Moving Up

Home Renovation Specialists Say a Popular Way to Gain More Space is "Go Up a Level"

By Jenn Diamond

Americans spent more than $230 billion on home improvement projects in 2003,
according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The
expenditures by homeowners and rental property owners accounted for 40 percent of
all residential construction and more than two percent of the nation’s economy.

The home improvement industry, which has undoubtedly been bolstered by a large number of aging baby boomers, hasn’t seen a downturn in more than a decade and shows no signs of letting up, according to the study.

Local remodeling specialist Gene Barnes of Gene Barnes Carpentry, LLC in Shrewsbury, NJ, says home remodeling is moving to a higher level — literally. While Barnes works on all manner of projects, he says the recent trend is to increase living space by adding an entire level to a home. When people need more space, they simply turn their ranch into a colonial. Often the renovations are so extensive that Barnes insists they move out during the majority of the construction.

In New Jersey, the aging stock of housing and a new crop of home buyers virtually guarantee a constant stream of home improvement projects for local contractors. Barnes said the boom in high-end renovations of homes can be attributed to low interest rates and scarcity of land for new construction. “It’s easier to get access to money for homes,” he says. What about new homes? Forget about it, he says, they’re too expensive for most.

If you’re contemplating a home remodeling job, hiring the right contractor can make or
break your project — and the bank. “Watch out for scams,” says Barnes. “Get references.” And, while past clients of any remodeling outfit can tell you a lot, it doesn’t hurt to visit the local lumberyards and talk to the people working there.

In addition, if a major renovation is required, it’s well worth the extra money to hire an architect. “That’s not the place to save money,” Barnes says.

Once you have your plans and the project goes out to bid, local contractors will be competing for your business. “Interview them,” says Barnes. “See their completed work, but make sure references accompany any photos they supply.” You’d be surprised how many contractors will photograph a job that’s not even theirs for their “gallery.” If the contractor won’t supply references, don’t trust him.

Finally, ensure you have a firm home improvement contract. “It’s state law,” Barnes
said. “Having a secure contract is a win-win situation for all parties involved.”

• All home improvement contracts will have:
• A start date
• A finish date
• Change order forms for any changes from the original plan — signed by both the contractor and the homeowner
• Total cost of all work to be completed

WHERE TO BEGIN
Kitchens and baths comprise two of the most popular home improvement projects among homeowners – and are two of the most complicated. With so many options available – countertop surfaces, fixtures, tiles, flooring, cabinets, appliances and lighting, not to mention colors and materials, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the possibilities. “It’s easy to overdo it,” says Barnes. “A good rule of thumb is to keep your
kitchen upgrade around 10 percent of the value of your home.” Bathrooms should be even less.

Updating and improving the interior of your home doesn’t have to be an all or nothing plan. You can start with a small project and then work your way up to a larger one.

The following interior how-to tips supplied by Lowes Home Improvement experts are just a few of the best home improvement projects for the average do-it-yourselfers to tackle. Before beginning any project, be sure to check with your town about current codes and regulations that may apply.

• Coordinate new bathroom fittings with your current fixtures and add vanity lighting to update your bath. The time and expense involved to update your bathroom fittings is minimal compared to the visual return you will receive.

• Paint a room for a fresh new look. A new coat of paint will make a world of difference in the look and feel of your home. By carefully preparing your room for painting, you will be able to achieve a professional-looking finish that will make you step back and say, “Wow!”

• Add a little bit extra to your walls with a faux finish.

• Ceiling fans are both functional and decorative. They are particularly useful in the
summer, since they effectively reduce energy usage while creating a cool breeze. They can also be used in the winter to gently pull heated air away from the ceiling where it tends to collect.

• Easily maintained, ceramic tile may be just the look you want for your bathroom, kitchen or foyer. Installation is not particularly difficult, but it does require preparation and some patience. With the different sizes and tile finishes available, the final look of a new tiled floor or wall will make a dramatic difference.

Install adjustable wire shelving in your garage, workshop or closet for increased space and tidiness. Once the adjustable wire shelving is installed, you can easily change the configuration in the future, if needed.

• Divide a large room, like a basement, with a non-load bearing wall. You’ll create two rooms that can be used for different functions.

• Install molding in your home to provide a regal touch. Moldings hide slight imperfections where corners meet, join materials of varying thickness and give a room a finished look. Moldings also help make a transition from different materials such as paint and wallpaper.

• There are simple and inexpensive steps that you can take to make your home more energy efficient. These solutions often bring big returns. From wrapping hot water pipes to replacing furnace filters, these suggestions will benefit the environment as well as the family piggy bank.

• If you’ve been thinking of updating your kitchen cabinets, it is easier (and less expensive) than you might think. With a little elbow grease and creativity, you can give your kitchen cabinets a face lift and create the effect of an entire remodel.

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