Home Improvements
Whether it's dealing with the leaky windows or installing a sparkling new kitchen, planning for home improvements and dealing with defects is on the mind of most every homeowner. Find out what improvements add value, how to hire contractors, and in the worst case, who to sue over problems.
Choosing the Right Home Improvements
Choosing the Right Home Improvements
-
Do Home Improvements Add Value?
Find out which home improvements will add the most value to your home.
-
Is Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) a Good Investment?
Considerations when deciding whether to invest in constructing an ADU on one's property for purposes of renting out.
Legal and Financial Matters
Legal and Financial Matters
-
Financing Your Home Improvement Project
Learn about the different ways to pay for your home improvement project.
-
Contractor Does Lousy Work, Files Mechanics' Lien for Nonpayment: Now What?
You say the contractor doesn't deserve payment, but now the contractor has put a lien on your house: What's next?
-
Choosing the Best Contractor for Home Improvements
By choosing a good home improvement contractor, you can ensure the work is done well and to your specifications, avoid payment disputes, reduce problems during the job, and weed out scammers.
-
Zoning Rules Changed After I Bought House: Can I Still Add On?
What happens when your long-planned improvements suddenly don't fit within local zoning allowances.
Information for Home Contractors
Information for Home Contractors
-
Home Contractors: What to Do About Non-Paying Homeowners
You did the home construction work, but the homeowner won't pay up: Now what?
-
I Did Home Repairs Under Oral Agreement, Now Homeowner Won't Pay. What Now?
Even without a written contract, you can pursue, not to mention sue, a non-paying homeowner.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
-
The Essential Guide for First-Time Homeowners: Maximize Your Investment & Enjoy Your New Home
Get in-depth information on remodeling, working with contractors, avoiding legal issues concerning home improvements, which improvements reduce capital gains tax, and more.
-
California Mechanics' Lien Kit for Homeowners
Don't let contractors place a mechanics' lien on your property -- shorten their deadline for filing using the legal forms and instructions in Nolo's California Mechanics' Lien Kit for Homeowners.
-
Choosing the Best Contractor for Home Improvements
By choosing a good home improvement contractor, you can ensure the work is done well and to your specifications, avoid payment disputes, reduce problems during the job, and weed out scammers.
-
Contractor Does Lousy Work, Files Mechanics' Lien for Nonpayment: Now What?
You say the contractor doesn't deserve payment, but now the contractor has put a lien on your house: What's next?
-
Perhaps you have heard of a "mechanic's lien" on a construction project. What is this document and how does it affect your rights?
-
Mechanic's Liens: A Guide for Contractors and Subcontractors
How mechanics' liens help contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers recover money for work, labor, materials, or services related to repairing or improving a piece of real property.
Zoning and Permitting Issues for Home Improvements
MoreZoning and Permitting Issues for Home Improvements
-
FAQs About Buying a Home That's a Designated Historic Property
With a home that's listed on registers of historic places, what are the limits, benefits, and so on?
-
Zoning Rules Changed After I Bought House: Can I Still Add On?
What happens when your long-planned improvements suddenly don't fit within local zoning allowances.
Talk to a Real Estate attorney.
How It Works
- Briefly tell us about your case
- Provide your contact information
- Choose attorneys to contact you