ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - 02/09/2005 (Plain Text Version)

Don Novak CGR, CAPS, CKB, GMB
Remodelors^TM Council Chair
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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In this issue:
Don Novak to Lead Remodelors Council
Couldn't Make IBS? Here is What You Missed
RC News: RC Members Honored for Their Contributions to Council
RC Awards: February's Remodelor of the Month
Eye on the Industry: New Hampshire Legislators Try to Protect Consumer Rights
Business Building Tips: What Trends to Look Out for in 2005
Are You On Top of Your NAHB Member Benefits? See What's New
A Special Thank You to Our 2005 Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze Strategic Sponsors

Business Building Tips: What Trends to Look Out for in 2005

There is that saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” But in 2005, the saying should be, “Here is a new twist.”

What’s Cooking in the Kitchen
The kitchen is still the hot spot in remodeling. Today, many homeowners are not only opening up their space in the kitchen but opening up their minds to new ideas. According to industry professionals, homeowners have become more open to the use of new materials, color blends and no longer sweat the details of the cabinet construction and appliances.

Kitchen remodeling has grown so much in the past few years and has inevitably become more mass produced, that trends in kitchens today put more emphasis on originality by using creative materials. Some examples include unique faucet and fixture shapes, a concrete counter casted in the homeowner’s favorite color or pattern, glass tile and solid wood countertops are making a big comeback.

In the Northeast, remodelers have seen a blend of traditional materials used with urban accents to create an elegant modern feel. “For one project, we used painted white raised panel doors for kitchen cabinets and mahogany on the flooring as well as the casings for the windows and doors for an elegant look,” says Paul Sullivan, CGR, CAPS of the Sullivan Co., in Newton Heights, MA. “Also, adjacent to the kitchen, we installed mahogany wainscot paneling to encompass the perimeter of the dining room. We then used a random color pattern of glass tiles as the backsplash and accented the cabinet doors with custom hand blown glass hardware. This use of traditional style cabinetry and mahogany wood in conjunction with modern materials such as glass and stainless steel appliances gave this characteristically traditional kitchen an extraordinary modern feel.”

Homeowners are not just mixing woods and glass, but also using stone including limestone, slate and granite in their kitchens. And for those homeowners wanting a sleek look, stainless steel countertops with built in sinks and run off boards go well with their stainless steel appliances (if you are interested in the restaurant look).

The trend of bringing cabinets up to the ceiling has made a comeback. Doing this not only allows more space for the cabinets but also provides a cleaner, sleeker look in the kitchen, according to Michael Strong, CGR, CAPS of Brother Strong in Houston.

To top these cabinets, homeowners in the Northwest like mixing two and three colors in the kitchen, especially on lower and upper cabinets. “Many homeowners are going for the 'energized' look where they mix techno-bright and metallic colors with calming earthtones,” says Chuck Russell, CGR, CAPS of Westhill, Inc., in Woodinville, WA.

New Buzz Word: Hiving
Another big trend in remodeling brings comfort in today's busy world. The industry's new buzz word — hiving — has taken the place of cocooning, which began after Sept. 11 when people wanted to stay at home and spend their money creating a serene nest from the outside world.

While our lives will never be the same, people have gotten back into working, hanging out with friends, taking vacations, etc., and now want to create homes that match this more active, on-the-go lifestyle.

People now want rooms in their homes to have a purpose. They want to create spaces that are dedicated to more than one use. For example, they want a room where mom can do her crafting while dad watches television and the kids play on the computer. “While each family member wants to do their own thing, they still want to be in the same space,” says Russell.

Another way to help family members interconnect with each other but maintain privacy is through interior glass doors and walls. More and more people have added French doors with glass panes in the inside of the house to give the feel of being separated but still able to see each other. “This allows people to have private spaces but allows for natural light to flow in and people seeing one another,” says Russell.

Times are Changing
One of the most significant trends in the remodeling industry does not have anything to do with cabinet heights or trim or concrete vs. wood. It affects remodelers themselves — the availability of creative financing options to allow homeowners to finance large projects like a traditional new home construction loan.

This works by basing the appraisal on the future value of the improvements and dispersing the loan proceeds in draws during construction with the final roll-over to a permanent loan occurring after completion. This keeps payments lower during construction and allows for some flexibility for changes and extras after the project.

“The new financing options facilitate larger projects than ever before and, I believe, will have the most significant impact on the industry in the years ahead,” says Vince Butler, CGR, CAPS, GMB, of Butler Brothers Corp., in Clifton, Va. “It would be wise for all remodelers to look in to partnering with their local financial institutions to stay ahead of the competition.”

With these new financing options, more homeowners will want to utilize all options to create the home of their dreams whether that includes using bamboo on the flooring or carved stone in their bathrooms or concrete slabs in the kitchen.