Demand for remodeling not limited to older homes

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Whether they want new fixtures, more space or added lighting, more homeowners are choosing to remodel their homes.|ret||ret||tab|

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Remodeling trends|ret||ret||tab|

Russell Caldwell, of Caldwell Construction Inc., said bathrooms and kitchens continue to top the list of remodeling projects. "In the bathrooms, they want more space, to get rid of the old fixtures, replace the old tile in the shower (and add) a whirlpool tub, a larger sink, fixtures that are easy to clean and a lot of light," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Mike Lawson, general manager of Metro Renovators, agreed that bathrooms are a hot item. "The majority of the room additions we do involve a master bath," he said. "It's been that way all along."|ret||ret||tab|

Erich Weber, owner of Renovation Professionals, said, "We're getting homes that are 20 and 30 years old that have to be updated. In kitchens, there'll be a trend and then that will change. The trend used to be that people wanted defined rooms. Now, they want all the rooms open so that it's like one big room."|ret||ret||tab|

As a result, a common remodel is to expand the formal living room in an older home into the kitchen and dining area, Caldwell said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Homes built 20 years ago have a formal living room that's, many times, rarely used," Caldwell said. "People are wanting this area to flow into the rooms that are being used a lot."|ret||ret||tab|

"The kitchen has become the focal point, the place where we gather," Caldwell said. "So people want them big, spacious and well-lit. One thing we do is to remove the soffit (which fills the space between the cabinet tops and the ceiling) and have an open area above the cabinet. Some want lighting installed where the soffit was, and some people want cabinets all the way to the ceiling to gain more cabinet space."|ret||ret||tab|

He added that other kitchen trends include solid-surface countertops in granite and tile, new colors in appliances, quieter, more efficient dishwashers and more spacious refrigerators. Also popular is the installation of skylights and adding an island with a second sink in the middle of the kitchen.|ret||ret||tab|

Lawson said that in the last five years he has seen another trend of people buying higher-end fixtures for their remodeling projects.|ret||ret||tab|

"You see them spending $1,000 on a faucet, not $100," Lawson said. "They see it, like it and want it in their home. But I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for.'"|ret||ret||tab|

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Homes of all ages|ret||ret||tab|

While many people are updating homes built decades ago, remodeling is not limited to older homes.|ret||ret||tab|

While most of the homes they work on are 20 years old or older, Caldwell's employees also work on homes that are only a year old. Often the owner wants minor changes such as adding a room or a deck, or getting the basement finished.|ret||ret||tab|

Lawson said he sees people buying homes of all ages to renovate, including new ones. "They're buying new homes and remodeling to fit their needs," he said|ret||ret||tab|

Home maintenance is a crucial issue in the remodeling picture, Weber said, because houses aren't built like they used to be. "Corners are being cut to save money," he said. "There's been a bigger demand for maintenance work on doors, windows and siding because people are buying cheaper products. When the price goes down, so does the quality."|ret||ret||tab|

Also, damage repair is a significant part of the remodeling pie. Ninety percent of the work Metro Renovators does is insurance-related fixing the damage done during floods and fires locally. Renovation Professionals also does a significant amount of insurance-related work.|ret||ret||tab|

Overall, remodelers are "just getting busier and busier, and I don't see that changing," Caldwell said. "When interest rates rise, people take a stronger look at remodeling as opposed to relocating."|ret||ret||tab|

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Weighing the costs|ret||ret||tab|

Caldwell said it's hard to determine what the average value of a remodel is because there are so many factors involved, including equity and market value.|ret||ret||tab|

"Nationally, you get the most from your return if you remodel a bathroom or kitchen," he said. "Nationally, you get up to 90 percent of your dollars spent from a bathroom remodel and as much as 85 percent from a kitchen remodel. But no one should remodel with the expectation of getting 100 percent back it just doesn't happen. The best reason to do a remodel is for your own personal needs and desires."|ret||ret||tab|

Lawson and Weber agreed that the average value of a remodel depends on the particular project.|ret||ret||tab|

"If it's a room or a bathroom, I would say about $20,000 to $30,000," Lawson said. "But with cosmetic remodeling, it's harder to say. It could be something as minor as painting, so it's a very broad scope."|ret||ret||tab|

Weber said he places the average bathroom remodel value at $5,000 to $10,000. "There are so many variables like fixtures and cabinets," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

"It depends on the person and their budget. There are expensive bathroom fixtures out there you can spend your money on. But some want to spend their money on tiling," Weber added.|ret||ret||tab|

Choosing a remodeler|ret||ret||tab|

Caldwell said most homeowners don't spend enough time searching for a remodeler who's service-oriented, can communicate with them and deliver a great product. |ret||ret||tab|

"As consumers, we're attracted to low price, which can be deadly," he said. "Taking the lowest bid almost always results in dissatisfaction. The homeowner should check a company's references and call the Better Business Bureau. A lot of people have a remodeling disaster story, and it shouldn't be that way. It should be exciting and gratifying in the end." |ret||ret||tab|

Weber said it's tough to find a remodeling company that does good work and stands behind it.|ret||ret||tab|

"I've seen companies that are good at construction but not at running a business," he said. "But it's like that in every profession. They have a skill they're good at, but don't know how to run a business."|ret||ret||tab|

Referrals are a major source of business for all three companies. |ret||ret||tab|

"People know they want us to do the work because they've seen the quality of the work we've done," Lawson said.|ret||ret||tab|

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