Camille Dunn DuBois, an experienced realtor with SKBK-Sotheby’s Birmingham, MI office, says it’s a great time to invest in your home.  “In the current market, I encourage all home homeowners to keep improving their home.  The market is in a state of change right now, and even if you plan to stay in your home, an opportunity could present itself that you would not want to refuse.  Sellers are prepared when they have taken  pride in their home  and continued with renovations and updates. Working with buyers daily, I hear what they are  looking for and they want quality.  Quality home improvements definitely win out over simply updating.  High quality remodels and attention to details do not go unnoticed,” says DuBois.

Even if you plan to stay in your home, making a smart renovation investment is a good idea.  So, what aspects are buyers seeking when searching for a new home?  Ms. DuBois says “The master suite with a master bath continues to be a highly sought after appointment in a house.  The second on the list in my opinion is a remodeled kitchen that opens up to a family room.  Once again, the buyers focus on quality construction, especially when the renovation is done on an older home. These highly sought after older homes have character that buyers yearn for, and the amenities that the modern day buyers need.”

Another point of consideration is the enjoyment experienced while living in your updated home. Perhaps you are happy with your current neighborhood and schools, but long for additional living space, a more functional kitchen or better curb appeal.   Instead of moving to another house, many people are choosing to enlarge and update their current homes.   “Most of our clients have a significant emotional investment in their home and surrounding neighborhood,” says Christine Ramaekers, Vice President and Certified Kitchen Designer at MainStreet Design Build.  She continues, “Our goal is to help our clients realize their dream of staying in  their current home, by creating the space they need for a growing family and integrating the updated amenities they desire”.

It’s clear that although the real estate market place will have ups and downs, quality construction and remodeling are always a good choice.  Whether you plan to stay in your home or are thinking of selling in the future, a quality  investment will offer you enjoyment now and flexibility down the road.

NKBA Certification

The premiere hallmark for kitchen and bath professionals, NKBA Certification is based on proctored examinations and extensive industry experience. NKBA Certified Designers must also meet annual continuing education requirements annually.

The NKBA certifies kitchen and bath design professionals in various stages of expertise:

AKBD® Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer

• Minimum 2 years industry experience
• 30 NKBA Education hours
• 2 affidavits

CKD® or CBD® Certified Kitchen Designer or Certified Bath Designer

• 7 years industry experience
• 60 NKBA Education hours
• 2 affidavits, 2 client references

CMKBD® Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer

• 10 years industry experience*
• 100 NKBA Education hours
• 3 examples of 3rd party endorsements
• * after attaining initial certification

Selecting a Designer

Choosing a design professional can be a difficult decision. By selecting an NKBA Certified Designer, you will be working with a professional who:

• Has demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in kitchen and bath design, as well as construction, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems
• Adheres to a strict Code of Professional Conduct
•   Is an expert in the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines & Access Standards, which recognize the importance of consumer health, safety and welfare in kitchen and bath design
•   Is a member of the NKBA, a professional organization that provides them with the training and tools needed to succeed
• Is skilled at assessing consumers’ individual needs and wants and creating designs that meet and exceed these requirements
• Remains current on local building codes, safety and environmental regulations and the wealth of new products and equipment on the market

The Design Process

When selecting a design professional:

• Ask for references and visit their showroom or store, if possible.
•   Involve the entire family in the process and discuss any special needs.
• Pick the designer that satisfies your taste and style most. You should not be persuaded to do anything you don’t
  like or that doesn’t fit your budget.
• Trust an NKBA Certified Designer to help make your dream kitchen or bath a reality.t

Source:  National Kitchen and Bath Association

Design Build companies offer several advantages over the multiple-company model:

One Resource for All of Your Needs

1. Working with one company from start to finish means that the responsibility and accountability lies with one firm for all of your design and construction work
2. One point of contact for all questions and communications as the project moves forward
3. Less chance of confusion between the person that designed the space and the contractors that will construct the space.  No finger pointing between multiple parties if something goes wrong or doesn’t
   make sense.
4. Redesign work tends to be minimal as much of the work is done up front.  Any project refinements during the construction phase can be quickly discussed and appropriately addressed or implemented.

More Experience with Both Phases

1. Design Build firms know the cost of materials and labor.  They take these costs into consideration as they develop a design that works within your budget range. Surprises and budget overruns are less likely
   due to detailed planning.
2. They are accustomed to being “in” the space, not just creating blueprints.  A construction background gives the designer a better perspective on the use of the space.  They are experienced in creating “the
   final result” of their designs.
3. Design Build firms understand project timing and scheduling.  They are familiar with permits, lead times and how long each task should take to complete.  These firms also have relationships with suppliers and tradesmen they can refer to during the design process.  All of this adds up to better timing for the completion of your project.

