Home Remodeling Forecast for 2012

With the housing industry still lackluster, many people are staying in their homes longer than usual rather than trading out for a new one. However, with lending still tight and decreasing home valuations, some people are finding it hard to get a remodeling loan. Here is an excellent article from Mark Newman of Remodeling Magazine on the outlook of the home remodeling industry for the upcoming year:

Home Remodeling to Remain Weak Through First Half of 2012

Thanks to a lackluster economy and a housing market that continues to limp along from quarter to quarter, home improvement spending will remain tepid through the first half of 2012, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

These new numbers echo the last set of LIRA data released in July, which projected remodeling activity could be down as much as 4% through the first quarter of 2012. The latest data indicate that there will even be a slight decline in home improvement projects over the next several quarters, which will likely prompt belt-tightening among most, if not all, remodelers.

“There’s a lot of volatility in the market with a bit of random, non-seasonal bouncing around,” says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center, adding that the “bouncing around” is due to replacement projects that are typically weather-related, and those numbers are getting mixed into the data. “It’s weak enough that the noise sort of dominates from what the trend is. Our indicators tell us that the trend is flat when we were hoping there would be a more clear sense of a recovery.”

Homeowner Reticence

As for how long this lackluster market will continue, Baker says to count on a fairly bleak outlook at least until the middle of 2012. “After that it’s a little too early to tell,” he says. “We’re not seeing anything that would indicate a dramatic turnaround. Quite frankly, it depends on what the economy does over that period.” Key indicators will not only include consumer confidence but also any periods of sustained job growth or a more stable housing market.

Baker adds that in terms of remodeling projects, homeowners are holding off because the equity that a new addition or an updated bathroom would bring to their homes would be negligible at best, especially considering the current market. “There’s just not a sense that if they invest in any home improvement projects that it would increase the value of their home,” he says, adding that financing is still difficult to obtain. “There are enough economic headwinds present that are keeping back any more significant growth.”

For remodeling to see a significant uptick, it’s really going to take a sharp increase in consumer confidence in the economy and housing market. “If you live in a market where prices are trailing down, it’s a more difficult decision to pull the trigger on that upscale remodeling investment,” Baker says. “You’re going to do the roofing and siding stuff that you need to do but the discretionary stuff is a harder sell in this market. It’s going to take some sense that things are getting better. And there’s enough uncertainty that people don’t feel that way at present.”

One of the big problems on the home building side is the amount of distressed housing inventory that’s available and is much cheaper than new homes. To that end, Baker says there’s tremendous remodeling potential for these homes because the owners are investing in remodeling them for resale to the tune of several thousand dollars. “That’s a pretty serious chuck of change in terms of potential for the market,” he points out. “There are some sectors that are doing well but there’s enough nervousness that’s holding [the market] back.”

One of the reasons for the state of the industry is largely due to the types of projects that were popular in the boom years but are not as prevalent during lean times, mainly upscale additions and high-end kitchen and bath remodels. “[These projects] were driving the market, and that’s the piece that’s still relatively weak,” Baker says. “Most of the other pieces have come back pretty well. This last block hasn’t quite fallen into place yet. As the economy recovers I think it will, but there’s enough nervousness that a lot of people are foregoing that piece at the moment.”

Here is a link to the original article:
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/home-remodeling-to-remain-weak-through-first-half-of-2012.aspx

Brian Heltzeljavascript:void(0)
The Floor Barn flooring store
Burleson, TX
http://www.floorbarn.com

Home Remodeling: How to Do More With Less

Are you thinking about getting new flooring or remodeling your home? I wanted to share this article that I found from The Wall Street Journal that I thought would be beneficial for those of you who are contemplating taking on a new home improvement project:

