Cost vs Value Remodeling report

Remodeling 2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Report

(www.costvsvalue.com)

Continued slumping home values pulled the overall cost-to-value ratio down again this year, extending the downward trend that began in 2006.  But whether you are buying or selling “First impression matters” These results are still showing us that history is our best teacher and overtime it has taught us that our home is still the most valuable investment most of us have.  So how do you get the most “Bang for your Buck” when it comes to supporting, maintaining or increasing your homes’ value?

     First of all, there are two types of remodeling projects.

#1.  Those we have to do such as:

a.      roofing

b.      siding

c.       window replacement

d.      energy conservation

#2    Those we want to do, such as:

a.      The need for improved space

b.      The need for more space

c.       The need for different space

d.      The need for just better looking space.

 Since Kitchen and Baths are high on everyone’s priority list, let’s take a look at the cost versus value of these projects.  The following numbers were compiled by the “Home Tech Information “systems and published by the National Remodelers Council.

A major kitchen remodel would most likely entail structural changes, new cabinets, lighting, flooring, counter tops, plumbing and new appliances.

National Averages             Cost                       Resale Value              Cost Recouped

                                           $58,367                       $40,126                             68.0%

Portland/SW Wa             $60,092                        $41,474                            69.0% 

A minor kitchen remodel would most likely be keeping the existing cabinetry, but updating with paint, faux finishes, new knobs, improved lighting, replacing dated counters and flooring.  Generally bringing the space up to date and visually pleasing.

National Averages            Cost                        Resale Value                 Cost Recouped

                                         $21,695                         $15,790                               72.8%

Portland/SWWA           $22,095                          $16,802                                76.0%

A midrange bathroom remodel:

National Averages           Costs                       Resale Value               Cost Recouped

                                         $16,634                         $10,668                            64.1%

Portland/SWWA            Costs                       Resale Value                Cost Recouped

                                         $17,598                         $10,067                            57.2%

If your thinking of creating more of the luxurious spa atmosphere in your master suite, complete with steam shower, multiple body sprays, dual vanities and radiant floor heating, the returns on  an upscale bathroom remodel would be as follows:

National Averages            Costs                     Resale Value                   Cost Recouped

                                         $53,759                         $30,738                               57.2%

Portland/SWWA             Costs                    Resale Value                    Cost Recouped

                                         $56,238                         $28,894                               51.4%

Savvy homeowners are using this time and information to give them an edge.  They are updating their homes, enjoying the new amenities, while building value and sell-ability into their homes.

For a complete list of remodeling projects, go to www.costvsvalue.com

Patti Marvitz, NWSID assoc member

LEED AP (Green Building)

Walls too Windows, LLC

Energy Savings, Smart Styling, Innovative Designs, Unparallelled quality.  Just a few of the many benefits of  Hunter Douglas Window Coverings.  If you missed the last promotions, it's not too late to start harnessing the energy escaping from your home.  The new promotions start Jan 14th and run through April 14th.  Call today for you free in home consultation and start saving $$$.

Use of glass in kitchen cabinets

These pictures are courtesy of Kitchen and Bath design, and they show some wonderful uses to perk up  cabinets.  The first one shows the use of a visually appealing curved glass cabinet that adds a completely different element than just the standard sharp corner cabinet.

Here the use of beveled glass and lighting  adds architectural detail and and really kicks it up a notch. 

Don't really want to see totally through the glass doors, but just a hint of what's behind?, add semi opaque glass for some obscurity.








Have a peninsula? Want to retain a view? Want to make the kitchen seem bigger and airy? Don't want to loose cabinet space.?  Try having both sides of the cabinets in glass, this is a great way to use natural light and have access to both sides of the cabinet.  Instant beauty.

 

Here's another view of the use of clear glass see through cabinets. Notice how light this feels, another use to maximize the natural light.






Want to break up a wall of wood? Then using glass door fronts may just be the answer.  Another option here would be to have solid wood fronts on the lower half and reserve the uppers for glass fronts, add ambient lighting and you have a dramatic look to your space.







Storage and beauty, imagine the difference if this was all in solid wood. Here the use of glass fronts creates a beautiful buffet.













Here the use of ribbed glass doors can lend a bit of a contemporary clean look.
Find the texture of glass that suits your style.









This kitchen really needed to break up the whole white wall look.  By using glass fronts, this adds visual interest to the whole project










This two tone kitchen with beverage center in black with leaded glass, gives the look of a furniture piece, creating a high end look.