MainStreet Design Build is a full service design build firm.  We’re with you every step of the way.  From project concept to completion, you deal with just one company, committed to quality and excellence in your project.

Cost vs. Value Report 2006

Source: Remodeling Online/Hanley-Wood. Data represents national averages.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), home remodeling may be preferable to moving. Remodeling can be less expensive — the process of selling a home and moving can cost up to 10 percent of the value of your current home. Remodeling also enables your family to stay in a familiar neighborhood and school district. And though it can be stressful, remodeling is much easier than
moving a household.

In addition, remodeling allows you to customize improvements based on your individual needs and lifestyle. There are many reasons people choose to remodel. You may wish to add more space, upgrade cabinets and countertops, or improve energy efficiency with new windows, doors and climate control systems.

Remodeling and increased home values

The Remodelers` Council, a part of the National Home Builders` Association, suggests remodeling projects that bring the value of your home up to the value of your neighbors` homes. A good rule of thumb is to keep the total of the value of your home before remodeling and the value of the remodeling projects to within 10 percent to 15 percent above median sales prices for a home in your neighborhood. Avoid projects
that make your home the most expensive in your neighborhood or different from the other homes, such as a large outdoor swimming pool.

Experts agree that kitchen and bath remodeling projects are the most likely to allow you to recoup their investments, possibly because homebuyers expect to spend a great deal of time in these areas of the house.

If increasing your home’s value is a key priority, keep in mind that your keenest competition at resale will be new homes. So get a sense of what these buyers want by looking at the features and amenities found in new homes, such as great rooms and high ceilings.

Source:  ARA Content

Of course you believe you’re a reasonable, understanding person with whom anyone would be happy to work. However, if you’ve never been involved with remodeling your home, you’d be surprised at what might happen!

Realistic Expectations

Everyone who begins the remodeling process has visions of the “dream” home they’ll have when it’s completed. Few, however, give much thought to the dust and dirt, noise, inconveniences, scheduling delays, and slight problems that must be dealt with along the way. These elements are part and parcel of any remodeling job, and every client must be realistic and accept the fact that there will be some inconveniences.

How inconvenient and unpleasant the process is depends a lot on the working relationship we create right from the beginning. A good client-contractor relationship depends on several things:

1. Be honest with us from the beginning about your expectations. Clear communication is the foundation of a successful project.
2. Be realistic about what you are looking for in the remodel and what you are willing to budget for the project. Many homeowners enter a remodeling project with grandiose plans that need to be scaled down to meet their budget. We’ll work with you to provide you with the best your money can afford. But remember, this is our livelihood. As with any profession, some profit margin must be factored in to the price.
3. Let’s discuss our work schedule. If the schedule falls behind, feel free to ask why.
4. Realize that certain stages of remodeling may seem to go more quickly than others. For example, during stages that involve more tangible work (for example, when walls are being torn down or replaced, framing constructed, or appliances installed), you’ll have a true sense of rapid progress. During other stages, however, that involve work of a more “hidden” nature like the installation of electrical lines or plumbing, it may seem that the work is going nowhere. Don’t worry. Just because you can’t see it easily doesn’t mean that nothing’s happening. Trust us–it is.
5. Recognize your role in the remodeling process and allow us to perform our work. Your input regarding design, expected craftsmanship, etc. will be incorporated into the job scope before the contract is signed. Once work is underway, give us the freedom to execute the job effectively. This is not to say that if you see something going wrong you shouldn’t speak up. However don’t try to take on our role in the process.
6. If possible, avoid making changes to the job scope. They tend to upset the schedule, which ultimately upsets you. If you do decide some changes are necessary settle the cost difference up front with the lead carpenter or salesperson so there is no misunderstanding.

By Michael Giusti, Bankrate.com as seen on msn.com

It happens suddenly, over a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper, or perhaps as you make your way across the obstacle course of clutter that was once your living room. Your house doesn’t fit your needs, and you can’t deny it anymore.

It’s time to make a hard decision, one potentially worth thousands of dollars. Should you move, or should you remodel? Dan Fritschen, the author of “Remodel or Move,” says the typical family faces this decision several times in life. The first milestone tends to be when children arrive. “The standard American lifestyle is to buy a starter house, but when kids come along that starter house may not be big enough anymore,” Fritschen says.

