Remodeling spending should increase by the end of the year, and the growth could hit double-digits in the first quarter of 2011. The prediction pushes spending from $107.7 billion in the third quarter of this year to $128.8 billion in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of more than 12 percent. “Absent a reversal of recent economic progress, there should be a healthy upturn in home improvement activity by year-end and into next year,” says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It appears that we’ve become at least cautiously optimistic about investing in our homes again. “The recovery in home improvement activity appears to be moving beyond simple replacement projects and energy retrofits to broader remodels and upgrades,” says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Now that the water has become warm enough to jump back in, what truly matters is making sure you do your homework when it’s time for improvements. Do you understand the scope of the project? Do you understand the budget it will take to turn your northwest Denver bungalow into an inviting, warm and tastefully trendy abode? Are you comfortable with your licensed contractor? Have you seen the company’s previous jobs? Has the company been around since Stapleton was an airport rather than a neighborhood? Is the company affiliated with other reputable contractors?

In this issue of Renew, we will help you examine some of the details that should be considered to make your Colorado homes more comfortable and efficient. From kitchen and garden adventures to using your space and energy efficiently, we’ll explore the possibilities.

However, you wouldn’t feel so lucky if an unscrupulous lout found his way into your home without credentials and the abilities needed to do the job right. We all know better than to hire such a person or company, but it happens all of the time.

True professionals understand the expenses that go into providing a service, whether it is design, materials, labor, marketing or other items needed for a successful business. Those costs and a profit margin have to be covered when a contractor agrees to work in your home. In addition to being comfortable with your contractor’s personality (you might need to interview as many as three separate firms), you have to be comfortable with the cost. Know your budget and stick to it. And if a bid seems too low to be realistic, beware. It will likely cost you more than a legitimate bid in the long run.

Local professionals are dealing with the economic downturn in a variety of ways. One industry supplier has added additional product lines to keep contractors happy. A designer said her clients have scaled back the size of their projects, so she simply tries to take on more projects to make up the difference.

A few words of caution: As a friend and food expert always says, don’t visit a Mexican restaurant and order the French cuisine. Or, if the folks that keep your lawn manicured decide they are also plumbers, be careful. With the industry turned upside down, there are plenty of carpenters willing to try electrical work and vice versa. Don’t be fooled. Hire professionals and check their credentials, insurance and worker’s comp. If it was a jack-of-all-trades that you sought, you’d have hired your son-in-law to do the work.

And one last timely issue to consider: Make sure you have your own definition or at least expectation of “green remodeling” when you launch a project. All companies want to advertise the word green when they hang out their shingle. Most firms have moved toward more sustainable remodeling practices, and the trade associations offer classes and certifications now. However, if your idea of green is a zero carbon footprint, then you’d better outline that expectation upfront with your contractor. His or her idea of green or sustainable home improvement practices could differ from yours.

Joe Ross
Renew Associate Publisher, Editor
joe@pub-house.com

Delaying purchases comes naturally in tough economic times. What will the market do next? Will my company be able to ride out the downturn without layoffs? Should I plan a move or stay put and improve my current home?

We’ve all bounced these and other questions around in recent months. It’s unclear where and when the next wave of economic news (good or bad) will strike. There are few guarantees when in investing, but spending money to improve one’s home is nearly always a safe investment in Colorado. Reports indicate that our housing market is faring better than the national average. Let’s face it, this state still attracts people looking for a new beginning like few others. Although some home values dropped during the last year or so, the values are sure to return just as quickly.

One of the smartest investments is one that drives down future costs – such as harnessing the sun to provide electricity. And there are good reasons to examine solar possibilities.

Take former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan for example. Why would he waste his time installing a photovoltaic system on a house that will cost more than was spent to build Bears Stadium (which would eventually morph into Mile High Stadium). Well, there might be a number of answers to that question, but the most obvious is that he (or the next owner) will save money on the energy bills, while using less coal, gas and electricity. That’s what our politicians would call a “win, win.”

