Nearly four in five homeowners admitted theyve noticed home improvement projects they need to take care of while in quarantine, according to new research.

Some 78% have discovered new projects to be completed, and the to-do list appears to be growing as the weeks go on.

The survey of 2,000 homeowners found the average respondent has six repairs or updates theyd like to make.

But not all the desired projects will get done in one go - since the average person would need 545 to complete their top three repairs.

Updated kitchen

The research found the most common updates homeowners are dreaming of include updated kitchen countertops and cabinets (65%) and smart home technology (63%).

Three in five (61%) think their lighting, switches and outlets need an upgrade (61%), while the same number think their bathroom fixtures could use a refresh, too.

However, making home improvements are not always trouble-free, especially when doing the updates yourself.

Of the respondents, 59% have attempted a repair or renovation on their own, in the past, and of those, nearly seven in ten confessed their projects never turned out how they imagined.

Renovation mishaps

Those with home improvement experience revealed the average repair has three things go wrong, with the most common mishap being incorrect assembly (51%).

Other home setbacks were buying the wrong pieces (49%), injuries to the respondent or someone else (42%) or the end result not looking as planned (36%).

One in ten of those confessed the finished project looked even worse than before the respondent started.

Here are the reasons why improvement projects pile up:

Not having the tools - 31%

I cant decide how to proceed - 19%

Two-thirds (65%) of respondents think their home lighting isnt how theyd like it, which could be frustrating as 78% think bad lighting can severely affect the mood of a room.

Highlighting issues

These are the main lighting issues:

Not enough lighting in space - 37%

Flickering or buzzing lights - 36%

Cannot find compatible lighting for space - 26%

Two in five respondents have dimmers to help control the lighting in their home. Respondents dont just want the perfect setting, they also care about being energy-efficient.

Four in five think its important to have energy-efficient LED bulbs in their homes, but many are at a loss when it comes to installation compatibility with LED bulbs and dimmers.

If ever unsure about lighting set-up or installation, consult with an electrician.

Bill Grande, senior director of product management for lighting company Leviton, who commissioned the study, said: As many of us are spending more time at home, it makes sense that we are looking to take on projects to improve the aesthetic, safety and functionality of our homes.

Now is the perfect time to make easy DIY upgrades to your lighting and lighting controls as these things truly determine the overall look and feel of your home.

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Here's what tops the home improvements wishlist - Morpeth Herald

Do you like Huey Lewis and The News?

Um, nevermind. Anyway, usually when you see a house in need of some TLC, rarely is it a house like this. You know, usually, a house in need of TLC is a dilapidated hybrid of an early '90s ranch with sponge-painted walls in a vile array of Southwestern pastels, complete with chunky brass fixtures, plush wall-to-wall carpeting that absolutely does not have beautiful hardwood underneath, and mirrors mirrors everywhere. Not to mention bad plumbing, electrical, and a foundation that is crumbling faster than that of America's many oppressive systemic beliefs. Zing!

This architecturally significant home, designed by late Ohio architect and urban-design advocate David Niland, is not lost to time just yet, but by the looks of these photos, its next owner may want to put some energy into restoring it to its former glory. With four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, this 3,286 square-foot home which has recently been reduced by $50,000 sits on private and wooded half-acre. In addition to some restoration, whoever buys this home might want to consider an accent wall because this place is whiter than an intro to a lettuce wrap recipe. Bam!

The white exterior is offset by oak hardwood floors and ample sunlight, which is partially credited to the central feature of the home, a solarium with a brick heated floor, so heated, in fact, that it's hotter than... oh, nevermind. Just buy this house and invite us over to watch some videotapes, would ya?

This home is listed by Pat Durston of Reinhart Realtors.

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This architecturally significant home in Ann Arbor needs some love or a Patrick Bateman and it's just been reduced by $50k - Detroit Metro Times

Soffit and fascia are the names of the horizontal and vertical parts of roof overhang. Applying aluminum to these surfaces is one of the best ways to keep them looking good. Steve Maxwell

When it comes to home ownership, there are a few recurring traps that continue to catch the inexperienced. Maintaining outdoor wood is one of them. Unless youve tried to keep outdoor wood looking more refined than barn board over the long haul, you probably have no idea how much ongoing work finishing and refinishing can be. This is true for soffit (the underside of roof overhang) and especially true for fascia (the vertical edge of a roof). The combination of sun, moisture and ladder-only access means that maintaining wooden soffit and fascia is exceptionally challenging. This is why, even for a purist like me, I still love aluminum soffit and fascia on a house. Did you know that its also surprisingly easy to install yourself?

