Lawn & Garden

(NAPS)-The home improvement industry is booming throughout the nation, as today's homeowner is choosing to remodel instead of buying new. In fact, by the year 1999, consumer remodeling will skyrocket to $112.3 billion annually, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute.

If you're planning on giving your home a "face lift" this year, consider the following tips, brought to you by the "outdoor building experts" who produce Kodiak® preserved wood, an innovative new outdoor building product:

· Determine how long you plan on living in your home. Unless you plan on staying there for years, try to make improvements that not only add comfort and convenience for you now, but also increase your home's future resale value. For instance, a deck typically recoups 71 percent of its original construction cost.

· Consider how the addition will hold up over the long term. Choose quality building products that will look good years from now. This is especially important when choosing outdoor building products. Some products, such as Kodiak lumber, even come with a lifetime limited warranty to ensure they will hold up against the elements.

· Study your local real estate market to be sure you're making improvements that homebuyers want and will pay for. In a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 83 percent of potential new home buyers surveyed said they would like their new home to have a deck off the back of the house, including 29 percent who said a deck was "essential." Other renovations rated high for their return on investment include bathroom and kitchen renovations, as well as interior remodeling.

· Understand that while you may think certain additions are an asset to your home, others may not. Examples include swimming pools, hot tubs and sliding glass doors. Potential buyers may not see past the maintenance work required with pools and spas; and sliding glass doors may be perceived as a risk where security is a concern.

· Be informed and know what you want before getting started. Talk with friends who have recently completed similar projects, or consult remodeling publications. Create a photograph file of styles of kitchens, decks and bathrooms that you like.

· Manage your money and develop a working budget. During a remodeling project, most homeowners will add items as the project develops. A reserve equal to 10 to 20 percent of what you expect to spend should cover these changes.

Back to the Top of the PageBack to the Lawn & Garden Home Page