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GETTING A Jump START ON
Spring Remodeling
Remodeling Group Offers Tips
to Get Started and How to Stretch a Budget
DES PLAINES, Illinois, March 6, 2007 /National Association of
the Remodeling Industry/ -- It’s that time of year again.
Spring is in the air, and that means fresh thoughts, new
beginnings, and ideas for home renovation beginning to take
shape. Thus, it marks the time when homeowners across the
country seek out contractors who can turn their dream homes
into reality through the process of remodeling.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
reminds homeowners that May is National Home Improvement
Month, so the perfect time of year to begin thinking about
home improvement projects is right now. As the weather begins
to get warmer, there is more demand for remodeling
contractors, so homeowners are advised not to wait until
summertime to start thinking about making changes to their
homes. “Finding the right design, choosing a professional
contractor, and securing the necessary financing for a home
improvement project can sometimes take months,” says NARI
President Everett Collier, CR. NARI suggests that homeowners
who want to start a project by the summer start planning now.
General demand for home improvements and repairs continues on
an upward trend, leaving quality contractors booked six to
nine months in advance. NARI recommends the following steps to
help kick-start the process:
· Think your project through from start to finish. Careful
planning of your home improvement projects will enable you to
update your home, increase the value of your investment and
customize your living space -- all for a lot less than the
cost of a new home.
· Look over your property carefully. What repairs are needed?
What improvements would you like to make? Think ahead and
determine your future needs. Professional remodeling
contractors can help you in your planning by outlining options
and discussing the improvements you can make within your
budget.
· Review your homeowner's insurance policy. What adjustments
need to be made for the added value of the work being done?
General Remodeling Tips
No one likes to cut a budget, especially when it's their own.
But when it comes to planning a remodeling project, homeowners
must establish a realistic budget . . . and manage it.
Preparing for a remodeling project is a lot like preparing to
buy a car. You may know the room and style you want, but the
options you choose may drive the price higher than you can
reasonably afford. There are ways to stretch the remodeling
budget, though, and end up with a stylish room within budget.
Below are NARI members' top ways to stretch a budget:
Getting Started
· The most important step is finding a professional remodeling
contractor for your job.
· Hire a professional contractor who is familiar with the
building codes in your area. Replacing work that does not meet
code can be extremely expensive.
· A well-written contract can prevent costly mistakes or
additions to the scope of your project. It is a critical step
in maintaining your budget.
· Save money by planning ahead. Go through the design process
first and choose everything you want to include in the new
room(s), from appliances to light fixtures. This will define
your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in
the project. Be sure to include all your product and material
selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary
change orders. Include the model, size, color, and other
specifications. It is also wise to save 10-20 percent of your
budget to allow for items added to the scope of work.
· Product choice is the number one way to decrease the cost of
your remodeling project. In addition, pay attention to how
labor intensive some design features may be, for example
laying ceramic tile on kitchen countertops and the backsplash.
· Compare products and their prices carefully before you make
final decisions. And keep an open mind when you discuss
product and design ideas with your contractor.
· Make decisions based on value and quality, not just price.
· Think about staging the work being done to minimize the
initial financial impact. It is often easier to create a more
manageable budget by starting small and adding to the project
at a later date. This will break the work into several jobs
instead of one large project. The down side of staging a
remodel is that you may end up paying more in the long run.
Whether homeowners want to expand their kitchen, add a second
bath, build a family room, or install a deck, they can contact
NARI to find a professional remodeling contractor in their
area. "While most homeowners can handle routine maintenance
projects and cosmetic touchups, they need to consult with
qualified professionals for larger remodeling jobs and major
changes to the home’s structure," says Collier.
NARI members represent a select group from the approximately
800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying
themselves as professional remodelers.
The remodeling market, projected to be a $291.5 billion
industry in the U.S. in 2006, is expected to continue to
experience significant growth. It is estimated that more than
a million homes per year undergo major renovation or
remodeling.
NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily
subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to
search
www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified professional who
is a member of NARI.
Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at
800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How
to Select a Remodeling Professional,” or visit
www.RemodelToday.com
and click on the homeowner’s guide for more information.
About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling
Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely
to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,400 member
companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines,
Illinois — is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”TM
For membership information,
or to locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling
professional, visit NARI’s website at
www.RemodelToday.com,
or contact the national headquarters office at 800-611-NARI.
Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry
CONTACT: Stephanie Manola,
Marketing & Communications Assistant
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
780 Lee Street, Suite 200
Des Plaines, IL 60016
T: 800-611-6274
F: 847-298-9225
E: smanola@nari.org
Website:
www.nari.org
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