Remodeling is an efficient way to enhance the value of your current home. But more importantly it allows you to customize your home to meet your needs and desires, without giving up your neighborhood or school. Whether you are looking to add space, incorporate new amenities or accommodate lifestyle changes such as new children or aging, remodeling can provide an alternative to moving. Adding a new master suite or playroom, finishing a basement or upgrading kitchens and baths always are popular projects, while modifications designed to allow residents to “age in place” are becoming increasingly widespread with baby boomers and retirees.
Where Should You Start?
Before you begin remodeling, it's a good idea to think through your wants and needs. First, decide what changes you would like to make — ask yourself what you like and dislike about the house, and examine what options may be most useful for you in the future. For example, are you planning to stay in your home through retirement? In that case, you may want to consider features such as wider doors, grab bars and better lighting to allow you to comfortably “age in place.” After you’ve evaluated the potential improvements you’d like to make to your home, create a prioritized list.
Once you’ve chosen a project, look at magazines and collect pictures of what you like. Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting, and how you want to use the remodeled space now and in the future. When you meet with your remodeler, this will help you both to work together and achieve the results you want.
How Can I Find A Qualified Remodeler in My Area?
A professional remodeler offers you important services — years of experience, the right tools, a network of suppliers and subcontractors and an in-depth understanding of legal regulations, cost estimating, scheduling and the latest construction techniques.
There are several ways to find the remodeler that best fits your needs. Talk to friends and neighbors who have remodeled their homes. Who did they work with? Were they satisfied with the process and the results?
The BIA will again sponsor the Showcase of Remodeled Homes on May 5 and 6 featuring some of the finest remodeling projects around Central Ohio. This is a great opportunity for you to tour examples of a wide variety of home remodeling projects in various communities in Central Ohio.
Popular project locations in prior years have included Upper Arlington, Worthington, Grandview, Clintonville, Bexley and Dublin. This year’s project locations will be announced later this spring. More information will be available on our Web site at
www.biahomebuilders.com.
The BIA also has a Builders Directory and a Remodelers Directory available to people who are interested in building a new home or remodeling their current one. These informational directories list BIA Builders and Remodelers as well as other helpful tips for consumers.
To get your free copies, contact the BIA at (614) 891-0575 or e-mail