Every building supply outlet offers pre-shaped, factory-finished aluminum soffit and fascia material. This material is inexpensive, easy to cut and bend, and the factory finish lasts for many decades without deterioration. Its also easier to install than you might think. Sure, theres the challenge of working safely at height on a ladder, but the actual task of installing your own soffit and fascia is simpler than other DIY tasks that are more common. Let me try to convince you with three installation facts.

Fact 1: Its Easy to Cut

Tin snips are the generic term for scissor-like tools made to cut sheet metal, and tin snips do a very good job cutting aluminum soffit and fascia to length. The thing is, aluminum is so soft that you can also cut this stuff with a pair of heavy scissors. Got a big, square cut to make right across some soffit and fascia? Any woodworking chop saw can cut this stuff very quickly and easily using an ordinary carbide tooth blade of the sort thats used with wood all the time. Be sure to wear safety glasses (bits of aluminum fly around) and hearing protection (its noisier than cutting wood).

Fact 2: Fascia Expands A Lot

Everything in the universe expands and contracts with changes in temperature, and aluminum soffit and fascia is certainly one of them. If you take a 10-foot long piece of dark brown aluminum fascia from the cool shade and put it into full sun on a summer day, that piece will grow in length by almost a quarter of an inch. Why does this matter? Buckling and waviness.

If you install fascia on a cold, cloudy day, and you secure that fascia firmly, I guarantee that when it warms up and the sun comes out, your fascia will develop unsightly waves and buckles. This is especially true with dark colours. It looks terrible because the undulations are magnified by the shadows that form on the vertical surfaces. The solution? There are two. The first is to install fascia on a hot, sunny day whenever possible. Theres no problem with fascia shrinking after installation. The other solution is coming up.

Fact 3: Fastening Loosely Is Key

Installing lengths of fascia when its warmest and longest is a great approach, but you need to do more. You also need to secure the fascia so its free to expand and contract freely while also being held to your house. How? Oversized nail holes. All fascia must only be held in two places. First, the top edge tucks underneath the metal drip edge where the shingles stop at the edge of the roof. The bottom edge of the fascia is held with nails driven up through the bottom edge of the fascia and into the roof frame. Drill oversized holes through the fascia to allow side-to-side movement while still being held by the head of the nail. Never drive a nail into the face of fascia because it will prevent expansion and trigger buckling and waviness.

Visit baileylineroad.com/8691 for a detailed free tutorial on DIY soffit and fascia installation (Link for online layout: https://baileylineroad.com/installing-hassle-free-aluminum-soffit-and-fascia. Anchor text: soffit and fascia installation).

Steve Maxwell is always amazed at how much better a building looks when you install soffit and fascia properly. Visit Steve online at BaileyLineRoad.com and join 31,000 people who look forward to his free Saturday morning newsletter each week.

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Maxwell: DIY soffit and fascia installation - The Sudbury Star

Forget beach home renovationsHGTV's new show, Renovation Island, follows a family of six as they renovate an entire resort on a tropical island.

In the new show, home renovation experts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler move to The Bahamas with their four children to restore a rundown beachfront resort. The backstory? Three years ago, Bryan, a licensed contractor, and Sarah, a design expert, took a trip to the small island of South Andros. They spotted an abandoned 1960s-era resort and dreamed of renovating it into world-class island getaway. Everyone said we were crazy, Sarah said in a statement. But our hearts said yesthis is the right thing to do.

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Spanning 10 acres, the resort, which has been on the market for 10 years, is huge. In the show, the Baeumler family works to transform the spacious property into an oasis with 18 luxury hotel rooms and 22 oceanfront villas. With a small staff, the couple tackles a bunch of renovation projects within a tight six-month timeline. Along with the rooms and villas, they also build and restore and a bunch of resort amenities, including a restaurant, club house, spa, bar, and in-ground pool.

