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Wednesday, January 10, 2001 Interest in remodeling never greater By John
Hayes, President
Did you know that the average home in the United States is 27 years old? According to "Remodeling Your Home: An Insider's Guide," published by Home Builder Press, nearly three previously owned homes change hands every year for each new home built. If you live in an older home or are considering buying one, remodeling can help you live in the home you've always wanted. The most common remodeling projects are: Kitchens, from countertop and cabinet replacements to new, efficient layouts; Bathrooms, where cramped, dark quarters can be updated with freestanding, open showers; Multiple vanities, wood-framed mirrors and updated lighting; Bedrooms, from master suites to nurseries that accommodate fireplaces, media equipment, adequate storage and the need for privacy; Recreation areas that today encompass music rooms, home theaters, exercise rooms and libraries instead of the finished basement of yore; Home offices that offer functional, efficient workspaces for homeowners who telecommute, are self-employed or use a personal computer to manage household expenses; Decorating with vision; and Closets and storage spaces customized to house hobby supplies, sporting goods, dry goods, electronic equipment, gardening equipment and more. If you're dreaming of a new space, home improvement magazines, television programs and Web sites are likely the first resources you will turn for ideas. Special interest media on gourmet cooking, entertaining and gardening may inspire home improvement ideas as well, and the home or real estate section of your local newspaper may offer examples and advice. Check at libraries and bookstores for interesting titles, visit your local home improvement store and take in a home show, too. Your friends, families and neighbors who have had work done on their homes recently may have insights, experience and references to share. If you're planning on professional assistance to get the job done, ask remodeling professionals or architects for access to their libraries of products ideas, designs and materials. You can also tap magazine buying guides and advertisements for inspiration. You'll get more than a new look from your remodeling project in all likelihood. Many home remodeling jobs also offer benefits in: energy efficiency, replacing single-glazed windows, drafty doors, inadequate heating systems, inefficient lighting and poor insulation; traffic flow and floorplan, breaking through the barriers created by the small, dark, separate compartments found in older homes; security, featuring systems that integrate motion-detector lights, landscaping, fencing, windows, doors, locks and alarms; safety, including hard-wired smoke, carbon monoxide and fire detectors; adaptations for the physically challenged, which can make room for an aging parent or family member with special needs; accommodating a growing or shrinking family; and specialized spaces for hobbies and activities like a workshop, darkroom or garage. As you begin the planning process, move from the general to the specific, keeping to the budget you've set for the project. Consider materials with an eye towards utility, matching the function and durability of a countertop or flooring surface to the level of use (or abuse!) you expect them to withstand. Allow time for orders to be delivered, permits to be secured, and the uncertainty of the weather. Homes built before 1978 often contain hazardous lead-based paint and asbestos-containing materials, and the sawing, sanding, drilling and grinding associated with remodeling can disturb harmful particles. Note any environmental or health issues that arise and hire an expert to remediate or dispose of radon, lead, asbestos and volatile organic compounds. Another threat may be posed by an old underground oil tank, which can leak and pollute groundwater, so consult your state department of environmental management about the proper method of removal. Underground electrical wires and gas lines can also present serious safety issues, so always call your local utility hotline before any digging begins. When you are ready to begin your remodeling work, be sure to take before and after pictures, if not for the feeling of satisfaction you'll have looking at what you've accomplished, then at least for your insurance files. And if you decide to enlist the help of a professional, select a remodeler the same way you select your project: with a thorough examination of your needs and an eye towards excellence. Call the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia for information on Remodeler's Council members in this area or visit remodel.com for a wealth of online resources. "Remodeling Your Home: An Insider's Guide" is available from BuilderBooks.com, the Web site of NAHB's publishing arm, Home Builder Press, or call 800/223-2665. (John Hayes, who is with Torrey Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 440 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether counties.)
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