The popularity of HGTV (Home & Garden Television) has created a
thriving market in do-it-yourself home improvement and interior
decorating. All sectors of the home improvement industry have
benefited since HGTV started airing in 1975.
The real estate boom was followed by a home improvement boom.
People would buy a old house and want to redecorate the house
from floor to ceiling. People who had lived in their houses for
a while wanted new kitchen cabinets. The home improvement shows
were an impetus for a massive movement by homeowners to start a
remodeling revolution
The home improvements that people take on include makeovers from
the attic to the basement. They perform functional repairs like
fixing a leaky roof, replacing windows, and adding more room to the
house. Then there are the projects that are just for the
beautification of the home like updating kitchen, remodeling a
master bedroom.
Some people use home improvement as a creative outlet. They paint
and redesign just for the satisfaction of improving their living
space. HGTV has been a large contributor to the home improvement
revival.
HGTV reaches 89 million households every week and over 800,000
nightly prime time viewers. The format of the show has been copied
several times and spin offs like Trading
Spaces, Extreme Makeovers. Viewers sit for hours watching
“Design on a Dime” “Devine Design”, “Landscapers Challenge”.
The home improvement shows just keep coming.
HGTV provides instructions for thousands of home improvement projects.
They provide video clips for everything from garden projects to
constructing a bed. HGTV is the one-stop resource for finding anything
you need for expert help with “doing it yourself” projects.
HGTV makes home improvement look easy and fun. HGTV gives viewers
new ideas and inspires the week end warrior to do some type of home
improvement project. HGTV mission is “to provide ideas, information,
and inspiration for decorating and home improvement”.
The impact that HGTV has on home improvement can be measured in these
statistics.
Furniture sales grew by 75%, between Between 1995-2005
Sales of home furnishings increased 97% in this same period.
These items included soft goods as well, carpets, lamps, area rugs,
linens, glassware
People all over the country are decorating their homes to look like
these superbly beautiful fantasy creations that they view on HGTV.
If you are not a “do it yourselfer” you can just imagine the way your
home might look when you go on tours of million dollar home all
across the country. You see people who look like you making grand
improvements to shacks that end up looking like your dream home.
HGTV has had a dramatic impact on the home improvement industry
because HGTV appeals to the age group of people who have the money
to pay for major home improvement projects. The demographics of the
typical HGTV is a female age 35-64 years old. Over 70% of HGTV
viewers are females.
That means that the female viewers are encouraging husband, fathers,
brother to do the work so they can enjoy the benefits.
The additional general consumer demographics for home improvement by
female indicate:
They shop more often
Visit more stores
Spend more than the typical shopper
The target demographic for the Do It Yourself Website is:
Homeowners
Ages 25-54
Incomes of $60,000
Internet access
Propensity for home improvement
The home Improvement Research Institute studies show that both men
and women are active participants in the planning of home improvement
projects as well as the purchase of those products used for
improvement.
By: Tim Gorman
Posts Tagged ‘Home Improvement Project’
Home Improvement And Repair Projects Have Never Been More Popular And Easier To Accomplish
April 20th, 2010Practicing Safety In Home Improvement
March 28th, 2010
With the high prices of contractors these days, lots of people are doing their own home improvement projects. This is a great way to save money, but one area the average homeowner may be lacking in is knowledge about basic safety rules that should be observed for any home improvement project.
Common safety practices include wearing protective clothing like gloves, masks and eye wear, reading labels and adhering to manufacturers instructions and discarding any waste products in the proper manner.
It makes sense to use gloves, earphones, glasses and masks if you are repairing or improving the home including the use of chemicals such as paint. Thus, purchase a work kit including work gloves, goggles, hearing guards and particle masks before starting any project that could cause you harm.
Safety is critical in any home improvement or repair project that you are attempting yourself. Therefore, if you are starting a project which has risks, like using chemicals, be sure you read allthe instructions carefully before you begin. Once you finish the project remember to wash your hands thoroughly for removal of any residue which can linger on your skin. If you are using paint then try using regular salad oil to remove paint, or stains from your skin.
Electrical work can be tricky and you may want to call a professional. At the very least, check the components of any electrical parts you are trying to repair for labels or markings and read them completely before starting your project.
If you are repairing, electrical outlets be sure to mark the wires before putting in the new component. Usually, the wires are already marked, however sometimes the markings wear off. Therefore, when you figure out which wire goes where you should mark it before putting the plate cover back on. Also, make sure you shut down the breakers to that outlet and that your skin is dry before starting to work on anything electrical.
In addition to safety measures, you also need the right tool for the job or you will find yourself getting very frustrated and maybe even doing damage to the project or yourself. Some common tools include paint brushes, rollers and edgers, painters tape, screwdrivers, hammers, drills, joint putty, pipe wrenches and so on.
For the best results when painting it is a good ideas to buy the ‘natural” bristled brushes. These work better with paint and go on in a nice smooth coat. When the brushes are not in use put them in a safe area and remember to clean them as recommended for the type of paint you are using so that they will last a long time. Other tools that you are not using should also be kept in a safe area. If you are using sponge paintbrushes for decorative painting or touch-ups throw the brushes away once you are done so that they do not get mixed up with your household sponges!
Safety in home improvement projects is not difficult provided you read and follow directions on any product or tool you are using. Most any purchases made come complete with guides, which instruct you how the job is done. Making sure that you read all instructions before installing, repairing or improving the home can help you stay safe.
It might seem like extra work, but putting safety first can help you avoid problems later on. The last thing anybody needs is to start a home improvement project t save money and end up paying high hospital bills as the result!
By: Lee Dobbins