In the first episode, which premiered on Sunday, the Baeumler family says goodbye to their home and travels to South Andros Island. As they start to renovate the 50-year-old property, they uncover major termite damage. Throughout the season, they face other unexpected issues like extensive rust, a maxed budget, and a threat of a hurricane.

Want to follow the Baeumler's journey? You can catch Renovation Island Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on HGTV.

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This New HGTV Show Follows a Family of Six as They Restore an Abandoned Resort in The Bahamas - HouseBeautiful.com

The Hector House along Broadway in north Fargo has been undergoing extensive renovations over almost the past decade and has been featured more than once on HGTV's "House Hunters" as Aaland worked first on the interior and then on the exterior of the six bedroom, five bathroom home.

The home, built in 1893 by Martin Hector, is listed for sale at $1.4 million.

In the listing for the home with ornate woodwork throughout it states that it "has been brought back to life" with new siding, roof, windows and a completely refurbished kitchen.

The listing also points to the home's formal dining room with a table that can seat 22 people, a third-floor ballroom, five fireplaces, heated floors, two stairwells, a butler's pantry and a second-story wrap-around deck with about 2,800 square feet of "outdoor living."

Sitting on almost an acre of land, the home's exterior offers new landscaping, a separate apartment and garage structure, with a beautifully redone front porch, missing for decades, with stately pillars and an elegant carport.

Aaland declined another interview with The Forum about her home and pending sale.

The doctor, who has overseen the renovation work, bought the mansion in 2011 to entertain people, she said, and has shared the home during fundraising tours.

"I think that some of these grand old homes are meant to share, and I think that a good way of sharing is to open them up for good cause," said Aaland in an earlier interview with The Forum.

"It's just a house that's meant to entertain," she said. "It's just a wonderful, warm home."

Aaland was hoping to keep alive the legacy of her home's original owner, Hector International Airport namesake Martin Hector, in her renovation work.

It's also a way of showcasing the possibilities of investing in older, established neighborhoods, she said in the earlier interview.

"It's really a community effort to further develop the aging communities of our city," Aaland said.

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Historic Fargo home renovated and ready to sell | INFORUM - INFORUM

SINGAPORE: More than 19,000 suspended home renovation projects have been given the green light to resume work, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said in an update on Saturday (Jun 13).

All other types of renovation work will be allowed to submit applications to start work from Monday, depending on the availability of workers and supplies. These projects can include new home renovations as well as new and previously suspended renovations for industrial and commercial projects.

Companies should submit applications to BCA at https://go.gov.sg/bca-reno-construction-accounts if they employ construction work permit and S Pass holders, and if these workers were not listed in earlier approved applications to restart suspended residential renovation works.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

BCA also said on Saturday that more than 300 construction projects have received approval to resume work.

The authority is working to help construction firms of another 250 projects meet the requirements needed for their projects to resume work safely, it added.

"This is necessary to prevent another COVID-19 outbreak among construction workers, who account for the majority of COVID-19 cases in Singapore," said BCA.

Construction companies can check if they are ready to resume work by utilising a self-check tool at https://go.gov.sg/bca-project-readiness, said BCA.

"The self-check tool enables a company to assess whether its project can meet the three COVID-Safe Restart Criteria, including: COVID-Safe Worker Accommodation and Transport, COVID-Safe Workforce and COVID-Safe Worksite," said BCA.

Downloadourappor subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak:https://cna.asia/telegram

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More than 19000 home renovation projects allowed to resume work after circuit breaker - CNA

Steve Harvey and Tyler Perry with the house (Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage and Cindy Ord, via Getty Images, and Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International)

Steve Harvey is the new owner of a sprawling estate outside Atlanta once owned by his friend, actor and producer Tyler Perry.

The comedian and TV host paid $15 million for the 17-acre property, according to TMZ. The main house is nearly 35,000 square feet with seven bedrooms and a slew of amenities.

The most extravagant might be the underground ballroom. Theres also a wine cellar, gym, theater and an indoor resistance pool.

The grounds include a lighted tennis court, infinity pool, a guest house, and a runway for remote-controlled planes.

