Matt Brooke, Author at Home Rebuilders

Remodeling Market Index Climbs For Second Quarter in a Row

Posted on October 24, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

Here is some good news out of Washington.

The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) continued to climb at a modest pace in the third quarter of 2013 rising two points to 57, the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The RMI is based on a quarterly survey of professional remodelers, whose answers to a series of questions were assigned numerical values to calculate two separate indexes. The first index gauges current market conditions and is based on remodelers’ reports of major and minor additions and alterations, plus maintenance work and repairs, on both owner- and renter-occupied dwellings. The second index summarizes indicators of future remodeling activity and is based on remodelers’ responses to questions about calls for bids, amount of work committed for next three months, job backlogs and appointments for proposals.

An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity. The RMI’s current market conditions index rose from 54 in the previous quarter to 58, the highest reading since the creation of the RMI in 2001, driven partly by rising existing home sales.

“The growth in home equity and home sales prompted home owners to remodel as they prepare to move or undertake upgrades that they put off during tough times,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, a remodeler from Houston. “NAHB Remodelers looks forward to continuing our tradition of professional service and craftsmanship as the housing recovery makes progress.”

All three major components of the RMI’s current market conditions index increased in the third quarter. Major additions and alterations increased from 51 to 55, minor additions and repairs from 55 to 58 and maintenance and repair from 57 to 59. The future market indicators component of the RMI remained even with the previous quarter reading of 56.

Regionally, the RMI has registered two consecutive quarters of gains in the Northeast, Midwest and West. In the South, the RMI edged down slightly in the third quarter after a five point gain the previous quarter. All four regions were above 50 and higher in the third quarter than in the first quarter of 2013.

“In addition to existing home sales, which support remodeling activity as owners fix up their homes before and after a move, remodeling has benefitted from rising home values,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “This boosts home equity that owners can tap to finance remodeling projects. We expect existing home sales and house prices to increase, but at a slower rate over the next year, so the demand for remodeling services should also increase, but more gradually over that period.”

NAHB Remodelers is America’s home for professional remodelers, representing the more than 24,000 remodeling industry members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Founded in 1982, the organization provides information, education and designation programs to improve the business and construction expertise of its members and to enhance the professional image of the industry. Its membership incorporates 148 local councils in 45 states.

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Bath Design Trends

Posted on October 10, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

Bathroom remodels will always be popular and will always be complicated and sometime expensive to renovate. A bath can have some of the most costly building materials and products squeezed into one of the smallest spaces in your home. If you are thinking about embarking on a bath project, the investment can provide one of the largest returns to your home’s value. This type of renovation can also improve the quality of your life on a daily basis. All that being said, when renovating a bath, it is important to spend your money wisely and choose materials well. The fruits of your labor are going to be around for awhile and you want to make sure they have staying power. If you make a miss-step on a curtain selection, it can often be changed. Poor finishes or layout in a bath renovation can be there to stay. We have compiled a few design trends and renovation tips to consider.

large showers

Today, showers seem to be one of the things homeowners are looking for and responding to. Often a tub/shower combination is removed and replaced with a large rectangular shower. People are looking for multiple shower heads, possibly hand held sprays, and spacious shelves for shampoos and bottles. Shower doors with frameless glass have been the gold standard for years. Today people are exploring showers without any doors by creating a “wet zone” in a bath. Luxurious showers have taken the spotlight from the once wildly popular garden tub.

soaking tubs

The days of the jetted tub with multiple functions and pulsating streams of forced air seem to be over. They have developed a reputation for being loud and difficult to clean, two things not condusive to relaxation. The large tiled decks that these tubs sat in are also being left in the past. Too much square footage and often dangerous to get in and out of. Today people are interested in deep, soaking tubs, a place you can restfully float in, up to your ears in hot water.

private toilet rooms

This has been popular for a while now and certainly appears to be here to stay. The enclosure of the toilet into its own closet-like space has enabled the bath to be used by multiple family members, comfortably and with privacy. If space allows, this can be a fantastic feature in a bath renovation.