Children become teens, and shared accommodations soon feel more like an invasion of privacy than a slumber party. Within a few years a third challenge hits: college. As children move away for school or into their own apartments, the large, teenager-friendly house suddenly feels too big. It may be time to downsize or perhaps convert Junior’s bedroom into that hobby utopia you’d always dreamed about.

Finally, families often face the prospect of becoming caretakers for an aging relative, or perhaps a spouse falls ill and the home needs to become more accessible. Time for yet another change.

Should I stay or go?

The problem is that there is no single motive for each choice and precious little reliable professional help in making that decision. “Contractors won’t give you an unbiased opinion because they want the work,” Fritschen says. “Real estate agents have a financial stake in you moving. They aren’t paid to help you make decisions.”

Housing economist Robert Sheehan, the president of Regis J. Sheehan and Associates in Woodbridge, Va., says the best place for a family to start its evaluation is with the physical layout of its existing property. Many communities put limits on how big a house can be in relation to its plot of land.

“A number of homes are already being built to the dimensions of what can be done,” Sheehan says. If your house is as large as it can be, planning an addition would be out of the question — you will need to work within your existing footprint or move. On the other hand, just because you are able to expand your home doesn’t mean it’s a good financial move.

First, get a cost estimate. Then figure how much that work would add to your home’s value. Finally, compare your new value with comparable home prices in your neighborhood. “In some neighborhoods, you just won’t get your investment back,” Sheehan says.

Home values are falling across the country now, too. Homeowners should tread with extreme caution if they own one of the most expensive houses on the block. “You don’t want to create a white elephant,” says Ilyce Glink, a syndicated financial columnist. “White elephants are worthless. You have to look out and say ‘I don’t want to put $300,000 into a house if in five years the house won’t be worth $250,000.’ ”

Fritschen agrees. “Almost without exception, if you have a viable neighborhood and if you are bringing your home up to or slightly above neighborhood standards, from the financial side, you almost can’t go wrong byrenovating,” he says. “On the other hand, if you already have the biggest, nicest house in the neighborhood, then to go in and change that house has some drawbacks. You won’t get it back on resale.”

That’s because neighborhoods support only so much expense for a particular house. If homebuyers want to spend $500,000 on a house, they will spend it in a neighborhood filled with other $500,000 or even $1 million homes, rather than $250,000 homes, Fritschen says.

The worst-case scenario would be doing a renovation and ending up with a home worth less than you put in plus an outstanding mortgage balance, and then being forced to move because of a job change or other life event. “It really depends on where your market is. You might not get your investment back,” Sheehan says.

When to remodel

Expensive as it is to remodel, it is tempting to think moving is the safest bet. But that can be far from true. “In moving, there is no payback. It is a pure expense,” Fritschen says. “You end up writing an average of
$40,000 in checks, and no matter where you move that money is gone. It doesn’t increase your net worth — it is just gone.”

People often underestimate the true costs of buying a new home. Real estate commissions, financing charges, moving costs, utility deposits and other unexpected bills pile up. Then there’s the tax shock: “A lot of places don’t necessarily reset your property tax every year for every homeowner,” Fritschen says. “When you move, it may go up dramatically. That may still be a consideration when you remodel, but generally not as much.”

Comparatively, a remodeled home could appreciate by $100,000 or even $150,000, depending on what changes the owner makes, offsetting the expense of sprucing things up. The remodel could end up being financially neutral even after borrowing a huge sum to pay for renovations. Even if renovating makes sense, ask if you are financially ready to lay out the amount of cash required to do the work. A $100,000 addition might increase the value of your home dollar for dollar, but if you can’t afford that cash upfront, you will never get the job off the ground.

One way to ensure you keep your remodeling job in touch with reality is to consult the annual list published by Remodeling magazine and the National Association of Realtors. The list evaluates how much return you can expect from a given home improvement. Some jobs, such as regular maintenance, better siding and minor bathroom renovations, for instance, return more than 80 cents in value for every dollar spent. Others, such as adding a sunroom or a pool, return less than 60 cents on the dollar, or worse. “Anything beyond what you will get back through appreciation is a true expense,” Fritschen says.

The difference is a question of land value versus structure value. “Land appreciates the most, the house not as much,” Fritschen says. So staying on your existing property and improving the home itself could mean a substantial tax savings compared with moving to a new home where the taxable value could increase.

A decision to remodel or move comes down partly to emotions and partly to finances. “One of the first things you should ask yourself is if you really like the location your house is in right now,” Fritschen says. Consider your neighborhood, the schools and whether your home is average or below cost for neighborhood.

