Improve, don't move!

Top tips for your remodeling project

Forget moving house! More homeowners are choosing to ‘stay put’ and enhance their homes instead, and the team from MAD Design USA, home of heating and furniture/accessories brands EcoSmart Fire, Heatscope Heaters and Blinde Design, say now’s the perfect time for a revamp.

US Houzz & Home’s 2022 Renovation Trends report revealed that home renovation activity and spend in the US have reached their highest rates reported since 2018 – and this year more than half of homeowners (55%) plan to renovate while nearly half (46%) plan to decorate.

“The home renovation market is being driven by rising home prices and interest rates, global political and economic uncertainty, and a tight supply of homes for sale, so more people are choosing to remodel rather than relocate,” says Stephane Thomas, Director of MAD Design USA. “Contractors are also in short supply, and supply chain delays are causing materials shortages and higher costs, leading to many homeowners choosing DIY projects to remodel or expand, or to customize their indoor and outdoor spaces and make them more functional, comfortable and enjoyable.”

Stephane Thomas, director MAD Design Group

6 tips for a smoother DIY home renovation

Before

After

Know what you want to achieve. “For example, create a multi-season outdoor oasis with an EcoSmart Fire Pit or Fire Table, or a Heatscope electric radiant heater; or ‘zhuzh’ up your alfresco or interior rooms with new furniture and accessories such as concrete coffee tables or planters,” says Stephane.
Set a realistic budget for what you want to achieve. “There are ways to remodel that won’t break the bank,” Stephane remarks.
Choose products that don’t require high material or labor costs (e.g., plumbing, electricity, structural work). “Our EcoSmart Flex Series of ethanol fireplace inserts require 4 fewer contractors – plus they’re free from traditional installation restrictions, enabling multiple design options,” explains Stephane.
Select companies that provide expert guidance. “It’s important to work with professionals who give great advice. Our team of experts assist with product selection to material sourcing, project reviews to ideas,” Stephane says.
Know what you can DIY. “Rather than making structural changes to a home, MAD Design offers simple and versatile solutions to transform a home easily and without fuss,” says Stephane.
Choose 0% finance through ‘remodel now, pay later’ programs, such as Affirm or Klarna. “You can get your products quickly and start your renovations sooner,” concludes Stephane. “Sign-up is faster, easier and more transparent than credit cards.”