Home renovation projects are not all the same and do not all cost the same. If you’re considering renovating your home, it pays to know which projects will give you the best return on investment. Sometimes the renovations you may consider valuable may in fact not be valuable to the majority of home buyers. Finding the balance that will appeal to both your needs and the needs of the local home buyers is what your overall goal should be.

It does seem that there are hundreds of different styles of homes and we use different names for the same type of homes. For example, is there a difference between a bungalow or ranch style? What about a row house or townhouse? Semi, or should I say duplex? Here are definitions for some of the more common architectural styles and types of North American homes, including some you won't often find in Canada.

1. Water, moisture, mold, and, mildew in attic spaces can indicate potential problems with areas such as ventilation, insulation, and vapour barriers. This can lead to the premature wear of the roof covering, structure and building materials as well as increasing the potential for ice damming. $2,500 - Remove existing shingles and re-shingle a 3 bedroom bungalow $2,200 - Replace sheathing on half a 3 bedroom bungalow $500 - Add R20 loose fill insulation to 1,000 sq. ft.

Renovating your home is a big decision. Whether you decide to give your kitchen a face lift or to completely renovate your home, there will be lots of work involved. First you have to determine whether you are able to do the job properly on your own. If you have no prior experience in renovations, it’s probably best to hire a contractor. Even a home owner who is experienced in renovations will usually hire a contractor based on the amount of time and skill level involved in the project.