Perry bought the estate in 2007 for $9 million and sunk several million dollars into a renovation. He sold it in 2016 to evangelist David Turner for $17.5 million. Turner put the property on the market in 2018 for $25 million.

The two have been friends for a number of years. Harvey made a cameo appearance in at least one of Perrys films, 2009s Madea Goes to Jail.

Harvey hosted Family Feud and his syndicated radio show in Atlanta for most of the last decade, but in 2018 moved both productions along with his now-canceled talk show to Los Angeles, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Harvey rented a mansion in Beverly Park, but theres no word if hes locked down a more permanent home in the L.A. area. [TMZ] Dennis Lynch

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Steve Harvey picks up friend Tyler Perrys old Atlanta mansion for $15M - The Real Deal

As a homeowner or investor, it's easy to want to upgrade and improve your home to the highest possible quality and standard. It only seems logical that using the best materials, finest finishes, or top-of-the-line upgrades should get you the most bang for your buck. But in reality, some renovations won't justify the cost when it comes time to sell.

Whether you're a homeowner doing some home upgrades or an investor rehabbing an investment property, learn what it means to over-improve a property and ways to avoid it.

Over improving a property means the total cost of the improvements exceeds the value the improvements add to the underlying property value. Essentially, the property owner is unable to recoup the money spent when it comes time to sell the property.

There is no denying that certain improvements can increase property value, but the extent of the renovation, the type of finishes, or the size of the renovation job can add or detract from the total recoupable value.

It's fairly common for homeowners to over-improve their homes because they're upgrading to their preferences and taste and likely desire the best quality and features they can achieve for their money. This may be nice while you live in the home, but the cost of the improvement may not be justified in the long run when it comes time to sell. Below are some of the ways investors and homeowners can avoid over-improving their homes and make sure they get the most from their renovation dollars.

While features, upgrades, and improvements are one factor in a property's value, location also plays a key role. Real estate, especially residential real estate, is largely valued by comparing the subject property to similar properties in the immediate market, which are called comps. Home buyers are expecting to pay within a general price range to obtain a certain quality of housing for that neighborhood. So when a home has exceeded those standards, especially to a large degree, there will be limited comps to justify a dramatic increase in price or value.

Before starting a renovation, property owners should first look at the quality of upgrades and type of features other homes in their immediate neighborhood have, and then aim to match the standards of the market. For example, if no one has a pool in your neighborhood, spending $30,000 on a pool installation could cost more than the value it will bring. However, if 75% of the homes in your neighborhood have a pool and people shopping for homes in that area want or expect that, it likely would increase your property value in the long run.

Marble or quartz countertops may be top of the line or a trending kitchen feature, but if you live in a neighborhood where most kitchens have laminate counters, it's highly unlikely that this upgrade will be repaid in the long run.

If all of the homes surrounding your property are between 950 square feet and 1,200 square feet and you decide to build a home addition that brings your home up to 2,000 square feet, there will be limited comps to justify an increase in value.

Matching the market is key. Being the nicest home on the block rarely brings your personal property value up, as the greater neighborhood dictates values for the area.

Some improvements have a higher return on investment than others. For example, installing a new roof if yours is on its last legs is a worthwhile investment. Small improvements, in most cases, produce the greatest return, especially if you're preparing your home to sell. Painting walls may not seem like a big upgrade, but changing your multi-color walls to a more neutral color that matches current decor trends will be more appealing to buyers and is a low-cost upfront investment. Painting your kitchen cabinets or adding a new backsplash may be a relatively cheap improvement that will get you a greater return than a full kitchen remodel would bring.

It can be challenging to know which upgrades are worth the cost and which aren't. Enlist the help and advice from a Realtor in your area. They can help advise you on what improvements would be valued in your market or what would be an over-improvement.

In the end, don't forget that you're the one living in your home. While it's wonderful if you can add value to your property and create equity through improvements, how long you plan to be in the home and the level of comfort you're trying to achieve also comes into play. Just make sure you're comfortable with the cost and are aware of how much value an improvement will bring once completed.

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Over Improving Property: What it Means and Why You Should Avoid It - Motley Fool

David and Victoria Beckham recently submitted plans to the West Oxfordshire District Council in order to make some renovations to their Cotswolds home. One such addition to the property is a gatehouse and security hut, which includes 24-hour guards. However, their neighbors have voiced opposition to these planned changes.