“If you like all of those aspects, then it is likely you can remodel and keep the things you like and improve on the things you might not like so much, size, amenities, things like that,” Fritschen says.

But even if you are in love with an area and you would certainly get your money back, columnist Glink says, it might not make sense for some people to commit to a potentially life-changing remodel. “You really need to be honest with yourself,” she says. “Do you want to go through the mess and headache of a remodel? You have to realize, things will go wrong. It will cost more than you thought. It will be a nightmare. And then when it is done, it will be beautiful.”

When to move

Even with the increase in home value that a renovation can deliver, there are some things you just can’t renovate away. “Look at land size, location, schools, neighborhoods filled with ugly houses and no trees, those are things you can’t change readily,” Fritschen says. If those are the issues you want remedied, then a move might make the most sense. “If you’ve always dreamed about living at the top of a hill, there is nothing you can do to change your flat street,” Fritschen says.

Hating your neighborhood might not be the only reason you would want to go house hunting. “Say your house was built in the 1950s and they used lead paint. Does your state law require you to strip the paint? Do you have to move out while the work is ongoing? What if you have asbestos insulation? These are things you might not want to touch,” Glink says.

Moving isn’t all that much easier than remodeling, but it is quicker. “Remember, you have to pack up. You have to unpack,” Fritschen says. “Selling a home is also invasive. But we have all moved before, so we are more comfortable with that transaction. You just need to weigh what you would hate less.”

Sheehan conducted a study in 1998 commissioned by The Wall Street Journal that showed that maintaining a typical home more than 30 years often costs more than four times the original purchase price. A daunting figure, but Sheehan warns that maintenance alone is no reason to move. “The repair costs may be deferred in a new home, but you have to remember that a bigger house takes more upkeep, and you may not be getting the benefit you think you are by moving,” Sheehan says.

If you are moving to an existing home, rather than new construction, not only will it be bigger, it will also likely have the same maintenance issues your old house did but on a larger scale. “It may even cost you even more,” Sheehan says.

The emotional bottom line

With some financial decisions it makes sense to remove yourself emotionally and just do a cost analysis. Yet financial planner Ray Ferrara, the president and CEO of ProVise Management Group in Clearwater, Fla., says that a house is a different matter.

“A home, while an investment, is really about lifestyle first and an investment second,” he says. “The decision of moving versus remodeling is: Does your current home, if remodeled, make you happy? If your home, even if remodeled, doesn’t meet your needs, and if you can afford something else, then move.”

Ferrara says many of his middle-age clients decide that moving makes more sense, even at a cost, because they are now in a position in their lives to pay a premium for happiness. “In your 20s or 30s you can’t buy the home you want and are forced to buy something that might be smaller and less glamorous than you would like,” he says. “But most of us come home seven days a week. And if you come in and say, ‘I love this place,’ then there is a lot you can overlook. But if you walk in and say ‘I hate this place,’ then move.”

The best thing to do often is to take a close look at what is getting under your skin, and if you can get a few more years out of the home with a remodel, that could be your best bet, Fritschen says. “I encourage people to step back and see the big picture rather than looking at any one thing,” he says. “Don’t say, ‘Oh, my kitchen needs to be updated, I want to move.’ “

Victorian – Characterized by steeply pitched roofs, pointed arch windows, elaborate trim along roof edges, high dormers, lancet windows, and other Gothic details. Light fixtures range from chandeliers and kerosene and electric lamps to astrals and sconces. Cabinets are usually weathered looking and made of heavy, real wood with chrome pulls and knobs.

Modern – Moderns styles change from year to year. Most recent designs include sleek, straight and clean lines. Less is more, such as less accessories, hidden appliances, and minimal details. Common materials include stainless steel, marble, granite, and frosted glass. Basic geometric shapes and bold, bright colors such as reds, blues, and yellow or black and white are prevalent.

Southwestern – This style features a lot of detail and craftsmanship. Natural materials such as stucco and hand-painted fabrics are very common, as are wood, quarry tile, ceramic tile, earth tones, and vibrant accessories. Colors usually reflect the nature of the desert such as warm oranges, greens, tans and browns. Southwest kitchens usually incorporate ceramic materials and terra cotta elements.

Traditional – Plays up architectural details such as crown moldings, raised wood paneling and rich, deep colors to enhance the mood and traditional feel. Dark stains, honey tones, semi-opaque paints, wicker baskets, and oak cabinets add to the usually more formal feel than country style.

Country – Rustic, weathered look creates a warm, cozy feeling in a country style home. Common colors range from muted hues to earth tones. Exposed beams, pine paneling, brick and barn boards are elements used to express this style. Fabrics and patterns are a sure way to create a country feeling, as is the use of wallpaper and baskets.