Unable to sell their homes in this stagnant real-estate market, more homeowners are settling in for the long haul and renovating.
But at a time when there's less home equity to tap into and lending standards are still tight, people will likely be able to spend less on renovations than before the housing crisis. If you're looking to make updates on a budget, figure out which projects are going to make a big difference—for your comfort now and resale later—for relatively little money.
"Before, everyone had built so much equity in their home, people were going so over and above in home-improvement projects," says Jon Wittmaack, a Ridgewood, N.J.-based licensed contractor and co-host of home-improvement show "Brothers on Call" on the DIY Network. Now, customers "are more cost-conscious."
Labor often is the heftiest cost of a renovation. So first determine which projects you can realistically do on your own and which are best handled by a pro. If you get in over your head, it can end up costing you more in the end. You'll likely pay to fix your mistakes—including not getting the proper permits and inspections—and then to get it done right.
Certain projects, like painting and installing insulation, can be DIY with a bit of guidance from home-improvement websites and books. Replacing sinks and faucets also is fairly simple, says Michael Litchfield, author of the book "Renovation."
Updating the bathroom? Instead of spending thousands to gut the room and replace all fixtures and tile work, consider hiring a glazing company to refinish the tub and change the color of the tiles, says Mr. Wittmaack. You can replace a basic vanity (some under $200), sink (under $70), faucet (under $25) or toilet (under $40) on your own.
In the kitchen, replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts is typically around 75% cheaper than replacing the whole cabinet and drawer units. In the living room, replace carpeting. You can expect to find remnants for $2 a yard less than retail carpets, says Brent Coffelt at Remnant Carpet Co. in Oklahoma City.
If you live in a warm climate and are looking for more space, consider building an outdoor living space you can use year-round. A simple deck will run you around $1,000, thousands less than the cost of a room addition.
If you opt for a professional to do the work, there are ways to keep costs down. One way is to cut out the middle man -- the general contractor -- and hire subcontractors on your own. You'll want to consult reference books, renovation websites, and friends and family who have done renovations to get a handle on what subcontractors you're going to need and when you'll need them in the process. Ask people for references or look on websites like AngiesList.com, which have reviews of local service providers.
In some locations, you may be able to get a lower rate during the winter since that's typically contractors' slowest time, says Mr. Wittmaack. And you can keep labor costs down by doing some of the grunt work yourself, such as picking up materials at stores and throwing out debris.
When it comes to materials, some contractors get a discount that they'll pass on to customers while others will charge you a mark-up. So it's important to find out the retail price of the things you'll need. If you find a lower price on your own, tell the contractor you'll buy the materials and ask for a quote for either the cost of labor or the cost of labor plus building materials like screws and glue, says Mr. Wittmaack.

Here is a link to the original article: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Home-Remodeling-How-to-Do-wallstreet-2138387997.html?x=0&.v=1c

Brian Heltzel
The Floor Barn
Burleson, TX
http://www.floorbarn.com
Twitter: @floorbarn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/floorbarn

The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood

When consumers are looking to update the floors in their homes an increasing number of buyers are turning to engineered hard woods over other floor coverings. Both durable and eco-friendly, engineered hardwoods are becoming a popular choice flooring choice for homeowners because their price points are becoming lower and they add real value to your home.

While this earth-friendly and aesthetically appealing material is growing in popularity, not all consumers are totally familiar with engineered hardwoods. A lot of consumers confuse them with laminate flooring.

So what are engineered hardwoods and how are they made?

Engineered wood flooring is made up of layers of wood that are glued together and cross layered. The layers are comprised of thin pieces of plywood or fiber-board and the top surface is a wooden veneer that is readily available in practically any wood type.

And this is wear the eco-friendly aspect of engineered flooring comes in. Because the product is made up of layers, the top layer of fine wood is much thinner than standard wood floors. For consumers who want hardwood floors made of luxurious, rare or exotic woods, choosing engineered wood floors will help conserve the source of the wood. According to Hosking Hardwood, for each square foot of solid three-quarter-inch hardwood that is manufactured, approximately four times the amount of engineered hardwoods can be made. Because the floors are made of layers, they are great choice for flooring in areas that are prone to high moisture and humidity.

The manufacturing process of engineered hardwoods is usually done in one of two ways: sliced with a saw blade or rotary cut with a knife blade. The finished product generally ranges between three and seven inch pieces and is sometimes available in thicker wear layer. Contrary to popular belief, engineered hardwood floors can be resurfaced and have an average lifespan of 60-80 years.

Aside from the great finished look of the floors, the installation process can be fairly simple. Because of the layered ply pieces, engineered hardwoods can be installed over a dry concrete surface or even on top of some existing flooring materials such as laminates or tile. When installing engineering wood floors, it is vital to ensure that the moisture content does not exceed four percent. If you are having a flooring store or contractor install your floors, make sure they conduct a moisture test of the wood and sub-floor the hardwood is being installed on.

Although it is made manufactured differently than hardwood flooring and the finished product is different, engineered hardwood floors adds the same value to your home as traditional hardwoods. And, if you choose a rarer or exotic top layer, you may be adding more value than choosing a more common type of traditional hardwoods.

If you decided that engineered hardwood flooring is the right material for your home, make sure you find a retailer that gives you a variety of finishes and woods to choose from. Many floor dealers offer different woods and even different finishes, such as the newly-popular hand-scraped look. Hand-scraped hardwoods provide a rustic finish that really showcases the different grains and textures of the wood.
Before you decide on whether or not engineered hardwood floors are right for you, visit your local flooring stoer and do some research. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Making an informed decision and purchase will result in you being much happier with your finished product.