Speaking of politicians, you can bet that the new administration will move toward incentives for green-related energy. Additionally, rebates will continue in Colorado under Amendment 37. Check Xcel Energy’s Web site (xcelenergy.com) or other providers for the latest information.

The upfront cost of a solar photovoltaic system that would meet the demands of the average Denver-area home would be less than buying a new car. But rather than jumping into a system that won’t provide an adequate return on investment, talk with two or three solar companies. Bounce your goals off the experts who understand the technology, its advantages and its limitations.

It’s possible that your money would be better spent on a bathroom or kitchen – but then it still takes energy to keep those rooms functioning – energy that could be snared for a relatively small cost.

Joe Ross
Associate Publisher, Editor
joe@pub-house.com

One expects to hire an architect with impressive credentials and advanced degrees, but what about the average contractor? Why shouldn’t he or she be able to demonstrate that extra effort has been invested to keep up to speed in the competitive home improvement industry? Before jumping into a project, look behind the scenes for quality companies with employees who are trained and ready to handle the inevitable surprises that accompany most major remodeling jobs.

There are a variety of home improvement circumstances in which true expertise is required. As Denver’s maturing neighborhoods see the next wave of homeowners interested in improving their dwellings, it’s important to have a professional evaluate everything from paint and plumbing to electricity and gas lines.

Trade associations, including the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodelors Council, have membership requirements. Both have local chapters. NARI reports that its membership must follow a strict code of ethics. NARI also offers certifications, such as the Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) or Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR).

The NAHB Remodelors Council offers designations such as the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), or Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD). NAHB’s latest designation acknowledges the “green” push. Certified Green Professionals are required to take a 16-hour Green Building for Building Professionals class, eight hours of business management instruction and have a minimum of two years of industry experience. Builders, remodelers, real estate agents, designers, marketers and others are eligible to get certified.

Several other organizations are important to the industry, including the American Society of Interior Designers, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the American Institute of Architects and the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado. All of them expect members to meet requirements and remain in good standing.

I’m not here to tell you that non-certified remodelers should be tossed out like scraps of leftover lumber. However, most home improvement veterans realize the value in education and training. And, it gives them bragging rights when it comes to marketing and advertising their companies.

Let’s be honest, the average homeowner knows very little about transforming a dusty, dry-walled basement into an all-purpose room where kids and adults can cut loose on a Saturday night. Place those types of remodeling endeavors squarely in the hands of the professionals who thrive on making our homes more beautiful than the day they were built.

Joe Ross
Associate Publisher, Editor
joe@pub-house.com

We’ll start with the stove: even though the basic technology remains the same, ranges and ovens have come a long way in the past few decades. Gas burners are still the favorite, though refinements in glass top coils make electric elements a competitive choice, particularly for budget-conscious remodelers. Art Fast, owner of Kitchen Masters in Lakewood, notes a third option. “We’ve seen a resurgence in magnetic induction (which heats the pot directly instead of the stove surface). It’s becoming more popular for families with small children, since the stove surface cools off almost immediately after the pan is removed.” Bosch introduced a pair of induction cooktops last year, noting the inherent efficiency of a heating system that does not waste energy heating the surrounding air.

For many homeowners, however, gas is still the only way to go. “Performance and versatility are the keys to a good stove,” says Fast. “Look for high BTUs, but also the ability to simmer at very low heat.” High-end units by companies such as Dacor, Viking, Sub-Zero and Wolf address versatility in a number of ways, including pairing a classic gas range with electric convection ovens.

Another combination cooking tool growing in popularity is the speed oven. This small appliance uses a three-pronged approach to heating food by adding convection (forced air) heat and a halogen heat lamp to a standard microwave. Explains Fast, “It’s smaller than your normal oven, and not designed to be the only one in your kitchen, but since it’s incredibly fast and capable of browning, we’re seeing more and more of them installed as a secondary oven.”

