “supply chain issues”.  Melissa and I were wary about delays in our windows because winter was rapidly approaching.  We were assured in October the new system would arrive “within four weeks”, so I delayed installing the plastic and ordered the windows.  The system did not arrive until the 18th of December and then installation was delayed by the holidays and weather.  Ten weeks later we have the porch installed.  It looks nice and while it has gotten well below freezing for the high, the unheated porch has stayed above 55F (12.7C).  The succulents will be happy to get out of the house.  Our fence was instead delayed by code regulations.  We intended to fence the side yard and shed to the south but were told a drainage easement (effective November 2023) prevented construction.  We switched gears, had the plans redrawn and re-estimated, and had the fence installed on the north.  The kids enjoyed running in the new play area last night and have already “christened” the space.  This is something else I will need to keep tabs on.

THOUGHTS:  Professional home improvement goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization.  Sergius Orata is said to have invented the hypocaust in the 1st century BCE according to Vitruvius in his famous book De architectura.  The hypocaust is an underfloor heating system used throughout the Roman Empire in villas of the wealthy.  Orata became wealthy buying villas at a low price, adding spas and his hypocaust, and reselling them at higher prices.  On average, home improvement projects provide a 70% return on investment (ROI).  Home improvement with the best ROI are projects that add functional space and square footage.  Our porch (with HVAC) provides another room and an additional 200 square feet (18.5 m²).  This should please future buyers (and us now).  Act for all.  Change is coming and it starts with you.