Sweat Equity - Season 7

Neal Perbix & Sarah Elhardt bought a house that needs fixed up both inside and out. They've addressed much of the interior space and now would like to add an open porch to the flat front of their home. They only have $10,000 for the addition, so they are hoping they can tackle much of the work on their own. Sweat Equity Boost: $15,000

Nick & Christine Thompson have a to-do list that includes a main floor bedroom, an upstairs knotty pine bonus room and an unfinished basement. With only $9,000 to spend they think that redoing the top floor bonus room will not only increase the value of their home but it will be a better fit for their lifestyle. This catch-all space from floor to ceiling is equipped with knotty pine paneling and brown linoleum tile to match. Nick and Christine are looking to modernize this room by removing the wood paneling, installing hardwood flooring and adding some built-in shelving & storage to transform this area into a space where they can watch TV, work on the computer, hang out, or where a guest can sleep. Giving this space an updated feel will definitely add equity to their home, but would they be wiser to complete all those unfinished projects on the lower levels first?

Rob & Noel Cesena got a steal on a former bed and breakfast that had extensive damage due to two years of abandonment. The plan is to turn it back into a single family home. They have a budget of $175,000 to make the 4,000 square foot 19th century home grand once again. Sweat Equity Boost: $350,000

His 1970 condo was built 10 years before he was born, but Jed Hirschfeld knew that the outdated space could easily be fixed with cosmetic updates, elbow grease and cash. As a full-time waiter in a high-end restaurant, Jed has been socking away money for two years so he can bring the place into the 21st century. He's thinking that $15,000 will be enough to tear out the weird half wall in the kitchen, upgrade the flooring throughout the kitchen, living, dining room and hall, add new cabinets for the kitchen and a built-in for the living room, plus countertops, a sink, appliances and a backsplash. Jed thinks he's handy enough for the project and he's banking on help from his roommate and go-getter mom to keep the budget on track.

When Josh and Jessica Lund bought their new home in the exurbs, they thought it seemed picture perfect. However, now that they've lived there a couple years they've discovered its one major flaw. The home features roomy and attractive living spaces, but the cramped laundry room and back entry closet don't offer the storage that most people would expect in a new home. They have a budget of $8,000 to create a large mudroom with cubbies, lockers, lots of counter space for the laundry area and even an apron front sink. Sweat Equity Boost: $20,000

When New Jersey residents Jonathan and Jordana Comito were transplanted to the Midwest they bought a two-story home in the suburbs. The house has nice updates, but the main problem areas are the front and back yards. The old landscape walls that are built out of railroad ties have seen better days, the driveway needs replacing and the backyard looks like an abandoned lot. They want to put their $15,000 budget into the front yard since everyone plays in the cul-de-sac and. The Comito's plan to create a user-friendly area by installing a paver patio complete with a sitting wall, adding a water feature and simplifying the landscaping. They think by doing the work themselves they can stretch their budget and are confident that they'll get quality results that will give them a big return. Sweat Equity Boost: $50,000

Steve & Amy Williams have a townhouse that looks like all the others in the neighborhood - bland. They'd like to upgrade some of the features and make their home stand out to buyers since they plan to move in the next year. With a budget of just $5,000, they'll have to do all the work themselves and try to figure out the best improvements to draw buyers' attention.

The only thing worse than having one outdated pink bathroom is having two outdated pink bathrooms. Bachelor Rob Rieckenberg has updated much of his 50's rambler but the maze of pink bathrooms is next on the hit list. Rob is handy, but with the average bathroom remodel running $16,000 and a budget of just $10,000 for two bathrooms, he's definitely got his work cut out for him.

Dan Spengler & Amy Fox have a modern home in an ideal location but their backyard is less than ideal. Their first joint home improvement project is to bring the backyard in line with the standards of perfection set on the inside. With just $14,000 to make it happen, can they keep their expensive tastes from ruining any chance to build equity?

Jack Sutton & Emily Burton have two big projects on their wish list - an updated lower level and a new garage. But the garage has to come first since they need to create more storage space for the stuff that's in the basement. Their current garage is in shambles so the whole thing is coming down and in its place will be a more spacious structure with a second story dedicated to storage.

When Heather Brown's parents decided to say good-bye to their hot tub, she and her husband Tim inherited it. However, that little windfall has snowballed into a backyard renovation that's bound to cost the Browns a whole lot of money. The plan includes a two-tier cedar deck built around the hot tub with an adjoining circular patio and firepit. Tim has experience deck building, which is another plus. However, designing around a hot tub could put a kink in the numbers and that could mean disaster for any equity building plans.

Amber Hoang and Bihn Tran were renting in the neighborhood when a 1980s two-story home caught their eye. The price finally dropped and they snapped it up. The house was unkempt and in need of some major care. They started outside by removing the dilapidated swimming pool and creating a beautiful landscape. Then, they moved into the lower level, refinishing it with a sleek contemporary style. Now, they're ready to do something to the kitchen. They've already bought new appliances and have a nice wood floor, but the 1980s style cabinets and traditional rail separating the eating area and family room have to go. They'll reconfigure the bad cabinet layout and bring in contemporary style.

When Christine Matthews bought her first house, she knew she'd be relying on her family for help. Since big sister Amy is a licensed contractor, dad is Mr. Home Improvement and mom is a master gardener, they can handle it all. Christine will need the help because the 1920s bungalow needs a new bathroom, a finished basement and a landscape makeover. Christine wants to start in the backyard that currently is nothing but overgrown grass and weeds. The yard slopes toward the garage and that needs addressing. Dozing and leveling the yard and adding drainage are essential. The key is keep the yard low maintenance because Christine is young, single and doesn't want to be tied to yard work, but still wants it to look great.