Home improvement is a general term that can be applied to a variety of home improvement projects. The concept of home improvement, home refurbishment, or even remodeling is simply the act of making improvements to a home or renovating it. Home improvement may include projects that upgrade an entire house interior, exterior or any other minor upgrades on the property. Some home improvements may also include additions like wall-to-wall carpeting and new kitchen appliances. Updating the bathroom or kitchen may also be considered as home improvement. While some home owners consider home improvement as a part of the major home renovation project, others prefer to keep minor home improvements within their budget.
One major area in the home improvement field is that of the non-profit or not for profit organizations. In some cities like Chicago, there are a large number of non-profit organizations that offer free or subsidized renovations for low and moderate income families, students and senior citizens. These programs are referred to as the “CHIPS” program or the Central Linkage Project. The “CHIPS” program is basically a funding source for low and moderate income families to assist them in completing or improving projects.
When it comes to home improvement and construction, the industry is classified into two major categories: residential and non-residential structures. The residential categories include apartment complexes, condominiums, town houses, row homes, single-family residences and mobile homes. The non-residential category includes bridges, schools, hospitals, airports, malls, fire stations, government buildings and major structures such as barns, power plants, hotels and motels.
