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Home Owners Remodel to Increase Living Space

Prime candidates for remodeling are home owners between the ages of 34 and 54. Some of them are sending children off to college; some are preparing for children; and some finally have the time and money to put into their home — to create an exercise room, enlarge the kitchen, turn an extra bedroom into a hobby room. But all of them want their house to support and grow with their changing lifestyles and needs, according the Remodelors™ Council’s 2003 fourth quarter Remodeling Market Index (RMI).

“We are returning to a time where the home is once again the family focal point,” said 2004 Remodelors™ Council Chairman Doug Sutton, Sr., of Sutton Siding & Remodeling in Springfield, IL. “The empty nesters are entertaining more now that their children are out of the house, so they need a different kind of space than before; the baby boomers finally can afford to have the home they always wanted, which includes top appliances and media and game rooms; and Generation X’ers want separate play areas for themselves and their children .”

The leading reason why home owners remodel is to gain more space, according to the most recent RMI survey.

The most popular room addition is the master bedroom suite, which can include amenities such as mini-bars and kitchens, reading areas, his and her bathrooms/vanities and walk-in closets. Other popular major additions include great rooms (some with home theatres), sunrooms off the kitchen and home offices complete with teleconferencing capabilities.

The second most important reason people remodel is so that they can stay in their current residence. Most people like their current home and will spend time and money on remodeling rather than deal with stresses of moving.

The most common remodeling jobs people undertake to improve their surroundings are kitchen and bathroom projects.

Sixty-six percent of consumers say they remodel to increase the amenities in their homes. The top amenities consumers ask for include: granite countertops, multiple shower heads/steam showers, soaking/spa bathtubs, commercial grade appliances and his and hers separate baths/vanities.

"Builders Guide to Room Additions," available through BuilderBooks.com, shows you how to tackle items that are unique to room additions. Man-hour charts, based on actual jobs the author has encountered in his long career, are provided for each part of the addition or conversion, to improve the accuracy of your cost estimates, so you're sure you'll make a good profit, even on work you've never tackled before. There’s a chapter on making a business plan, with advice on marketing, financing, hiring and record-keeping. To view or order this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order.

BuilderBooks.com Offers Publications for Remodelers

BuilderBooks.com offers a variety of publications about remodeling. To view or puchase these publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order by phone.

University of Housing Offers Courses and Designation Programs

The NAHB University of Housing offers a variety of business management courses and professional designation programs that set builders and remodelers apart from the competition. For a complete list of current offerings, click here.

Make your connection to the latest housing industry news and information with www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB.

Log in today to register for educational seminars, meetings and networking events; find important economic and housing data; and learn the latest developments in NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. It’s all available to you 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Member Log In" button to get started.

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