New App May Help in Home Design and Renovation

Home renovation is undoubtedly a big deal and can be just as expensive as buying a new home altogether. As such, even the idea of remodeling can be intimidating to a lot of people. Like many Americans, you may be thinking of remodeling or renovating your home. Well, now there’s an app for that, too.

Renters and homeowners looking to renovate their spaces can now turn to cutting-edge apps that help to not only inspire, but expedite the renovation process — getting the job done faster, more efficiently, and for less money. Last year alone, Americans spent a whopping $130 billion on home renovation and remodeling projects, the highest amount since the financial crisis of 2007, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

As spending on home remodeling increases, apps are continually being created to meet the growing demand for a fresh, designer-inspired look, easing both the pain and expense associated with home renovation projects and finding a reputable contractor. A free app called Sweeten links renters and homeowners to local architects, designers, and contractors, to help breathe new life into their living spaces.

After Sweeten users post the project through the app, the program finds experts specifically for that project, ranging from ceramic tile installation to remodeling an entire housing development. Finding a contractor can be more difficult than finding your next date. Though many people search online, or look for recommendations from family members and friends, it can be difficult to find a contractor who is best suited for the vision a renter or homeowner has in mind.

To aid in this process, Sweeten carefully monitors the projects as they progress and the contractors involved, receiving feedback to ensure a high level of quality work. Sweeten is available in New York City, with plans on expanding throughout the United States in the near future.

“Do your research; make sure that whatever contractor you are interested in hiring has been in business for awhile and they have a good reputation,” says Branham Jarrell, Owner of Georgia Tub and Tile.

Similarly, another app, LikeThatDécor, aims to take the guess work out of finding just the right accent pieces, furniture, and decorations for a cohesive look. Users simply have to point their smartphones at a piece of furniture, or even a particular pattern that catches their eye, in order to find similar items that might complete the look they’re going for.

This goes to shows that there truly seems to be an app for just about everything.