Brian Heltzel
The Floor Barn - Burleson, TX.
http://www.floorbarn.com
Twitter:  @floorbarn
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/floorbarn

How To Compare Mulitple Bids From Contractors!

How to compare multiple bids

Many consumers seek multiple bids when choosing a contractor for their flooring or remodeling project.  Whether you are installing floors of tile, hardwood, laminate or carpet or large bathroom or kitchen remodel projects, it is important to visit with a few different companies or stores. All contractors understand how important price is to your decision making process.  It is important you understand the pitfalls of only considering price when there are so many other factors that affect your decision.  In order for you to be able to compare price, all the proposals have to be for the same project, the same products, the same specifications, and the same quality of work.  This is almost impossible to realize.  What if you took one small, easily definable, part of the project and asked a couple of contractors how much they would charge for that element of the project?  Most contractors will try very hard to give you what you want at the price you want to pay.  They will even find cheap products and inexpensive subcontractors to help you meet your budget.  So please be careful what you ask for and how you ask for it, you want to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your investment in your remodeling project.

Keep in mind the lowest bid may not necessarily be the best bid and that an unusually low bid may be cause for alarm.  For instance the contractor or company with the lowest bid may not fully understand the project’s scope; may be inexperienced and is underestimating the amount of labor and materials required; or may be planning to cut corners by using inferior materials, low-paid, inexperienced workers, or not following local building codes.  You could end up paying to repair or replace work much sooner than if the construction was done by qualified workers with quality materials.  

Some contractors play a little game where they won’t give you an “apple” to compare to an “apple”.  They will give you a bid for something that is slightly different from their competitor’s bid so you can’t compare evenly.  Find a contractor that will listen to you and be respectful of your budget and is open about their pricing and what flooring or remodeling projects they will utilize in your project. A good and honest contractor won’t try to sell you things you don’t ask for or that are different than what you want.

Brian Heltzel
The Floor Barn
http://www.floorbarn.com
Twitter: @floorbarn
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/floorbarn

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How to Plan for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

How To Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchen remodeling is putting your creativity in mind to work. Do not make it look like everyone else's kitchen. Make it unique, make it stand out, unleash your true self.
Although kitchen improvement is an arduous task, it's worth the hard work. To lessen the burden, here are the things that need to be done for kitchen remodeling:

Things to do:

Select a theme.

Of course your old kitchen theme will work just fine but since you are planning for kitchen improvement, you will have the chance to make it look better. You will need to choose what type of flooring you would like whether it be tile, hardwood or laminate. You will also want to choose what type of countertops and backsplash you would like.

Pick a kitchen layout:

L-shape
Shaped like a letter L, containing a very flexible layout design. We can place anything in any area using this layout and the space between storage, cooking, and preparation area is close enough for an efficient work space.

U-Shaped
Layout is shaped to form a letter "U". It has adequate counter space, and an efficient working environment.

Island Option
Designed to meet modern homes because there are plenty of counter space and prevents traffic within the working area.

Galley Kitchen
Most preferred layout for smaller kitchen space. Appliances are close to one another so its perfect if only one member of the household cooks.

Tips:
1. Keep It Simple
The kitchen is designed to be a working area so avoid any clutter. Do not decorate furnish it with useless items as this will only hinder the efficiency of the kitchen.

2. Spacious and Clutter-free
Kitchen layouts are for different kitchen spaces. Choose a layout fit for your kitchen space. The Island layout looks functional and is an effective working space. But it will just be a clutter if installed on small kitchen spaces.

3. Use whatever you have
Our goal is to remodel, not to construct a new kitchen. Make use of old materials like wood, metal, plastics. etc and turn it into a new one. One good example is to repaint and fix old kitchen cabinets to use with your kitchen remodeling.

4. Hire contractors
Although it may be a good idea to do it alone, contractors still does it better. They are experienced in doing these jobs and can put your ideas into reality.

Why go for kitchen improvement?

Simple. For increased productivity. How can you work well in your old kitchen when you hear cracks on floors, holes in the ceiling, and a very dark room. Additionally modernization keeps us away from obsolete kitchen methods, ideas, and design to give way to a new and improved kitchen.

The goal of kitchen improvement is not only for aesthetics but for improved functionality. Before you decide if your kitchen needs it, plan about it first. Will it increase productivity in the kitchen and lessen your cooking time? Is it different with the current theme of your home? If yes then it's time for to remodel your kitchen.

For the latest in flooring selections for your kitchen remodel, contact The Floor Barn.

Brian Heltzel
http://www.floorbarn.com
Twitter:  @floorbarn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/floorbarn