Eclectic – A mix of old and new features combined for a harmonious look. This style is not characterized by a particular color palette, patterns, style, or material but is a mix of extravagant decorations from numerous eras, including hand-me-downs, second-hand items and other recyclables. Kitchens and bathrooms may include modern appliances mixed with antique decorations to the complete opposite.

Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association

Timing and money are the most common questions a home improvement contractor hears, but during an interview with a homeowner when homeowners should be asking about credentials and verifying business practices what is often heard is, “When can you start? When will it be finished? How much will it cost?”

These simply aren’t enough. Yes, timing may be “everything” in comedy, but that certainly isn’t the case when it comes to remodeling. If you are going to have a successful remodeling project, you need to learn the right questions to ask and how to ask them.

When a group of NARI remodeling contractors were asked what questions homeowners asked most frequently, the group unanimously agreed that their most popular queries were:

• When can you start?
• When will you be finished?
• What time will you knock on my door each morning?
• What time will you quit for the day?
• Are you going to work everyday?
• Can you finish before (insert any major holiday or significant family event)?
• How much will it cost per square foot?

Unfortunately, these are not the type of questions that are going to tell you much about a particular contractor.  While a reasonable timetable and budget is important, it shouldn’t be the primary focus of an interview or a job. Homeowners should also focus on trust and quality.

Start by asking questions about a company’s business practices and experience in a similar type of project. If you decide you want to hire a particular remodeling contractor, then you can discuss when he or she can start, what time he or she can knock on your door each morning and when you will have your home to yourselves again.

Here are some questions NARI members recommend you ask before signing a remodeling contract:

• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
•   Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
• Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? (Always verify this information by calling
  the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date, you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. If licensing is required in your state also ask if the contractor is licensed and call to verify compliance with the law. Not all states offer or require licensing. Check with your local or state government agencies.)
•   What is your approach to a project such as this?
•   How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
•   May I have a list of reference from those projects?
•   May I have a list of business referrals or suppliers?
•   What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business?
•   Are you a member of a national trade association?
•   Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education, such as earning Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) or
  Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR) designation?

It’s also important to realize that sometimes it’s not the answers you get that are significant, but what you don’t get. Asking the right questions is not enough. You need to pay attention to your instincts and to what information is missing. Unlike your accountant or stockbroker, your remodeler will be a part of your daily life and available for some on-the-job education. He or she will be privy to your personal life, more so than your doctor or lawyer. Your contractor will know how you look early in the morning and how well behaved your dog is. It makes sense that you should take some time to carefully select this person and make sure that it is someone to whom you can ask questions.

Remodeling can be a fun experience. You get to create your dream room or home and learn a little about design and building along the way. All you need to do is ask questions. Questions that, according to NARI members, remodelers don’t feel that are getting enough of. So tap into your curiosity and ask away.

Source:  National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)

When considering a basement remodel, start by making a floor plan.  Be sure to mark the location of your furnace, washer and dryer, and any other large appliances.  Take notes on:

• access to the basement from upstairs and outside
• location of existing plumbing if you want an additional bathroom
• location of vertical support columns
• location of windows and doors
• floor/ceiling/wall materials.

Given their constant contact with the earth, basements are vulnerable to dampness, which makes basement remodeling a bit more complex than first meets the eye.  We’ll help you take appropriate measures to ensure a room free from moisture.

Most basements have low ceilings and few windows.  But this doesn’t have to limit you.  There are many creative ways to make your basement light and airy.  Talk to us about the variety of wall and ceiling lighting options available.  We’ll make sure to provide appropriate electrical lines and outlets.

Here are some tricks-of-the-trade for making your underground space first-class:

• Stay away from dark wood paneling and instead  consider drywall painted in light tones to make the room brighter.  Semi-gloss paint will gently reflect even more light into the room.
• Open up the visual space.  Double doors–even glass double interior doors–take away the typical cubicle look.  Or, how about a rounded archway or pass through area from one room into another?
• Check to see if existing windows can be enlarged. Or, consider installing a small-boxed window for a mini-garden to grow herbs or start plant seedlings.
• Built-in bookcases and entertainment units add richness and depth to a room.  Light them with interior lights or from the top to cast light downwards.
• Disguise vertical support beams and horizontal ceiling pipes or floor joists by boxing them in. Or, you might decide to actually use pipes and beams as interesting accents by painting them with bold colors or subtle earth tones.

An unfinished basement is much like a diamond in the rough—unexplored splendor awaiting your discovery!