cabinetry function

Today’s hot buttons in cabinetry seem to be about function. Deep drawers for taller bottles and easier access are popular. Divided drawers, similar to silverware inserts, also provide organization for makeup. The placement of outlets in medicine cabinets and drawers also create permanent homes for electric toothbrushes, shavers, hair dryers and the like. Finding a home for everything, off the vanity counter, seems to be the mantra for creating that clean, spa-like feel.

universal design

Even younger generations seem to be open to thinking about how a bath will be used later in life. Grab bars are appearing in more and more baths and the manufacturers have taken notice. Today they appear much more like towel bars and can do double duty. Showers are being designed without thresholds to step over and smooth, linear shower drains are seen everywhere.

neutral finishes

You may love patterned Mexican tiles, but you may want to think twice about making a large investment in something specific and hard to replace. The wisest course in bathroom materials can often be the neutral one. Natural materials and stones can have a longer shelf like and appeal to more people, should you ever try to sell your home. Save the patterns for the artwork or towel.

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Moving Out During Renovation

Posted on October 4, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

So you are thinking about a large scale home renovation? Fantastic. Transforming your house into the home of your dreams can be incredibly rewarding and a great investment. The process can be challenging of course and construction can feel traumatic. Many homeowners, particularly if their renovation is encompassing areas of their entire home, decide living elsewhere for the construction is the way to go. If you are debating adding the potential cost of a rental onto your renovation, ask yourself a few questions. How tolerant am I of a mess? Does anyone in my family have allergies? Do I have high strung pets? Will I have either a kitchen or a bathroom to use? Although, our professional staff does an incredible job of making your home livable and trying to keep dust and debri down, renovation can be an ugly business. So if you decide moving out is best, here are a few things to think about.

Renting can be costly. Do you have friends or family that can take you in? Don’t ask your best friend to house your family of five plus dog. Those things never work out. But sometimes people can be creative. Know anyone with a lake house? In-laws going to Florida for the winter? Tread lightly, this could be fraught with danger.

If your renovation is going to be messy for a smaller period of time you can think about a holiday. Confirm you have open communication, wifi, and cell service wherever you head so you are available for questions that may come up back on the job site.

It can be a huge help and benefit to all to pack away as much as possible from areas that will be effected by renovation. And this is where some help will be of use to you – you can ask movers to come and pack professionally. Packing should also include anything of significant value, and sentimental value counts as well.

Moving out is not just about finding an affordable place. You also need to think about what you will do with your subscriptions, will you be changing your address, will you terminating the phone and internet providers and transferring to your rental?

Plan ahead, have realistic expectations and keep your eyes on the prize!

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Kitchen Design Trends- things to look for and things to avoid

Posted on September 27, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

A granite counter here, new custom cabinets there. Anyone who’s ever undertaken a kitchen remodeling project knows those costs can add up quickly. According to the Remodeling Magazine 2012-13 Cost vs. Value Report, the national average cost for a high-end kitchen makeover is now $53,931.

Because they’re such a large investment, most homeowners hope to end up with a finished product that looks fresh as long as possible. What’s hot and trendy today may be out of vogue in a year, making your kitchen look outdated before you’ve had a chance to break it in. One important question to ask yourself before renovation begins is “who is this remodel for?”

Is this project for you and your family to enjoy forever? Is this a long term house? Or is your kitchen only your “Mr Right for right now”? Do you have plans to sell your home in a few years? Is there a good chance your family size, dynamics, job situation may change relatively soon?

“Is this something the homeowners are doing for themselves, for their own enjoyment?” he said. “Or, do they need to update to be able to sell their house?” The answers to these questions can help drive design choices for the kitchen and beyond.

If you remodel falls into the somewhat temporary catagory, you need to make design decisions that will lead to getting the highest return on your investment and which will appeal to the largest number of people. For example, a white painted kitchen has a draw in the current marketplace and it has for some time.

