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BCA of Southwestern Idaho
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Whether you've lived there for 2 years or 15 years, it's not uncommon to find that you are delighted with your home with one or two nagging exceptions. You'd really like to remodel, but the project gets pushed to the end of the "To Do" list, because it's either too expensive or too big to tackle yourself. Still, lets face it, your tired of those high utility bills that just keep getting higher, or that tiny kitchen, or sharing your bathroom with the kids because the only other bathroom in the house is occupied. In many cases, the reason your home may feel inadequate is that the average American house was built in the 1960’s and is now pushing forty or fifty. With the exception of a few coats of paint and some new carpeting, it hasn’t changed much. But you have. Your family has. Your lifestyle has.
As I noted in my previous blog, although few of us purchase our home strictly for its investment value, in practical terms it represents an asset that can pay high returns when it comes time to refinance or sell. And a home that is well-maintained and offers up-to-date systems and amenities will have a higher value than a comparable home that is poorly maintained or lacking the conveniences and extra living space that today’s buyers want. Remodeling, then, becomes the key to protecting and enhancing the investment value of your home, not to mention the other benefits like how much you will enjoy that new kitchen or master suite or family room, the savings in your utility bills, your increased comfort and the safety and health benefits, or the reduced maintenance. These benefits will carry more weight and contribute to your overall return on investment. With interest rates at historic lows, no better time to take advantage of home equity financing to fund your project.
Your first steps are to determine how much money you can spend and to define your vision of the completed project. Working with a professional who specializes in the types of projects your envisioning will help ensure your vision comes to life and to define your goals. Do you simply want to increase the energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality of your home? Do you want to remodel your kitchen or master bath? Or do you want to add living space?
If you’re having trouble getting started, there’s help. “Remodeling Your Home” offers valuable hints on how to set priorities, remodel within a budget, and understand a contract. Author Carol Davitt suggests hiring a design-build firm in order to “avoid sticker shock.” Using a professional design-build remodeler will also help you cut down on costs. The professional remodeler will be familiar with both old and new products and materials and will guide you through the design of your project and the selection of materials, fixtures, and equipment – recommending the most cost-effective choices. Using a professional design-build remodeler will also assure you that the trade contractors and suppliers working on you remodeling project are reputable. Many companies will even rebate a portion of the design fee, if you end up signing a construction contract with them.
Remodeling is a dirty business, and you may find yourself without the comforts you take for granted, such as hot water or a flushable toilet. When signing a contract to improve any room of your home, be sure it includes a schedule. Discuss with the remodeler the capacity for creating temporary makeshift spaces. You may find the disruption easier to handle if you can carve out room for a small refrigerator and coffee pot, while your kitchen is out of commission. If not, you may want to consider a temporary move to save both time and money. Moving out entirely also will speed up the remodeling process by allowing workers to forgo the meticulous nightly clean up.
Whether your remodeling project is large or small, it’s important to carefully think through your options and interview several remodelers before you get started. “Remodeling Your Home” provides homeowners new to the process with helpful hints ranging from choosing a remodeler who is a member of NAHB Remodelers to writing a proper change order—and everything in between.
“Remodeling Your Home” is available fromBuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Visit www.BuilderBooks.com to order. Visit www.NAHB.org/remodel to learn more about remodeling and find an NAHB Remodeler near you.
Chuck Miller GMB CGB MIRM CMP MCSP CSP
President / Builder – Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
(208) 229-2553
www.chuckmillerconstruction.com
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