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Home Improvement

Thinking about remodeling that antiquated kitchen, or installing a roof-top hot tub for those foggy SF nights? Check out these articles and resources to find out what home improvements will return the most value.

Web Resources

ABAG Earthquake Maps and Information. This website offers maps of Bay Area earthquake danger zones, along with tips for improving the safety of your own home in the next trembler.

Home Maintenance and Repair. This web site includes cleaning and repair tips for a variety of common tasks.

San Francisco Architectural Styles. The website offers overviews of the Victorian architectural styles that you can find in San Francisco.

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection. The Department of Building Inspection controls permits for all remodeling projects in San Francisco. This building permit FAQ on their site contains 120 frequently asked questions about San Francisco building permits.

Articles and Advice

Planning Commission Moves Closer to Garage Policy. Find out what the SF Planning Commission has in store for new garage permits. (10.17.2006)

Is Your Home Ready for Winter?: Use this checklist to make sure your home is ready for the coming rainy seaon.

Remodeling Cost to Value Report 2005: This report shows city-by-city statistics about how spending money on remodeling can increase the value of your property. For example, in San Francisco, a bathroom remodel recoups 169% of the cost of the project.

Remodeling Your Home: The Top Ten Projects. This article provides nationwide averages of which projects provide the best return on an investment.

Tips For Hiring a Contractor. These tips provide information about contractor licenses, hiring guidelines, and reviewing contractor references.

Contractor Payment Tips. These tips detail rules for paying contractors.

How Should You Pay For Your Remodeling Project? This article lists different financing options for remodeling projects, along with tips on how to keep costs in line.

Bathroom Remodeling: A Good Clean Investment. This article describes the financial benefits to remodeling a bathroom, including how much you should spend, and what you can expect to recoup.

What is Feng Shui? This article provides an overview of a ancient Chinese style of architectural and interior design.