If, however, you have no plans to move anytime soon, you don’t want to completely throw caution to the wind, but you can make more personal design decisions. In total honesty, most kitchen remodels are begun, not because the current kitchen is completely unfunctioning, but because the finishes and materials become tired and worn out looking. As you look to the future in your new space, find ways to add personality without completely committing to trendy phases.

While no one can say for sure which kitchen features will stand the test of time, here are a few trends you may want to avoid to keep your remodel looking relevant for years to come.

Keeping small appliances behind closed doors was a notion that gained a lot of fans in the 1980s and ‘90s. Unfortunately, these garages ate up a lot of valuable counter space. Today’s homeowners generally choose to keep often-used appliances right on the counter, and pull-out drawers are terrific hideaways for blenders, mixers and more.

A decade ago, desk areas in kitchens were a desired feature. Today many people find these spots were never used to sit down and plan a meal or take a phone call. Instead they became drop zones for papers and mail and every other thing. With wifi networks and cell phone use being the constant in today’s homes, a drawer that accomodates plugs for cell chargers, laptop docking station, or family electronics may be the smarter way to go.

Farmhouse sinks have long been on the wish list for homeowners. For several years, nothing said I got a new kitchen and paid a fair amount of money for it quite like the apron front sink. This slowly may be making way for a more practical return to the workhorse, stainless undermount sink. Time will tell when this trend fades.

These appliances were especially popular in the 1970s and ‘80s but not so anymore. Oh, they still have their fans, but they tend to get stinky as they fill up with garbage, they can malfunction and many homeowners simply don’t want to hassle with keeping them clean.

The most current kitchens have a space for the microwave — and it’s not on the counter or in a niche built into the upper cabinets. Under-counter microwave drawers fit in seamlessly with the rest of your cabinets, free up valuable kitchen real estate and make sense ergonomically. Marketed toward families on the go, they’re installed at an accessible height for children and equipped with safety locks for homes with toddlers.

All the rage in 2009, ’10 and ’11, decorative range hoods haven’t completely disappeared from the scene, but their popularity is waning. Ditto pot racks. Hanging pots tend to detract from the open kitchen concept. Today’s homeowners generally prefer storing their pot collections in deep drawers that roll out for accessibility.

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3 Questions: Bill Bartlett

Posted on September 20, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

This is the first in our new blog series, 3 Questions. We are interviewing folks related to all things “home” here in Atlanta. We will be speaking with designers, suppliers, realtors, building inspectors, neighborhood leaders, and maybe even a few past clients. So to kick it off we are starting close to home with the president and owner of Home ReBuilders and DogGoneHandy, Bill Bartlett.

1.WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU EVER BUILT?

Well, I certainly was an active fort builder as a child. I remember one underground fort quite well. I also started my construction career as a teenager doing manual labor for an uncle’s construction firm.

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE?

I probably am most drawn to the Arts and Crafts and Craftsman style. I grew up around older homes in Toronto and will always be attracted to thick trimwork and substantial wooden details. But most recently, I’ve been keen on some more contemporary styles. Things that combine the textures of wood but are interpreted in a cleaner, more industrial way.

3. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROJECT

Although the completion and sale of my first spec house in the early 90’s was incredibly thrilling, I think I have enjoyed the projects my wife and I have done together. She’s a talented interior designer and it has been very rewarding building a few homes together and creating spaces for us to work and live in.

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Ranch Conversions- Updating Your Ranch for Today’s Living

Posted on September 10, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

The ranch home has long been a symbol for American suburban expansion and represents a period of economic growth after WWII. Young soldiers were home, starting families, and looking for housing. The ranch provided an affordable entry into suburbia and became a staple in the architectural landscape of America. The humble ranch had a lot going for it, an open floor plan, large building lots, access to yards, an affordable price tag, and typicaly well built.

For Atlantans, these ranches built in the 1950s are often found in desirable neighborhoods that have grown and changed around the ranch. The large lot remains and can provide a fantastic setting to build upon. The simple structures of the first floor of a ranch makes an easy “foundation” for a future two story home so many growing families now desire. The neutral nature of the ranch is another selling point for renovation. This blank palette can become a stately tudor, traditional Georgian, or contemporary stunner. At Home ReBuilders, we have designed and built them all and have helped clients take their basic ranch in a beloved neighborhood, and turn it into the home of their dreams-whatever the style may be.