According to The Sun, one of the neighbors said that adding the gatehouse would ruin the upscale neighborhood. They reportedly believe that the changes would ruin the ambiance of the area. One neighbor, John Walsby, said that "Farms and agricultural buildings do not have gatehouses and security huts." He said that these efforts are totally out of keeping with the area.

The current plans and objections are in the councilors' possession. They will review the materials and make a determination about whether or not to allow the new renovations. They could make a decision in the coming weeks.

One reason for the proposed security hut is a violent incident involving Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli and his girlfriend. Two men in black balaclavas broke into Alli's North London property on May 12 and held them at knifepoint. The robbers took several items including jewelry and watches before fleeing the scene.

The Beckhams currently have two full-time security guards on their staff. These guards would spend 24 hours a day in the hut, provided officials approve the plans. The Beckham's also said that the hut would "improve security for occupants" of the mansion and the surrounding grounds.

In addition to the hut, the proposed plans include other significant changes to the property. The Beckhams want to build an escape tunnel that will run from the main house. It will end in the wine cellar underneath their garage. They also want to add three more bays to their garage, increasing the total to seven.

While the majority of plans focus on their home security, the Beckhams also submitted a proposal for a "granny flat. This detached outbuilding would provide visiting guests with a place to stay during their visits to the Cotswold mansion. However, this will not be a simple guest suite.

"David and Victoria want their version of a granny flat," a source told The Sun. "But far from this building being on the side of your house with a small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, they're going all out. The fancy building is being built in the same materials as their main house and will have a swanky kitchen, bathroom and bedroom for guests."

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David and Victoria Beckham's Neighbors Are Fuming Over Their Latest Home Renovation Plans - PopCulture.com

From tomorrow, all types of renovation work, including new and previously suspended projects for non-residential premises, will be allowed to submit applications to start work, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) yesterday.

The resumption of renovation works for home owners will be dependent on the companies' availability of manpower and supplies.

If companies employ construction work permit and S Pass holders, and if these workers were not listed in earlier approved applications to restart suspended residential renovation works, companies should also submit applications to BCA to seek approval for the workers.

Previously, only construction projects that had been suspended during the circuit breaker period could apply to restart work.

More than 19,000 suspended home renovation projects have received approval to resume since the circuit breaker period ended on June 1.

The BCA has also approved the resumption of work for more than 300 construction projects. The authority is working closely with construction firms on another 250 projects to help them meet the requirements necessary for their projects to resume safely.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said some renovation contractors whose workers are residing in dormitories that have not yet been declared clear of the coronavirus by the Inter-Agency Taskforce will have to wait for clearance before the workers can resume work.

He said: "We are also aware that some workers may still be in Malaysia and cannot travel to Singapore. There are contractors who may be unable to secure certain materials due to supply chain disruptions. For these reasons, there may still be delays in the renovation works even after approval has been given."

The BCA has worked with trade associations and chambers, including the Singapore Contractors Association and the Micro Builders Association of Singapore, to develop guidelines for companies resuming construction work.

Companies can assess their readiness to resume work by filling in an online self-assessment form at this website to find out if a project has met the required criteria to resume.

Based on the results of the self-assessment, companies that are ready to resume a project will receive an e-mail with a link for them to apply for approval to restart work.

Upon receiving approval from the BCA, construction workers residing in private residential properties and Housing Board premises can start work.

Workers residing in dormitories will be able to work only after their dormitories have been cleared.

All construction workers who are work permit or S Pass holders will subsequently need to undergo regular Covid-19 testing after they start work. The BCA will assist companies with scheduling these tests.

Local interior design firm TBG Interior Design managed to have all 12 of its suspended home renovation projects resume work earlier this month. The firm's director, Mr Michael Ong, said he has five new projects that have been on hold.

He said: "The home owners are very eager to start on the renovations. But it will not be so easy as manpower is tight."

He currently has 15 available workers, with another eight who are either residing in dormitories that have not been cleared, or stuck in Malaysia or India.

He said: "It will be tough to manage all the projects since manpower is spread thin."

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Coronavirus: All types of renovation projects can apply to start work - The Straits Times