By Sharon Rooney Chair, PR Committee, Remodelers Council
Taking care of your home with maintenance and remodeling better insures the longevity, comfort and value of your most 
important personal investment. Homeowners often don't know where to start, even when it comes to choosing a remodeling project! Local remodelers will tell you that kitchens and baths are the most popular rooms to remodel, primarily because they get the most use, and are the most essential rooms in a home. In order to help you, the homeowner, make this important decision, we talked with members of the HBA of Greater Des Moines' Remodelers Council. Devan Kaufman of Kaufman Construction says, "Kitchens and baths are always your best investments, but another way to analyze investment potential is to look around your neighborhood and notice what things the nicer homes in your neighborhood have that yours doesn't. Bringing your home up to these standards will maximize its value. “Two questions I'm often asked," adds Barry Elings, owner of Remodeling Solutions by Elings, "will this remodeling project increase the value of my home and can I recover the costs?" Elings says that remodeling almost always increases the value because people are more reluctant to buy a home that hasn't been maintained or has an outdated kitchen or bath. "While payback value of your project is a consideration, it should be secondary to family needs, preferences and the enjoyment you will gain from living in a home that meets your lifestyle." Owner of Remodeling Contractors, Rollie Clarkson, echoes Elings remarks. "The cost vs. value ratio can be determined many ways, not always by a balance sheet. A more useful project, such as more room for kids to play-accomplished with a basement finish-may not yield the best financial return, but it may be the right project for your family. “The National Association of Homebuilders Remodelers Council suggests that homeowners develop an idea of what they want to do, and write a prioritized list of needs and wants. Look at magazines and websites and collect pictures of what you like. This will help you to more clearly envision the project and describe it on paper. Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Local council member Toby Tyler, owner of MarbleWorks, adds, "Along with the look, be sure to consider the ongoing maintenance when choosing the products that will go into your remodeled spaces. Envision yourself several years from now maintaining the item you are considering.
important personal investment. Homeowners often don't know where to start, even when it comes to choosing a remodeling project! Local remodelers will tell you that kitchens and baths are the most popular rooms to remodel, primarily because they get the most use, and are the most essential rooms in a home. In order to help you, the homeowner, make this important decision, we talked with members of the HBA of Greater Des Moines' Remodelers Council. Devan Kaufman of Kaufman Construction says, "Kitchens and baths are always your best investments, but another way to analyze investment potential is to look around your neighborhood and notice what things the nicer homes in your neighborhood have that yours doesn't. Bringing your home up to these standards will maximize its value. “Two questions I'm often asked," adds Barry Elings, owner of Remodeling Solutions by Elings, "will this remodeling project increase the value of my home and can I recover the costs?" Elings says that remodeling almost always increases the value because people are more reluctant to buy a home that hasn't been maintained or has an outdated kitchen or bath. "While payback value of your project is a consideration, it should be secondary to family needs, preferences and the enjoyment you will gain from living in a home that meets your lifestyle." Owner of Remodeling Contractors, Rollie Clarkson, echoes Elings remarks. "The cost vs. value ratio can be determined many ways, not always by a balance sheet. A more useful project, such as more room for kids to play-accomplished with a basement finish-may not yield the best financial return, but it may be the right project for your family. “The National Association of Homebuilders Remodelers Council suggests that homeowners develop an idea of what they want to do, and write a prioritized list of needs and wants. Look at magazines and websites and collect pictures of what you like. This will help you to more clearly envision the project and describe it on paper. Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Local council member Toby Tyler, owner of MarbleWorks, adds, "Along with the look, be sure to consider the ongoing maintenance when choosing the products that will go into your remodeled spaces. Envision yourself several years from now maintaining the item you are considering. 