If you are thinking of adding to your family, or just need some more room to grow, consider adding up on your ranch home. It is economical and proves to be one of the best returns on renovation investments of any project we know. By adding up on the home, you keep the first floor structure, basement, landscaping and hardsacpes. Even if we take the exisiting ranch down to the first floor, the saving in a ranch conversion verse removing the home completely and building new is substantial. Tpicaly at least $100k. This can go a long way towards furniture, the kitchen and baths or college. So if you own a ranch or are perhaps looking to buy one, remember this style has a lot going for it!

If you would like to explore your ranch conversion in more detail, please call Karen King or Bill Bartlett at 404-876-3000.

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Second Floor Additions, Up or Out?

Posted on September 6, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

When people think about additions to their home, we are often asked “Is it better to build up or out, and which one is most cost effective?”

We are often asked is it better to go up… or out? And which is more cost effective?

Up or Out? The answer really depends upon the goals of the addition, style of the house, access to the new space and the land around the existing home. However, I will say that in the many in-town homes that we have worked on, “up” is most often the way to go. Building up maintains the yard around the home which is a premium in-town. Also if designed correctly, provides enhanced curb appeal from the street which adds to the value of the home and provides a better resale price.

Which is more cost effective? It is interesting that in the projects where we concepted both an up and alternatively an out plan, the up was often a bit more cost effective. The trick here is the design and placement of the stairs. If the stairs can be worked out, without having to reverse the basement stairs, and moving too many walls, then up saves the cost of the foundations and landscape disturbance. Keep in mind that most second story additions require the reframing of the old ceiling joists to allow for floor loads. This we like to do with a separate 10” floor joist system that we nestle in between the old ceiling rafters (this is called sistering). This allows for a separate diaphragm system for ceiling & floor joists and thus increases the sound proofing, minimizes the potential of plaster cracks in the old ceilings, and reduces the overall addition height. All good things, but in the end the construction costs of going up are close to, but maybe a tick less than, going out.

Many of our past projects can be seen on our website at…http://homerebuilders.com/ga/atlanta/custom-home-remodeling/gallery

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Home Renovation- Back to School Makeover

Posted on September 5, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

Did anyone have a room made vacant by a young adult who has headed off to university? Although we always want to encourange visits home, this recent vacancy could provide the opportunity to create the home office or guest room you have been looking for. Have you craved a craft space or man zone to watch the game, undisturbed? This could be the moment you have waited 18 years for. A few simple changes can create a room that can welcome your collegiate offspring home and still accomodate the needs you may have as well. Often a young adult heads off to college and their old room becames a large storage locker- items not cool enough to take to university but perhaps a bit too sentimental to drop at the local Goodwill. With some storage boxes or plastic bins, clearly labeled, and then housed on some garage or basement shelves, you can eliminate the storage unit feel. These boxes can be saved for a later date-archived or ready to move along when the time is right.

With your blank slate cleared and ready, paint is always a great transformer at minimal cost. Is the carpet old and stained from science projects and late night snacks? Removing the carpet, although an expense, can provide a tremendous reward. FLOR carpet tiles are a product worth looking into if you want a flexible carpet replacement. Swapping out light fixtures or ceiling fans can be a stylistic improvement as well as a functional upgrade. A sewing or craft room may need focused task lighting where a yoga studio or guest room may require soft lighting on a dimmer. It would be recommended to keep the room gender neutral. It may not be as fun for Joe College to come home to Janet’s quilting corner. But on the other hand, your young one has made it to university-you deserve it!

