Adding or remodeling a bathroom is one of the best ways you can increase the value of your home. Remove outdated fixtures and tilework; if necessary, replace the substrate with new waterproof materials, and install new tile. If you're adding on a bathroom, you can make room for features like a double sink or whirlpool tub. Extra bathrooms always make a house more marketable.

Bob talks with Nick Beasley, owner of a home in Melrose, Massachusetts. Beasley reviews how he and his family bought a two-family home in Melrose. The house was originally built as a single-family home but was later converted. Beasley and his wife are expecting a baby in six weeks. Maggie Beasley shows Bob the basic layout of the house and the improvements they have made. Maggie Beasley reviews the colors of the living room, dining room, and kitchen that were selected with the help of a colorist. She shows Bob the kitchen and expresses the hope that they will be able to upgrade their kitchen safety in advance of the baby's arrival. On the third floor, there is a nursery, two bedrooms, and a small room the Beasleys will convert to a bathroom. A larger master bath will be created during this project, with the smaller bath moving to the hall. Nick Beasley reviews the demolition of the existing small bath and the new partition wall that has been built to frame out the new space.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. It s important to make your home energy-efficient by sealing all gaps and insulating thoroughly. But don t overlook ventilation. Vent fans in the kitchen and bathrooms are required by code in most states, and they re a good idea everywhere. They help protect indoor air quality and get rid of excess moisture from cooking and bathing that can lead to mold problems and structural damage. In the kitchen, range hoods now come in all shapes and sizes to go with your cooking surface and d cor. They can be ducted through a ceiling or exterior wall. This often requires tearing out plaster or drywall and it s best done during a remodel. If you don t want a large hood, consider a cooktop with a downdraft vent ducted through the floor. Either way, ventilation fans should always be ducted to the outside, never into an attic or crawlspace. Bathroom ventilation fans have come a long way, too. Energy Star-certified models with built-in ceiling lights can do double-duty and save you money, especially since these are so often accidentally left on. And they re much quieter, too. Some installers recommend the roof-mount type of fan. The fan and motor are installed on the roof and ducted to the interior space. In some homes, this can make installation and service easier since the unit s out in the open instead of built into the ceiling. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob meets with the plumber to look at the air handler and then goes upstairs to check out a bathroom floor heated with radiant heat.