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Matt Derrick
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Remodeling Soaring High as Consumers Choose Home Improvement

Fueled by changing lifestyles, an aging housing stock and abundance of new-home products, homeowners are choosing home improvement and remodeling in record numbers. Last year homeowners nationwide spent a record $228 billion on home improvement and maintenance – a record expected to be eclipsed again this year.

There are countless reasons why homeowners choose to invest in their existing homes with improvements and maintenance. A major reason is that aging homes need updates to keep pace with today’s needs and lifestyles. The median home in the United States is 32 years old. In 1985, the media home was only 23 years old. Improvements and repairs are needed to maintain durability and energy efficiency.

Changing lifestyles are another major motivator for home remodeling. More than 40 percent of remodeling expenditures nationwide last year were by homeowners age 55 plus, illustrating the trend among baby boomers to remodel their existing homes for today’s lifestyles. Aging-in-place remodeling projects are surging in popularity, utilizing improvements such as grab bars, curbless showers, wider doorways, main-floor bedrooms and easy to use household controls.

Yet the most popular reasons for home remodeling remain the addition of new products and designs that add comfort and value. New choices for upgrading cabinets, countertops, appliances and fixtures; creating floor plans that maximize space; and improving energy efficiency rank among the most popular options for home improvement. According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 63 percent of homeowners are also choosing to equip their homes with new features and products such as media centers, whirlpools, built-in appliances, additional storage space and higher ceilings.

Home improvement can also enhance a home’s value. Remodeling Magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value” survey shows kitchen and bathroom projects are the best bet for a return on investment. A minor kitchen remodel costing $15,000 typically adds more than 90 percent of the cost to the value of the home at resale. In neighborhoods where housing values are on the rise, replacing the siding on a home, adding a bathroom or building a deck can add more value to the home than the project costs.

Local consumers can learn more about the assortment of remodeling products and services available at the HOME SHOW – Fall Edition at Bartle Hall Oct. 19-21. Among the show’s features is “The NARI Neighborhood … A Remodeling Showcase” spotlighting top local remodeling companies, suppliers and resources. Members of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry will be among the more than 300 home improvement, design and construction companies with displays at the show. Homeowners can also pick up a free copy of NARI’s 2007 Remodeling Guide, which includes a complete list of local home improvement resources and tips for finding the right contractor.

The HOME SHOW – Fall Edition at Bartle Hall Oct. 19-21 is the one-stop-shopping destination for remodeling ideas and products this fall season. For more information, call (816) 942-8800 or visit www.kchomeshow.com.

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