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Aging In Place, Shaping Your Home for Your Future

Posted on September 5, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

According to US Census, the 65 and older population now totals 38.6 million and is expected to grow as “baby boomers” reach retirement age. Housing trends have shown that this boomer group has started small with their first homes and then consistently “traded up” to larger homes. With today’s housing situation, many people find themselves ready to sell their larger homes as they age and their family size shrinks, but the market has prevented sales. This leaves many charting their next move and often their path leads them to the Aging in Place concept. Through design and renovation, many people are modifying their current homes to accomodate their needs as their mobility diminishes. This enables people to retain the value and equity they have in their homes as well as stay in a neighborhood they may have deep ties to. If you are thinking about renovating a home you are currently in, thinking ahead to the future can be valuable. Do you see this as perhaps a “forever home”? Careful planning with a designer or architect can open the options for your later years.

There are many modifications one can make to one’s home to make it more user friendly to someone of advanced age. Bathrooms can sometimes pose the largest challenge but can often yield the largest return. Nothing can be more dangerous or curb one’s independance, like a slippery tub and less than agile legs or compromised balance. The study of universal design, made popular as a concept in the 1990’s, allows for the user’s changing needs. Instead of a shower/tub combination, a roll-in style shower may be used. A bathroom can be designed to accomodate not just the usual towel bars but stable grab bars as well. The traditional vanity may not be the best choice for someone who may need to use a walker or wheelchair. Lever handles on doors or cabinetry can assist someone with difficulty gripping. Light switches can be automatic and on motion sensors. The automatic soap dispensers often found in commercial applications, are available and can be installed in the home. The available aids are truly limitless. The challenge is only to think and plan ahead and have your design and renovation reflect this advanced planning. At Home ReBuilders, we have a staff well versed in the Aging in Place movement. We’d love to talk to you about your changing needs.

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Camping, In Your Own Home

Posted on July 26, 2013March 24, 2015 by Matt Brooke

Renovating your home can be both incredibly rewarding and extremely stressful, sometimes in equal parts. Large sums of money can be required and your house will sometimes seem to be ransacked in the process. Depending on the scope of your project, you may decide to live in your home during your renovation. Home ReBuilders had been renovating homes for over 30 years and we have a few helpful tips you may want to consider during your “construction camping”.

The first things to think about are the scope and scale of your project. A second floor addition during a hot and rainy summer coupled with a kitchen renovation may be too challenging for even the heartiest homeowner. Keeping a home to an acceptable temperature can be a challenge when the roof comes off. If your renovation includes both kitchen and baths, staying home may not be the best choice. Washing dishes in the tub is hard enough, if the tiler is also trying to set tile in said tub, it may be impossible.

Many people decide to stay in their home during construction and there are several ways to make this as pleasant as possible with a bit of planning. If you are embarking on a kitchen project, it is important to set up some type of temporary kitchen. When the words “temporary kitchen” are used, you should be envisioning a microwave balancing on a toilet in an unused guest bath and an old fridge rolled into the corner of a family room. The important thing is to find a designated spot to house a hot plate, toaster oven, a few pans and a good collection of paper and plastic utensils. Often, we can salvage a few old kitchen cabinets and place then in an appropriate spot for use. A sheet of plywood can be used to make a countertop and sometimes a laundry sink can become your best friend. Plastic storage bins may be a good place to store your kitchen supplies to protect them from unavoidable construction dust.

Pets and children can provide some other unique challenges during construction. If you have a safe spot to confine your pet and they can handle the noise and disruption, they can certainly stay with you during construction. Doggy daycares are also everywhere these days and may be a good option during the day when most construction is going on. Children’s naps are precious to parents but can sometimes be challenging to impossible to accomodate with a quiet house during construction. If a grandparent is near by or extending a nap at a childcare facility is an option, these may help.

Another tip is to try and be as organized as possible as your home is turned upside down. Important documents that you may need to access may be best housed in a plastic portable file bin. Design decisions and notes regarding selections and product orders may also need a similar spot.

A well timed vacation may also be a welcomed break from construction. Just confirm with your project manager that all deciosions have been made and job site meetings don’t need your input. At the end of the dust and upset will be a house that provides the best home for you and your family. It will all be worth it in the end. We promise.

The design and building plans will need your approval and sometimes finding the kitchen pendant of your dreams that is no longer available, in the finish you need, or in your budget can seem like earth rotation stopping problems.

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