Stoves aren’t the only appliances doing double-duty. The latest refrigeration technology uses two cooling systems: one for the fridge and one for the freezer. Most refrigerators regulate food temperatures by blowing air from the freezer into the refrigerator compartment. The problem with this design is that air from the freezer is dry. That is great for preventing freezer ice build-up, but not so great for preserving moisture-hungry, perishable foods. Enter the newest fridge from Sub-Zero. Separate cooling units allow the freezer to stay dry while circulating longevity-increasing moist air throughout the fridge. This extends the shelf life of your leftovers by weeks, not days. The company estimates that over the course of 15 years, the food savings alone should pay for the purchase price.

Speaking of price, if one is spending four figures on what is essentially a big metal box, the question arises of whether to showcase or hide that item, be it a fridge, range or dishwasher. Some homeowners prefer unobtrusive functionality while others choose to use the appliances themselves as stylistic elements. The stainless steel exteriors that have grown so popular evoke the practical efficiency (and hopefully the high-quality food!) of a commercial kitchen. The look is now so ubiquitous that it can really be considered neutral: feel free to blend stainless steel into nearly any kitchen design, traditional or modern. Fast suggests looking for models that feature a fingerprint-resistant clear coat finish. It’s a nod to convenience that will slow the daily smudge build-up.

Paneled or “hidden” appliances offer convenience as well as an attractive appearance. “We’re seeing more and more easy-access dishwashers and under-cabinet fridge drawers,” says Fast. “Particularly as people get older, they don’t want to bend down to put away dishes or stretch to reach the far corners of a large refrigerator.” The solution? Cabinet-style installations for dishwashers can raise the unit a foot or more off the floor. The extra height means less stress on your back, and also less likelihood of toddlers or pooches getting noses in the way. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers are another way to add easily reachable storage to your kitchen while saving some space. Viking’s pair of drawers adds 5.8 cubic feet of extra room placed under 24” of under-counter space.

In order to save room on top of the counter as well, consider a multi-tasking kitchen machine to handle mixing, blending, juicing and even meat grinding. Bosch’s Universal Plus Kitchen Machine combines all of those functions into a compact yet powerful mixer. With fewer appliances cluttering your countertops, the ones that remain will be easier to use and easier to see. Use this opportunity to add a splash of color to your kitchen. Toasters in particular are designed with an eye toward fashion as much as function. Siemens, Krups, Bosch and Dualit all offer products that promise to please the eye as well as the palate.

Ultimately though, the balance between form and function, performance and appearance, is one for each homeowner to approach on his or her own. Just don’t forget that whatever else goes on in your kitchen, it is ultimately built to cook.

Siding, a new roof, landscaping, carpet, appliances, artwork or new furniture: all of these items fall into the remodeling category. Additionally, every few years most of us will jump into bigger projects, such as kitchens, baths or basements.

Just because the new housing market is down, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to remodel, especially this time of year.

During spring we tend to discover our home’s potential. It comes with the turf in Colorado, where people take advantage of the change of seasons. Does the old garden and landscape need to be thought about in a different way? Would a different color trim make the house stand out? Would the home-office addition open up career choices that seem just out of reach? It’s the time of year in which we find the things that we’ve ignored throughout the winter and give them some serious thought.

For many people, it makes sense to spend money renewing their current home rather than trying to sell it. The investment pays off in two ways. Remodeling one’s home means you have a better place to live. When it’s all broken down, remodeling your home can cost considerably less than buying new. That’s especially true for those who live in strong neighborhoods where values are likely to ascend when the housing market improves. Secondly, when the time comes to sell, you will have a better “product.” Who knows where the new-housing market goes from here? If one listens to the experts, it could be a decade before it rebounds.

Whether you are planning a quick improvement by painting, or seeking to make structural changes with an addition, spring is a good time to renew your property.

Joe Ross
Renew editor