$50.00 off In Home Design/Color Consultation

Be sure to take advantage of the $50.00 off  "In Home Design Consultation".  Get your home ready for those Holiday guests and events.  Expires 12/31/10

$1500 tax credit - use it in 2010

Dont' forget the $1500 tax credit ends this year.  The Hunter Douglas Duette Architella product qualifies for this energy credit with significant energy savings.  I recently installed these for a client with windows that were East and West facing (let's talk heat all day long)  in addition they were on the second story vault and unreachable.  We installed Hunter Douglas Duette Architella's with PowerRise 2.0 platinum technology (radio frequency), operated from an easy to reach wall switch (no hard wiring). This is what she had to say:

"We are so thrilled with our new Hunter Douglas window coverings, the best  news of all is our August utility bill was HALF of what is was last August. In addition, our AC doesn't kick on until late in the afternoon.  I would credit the difference due to the high energy efficiency of our lovely new Architella window coverings.  They are already paying for themselves".

K. Olson

wireless wall switch on left

Duette Architella

                          








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Call to schedule your free window covering consultation.  360-687-5076

Arrgghh, Why is it so hard to do your own space?

OK, so I thought I would share a bit of insight into this whole design process stuff and give you a personal glimpse into what  goes on even in the head of a professional, when faced with personal design decisions.  Here goes, don't judge me too harshly.  I am finally getting granite counters in my kitchen.  After years of selecting them for clients, the time has come for me to enjoy the beauty and ambiance that only granite can provide. (This might have happened earlier, but college tuition seemed to take precedence). So with that decision made, it should have been a quick jump to selecting the product, Right?  WRONG!!!  First I had to select a new sink, (under mount of course).  This actually wasn't so hard.  After research, I decided on a composite black granite double bowl by Elkay (one of the leaders in granite sinks).  The faucet also by Elkay has a real commercial grade look to it.  So far so good!  Now on to the granite choice.  What muddied the waters a bit here is that I needed to save the existing backsplash.  I actually like my current backsplash (it has a timelessness to it), but that really made an impact on deciding what granite slab would go with it.  So off I trotted to collect samples from the tile and granite suppliers.
Many of them looked great in the store, but when I brought them home the lighting in my home gave them a whole different look. Are you all listening?
Lighting plays a HUGE factor in every selection.  Finally selected a granite piece from a 12 inch square, with a name that I can't remember.  Step 2, go to the slab supplier to pick out the actual slabs that I would use.  Now if you have never had the opportunity to do this, it is an amazing experience.  But there is a 95% chance that the small sample you have will look NOTHING and I repeat NOTHING like the actual slab.   Now I wasn't silly enough to think this was going to be a quick process without emotional turmoil so I did bring along a friend with me.  It's important to note a couple of things here, my friend Amy is also a professional designer ( we have over 30 years combined experience) so clearly I was in good hands should emotion take over where good sense should prevail.  Did I also mention that Amy and I have the exact opposite in tastes!
So armed with backsplash samples in hand, and designer friend in tow off we went. As expected, my original choice looked  absolutely awful in a huge slab. So the selection process started over from scratch.  Wandering the vast array of slabs can be a daunting task, but my eye finally caught a slab that had everything  I needed (and everything my backsplash needed also).  Should have been simple from here right?  Wrong again.  The slabs came in polished and matte finish.  Oh what to do!  By now my decision making skills were sorely lacking (after all I am emotionally involved in this decision) and I really liked them both.  Here's is where professional assistance is most valuable.  After all, I had already asked everyone else down there, and it seemed to be a 50/50 split.
Amy was able to bring some clarity to the situation by asking me questions about the overall look that I wanted and present and future color options.
As we were pondering my choices, another lady walked by with that "deer in the headlights" look.  We explained that we were designers and offered to shed some light on her dilemma.  OK, creative juices started flowing, within minutes I was able to help her select the perfect slab (one that went with her current backsplash) in addition we were even able to select the perfect paint color options that would pick up on the  subtle colors in the slab.
So really what's the point of this story,  a couple of things, number one, it's always harder to do your own space because we are all  influenced by our emotions and our objectivity becomes muddled.  Number two, there are a ton of nice choices out there and you can't have them all.  You need to develop an initial game plan and stick with it.  Design assistance is invaluable when it comes to these two points.  I am so grateful that  I had someone to keep me on track and remind me of all the points that I share with my clients.
By the way, I decided on the polished slab and it will be installed this week.  I can hardly wait.

Kitchen transformations and updating idea's

As the weather starts to turn warmer (hopefully) and we get the itch to update or change a few things, no other room in the house will give you the most "bang for your buck" as a kitchen update. Whether you are looking for a total remodel or just something along the lines of a "face lift" or freshening up, there are numerous possibilities. So with that in mind, I thought I would start a short series on ideas that can inspire you along the way. There are numerous aspects to kitchen updates but no other element has the transforming power of cabinetry. With the economy still in a fragile situation, I am asked many times just what can be done to existing cabinets to give them a fresh look. One good option, if the cabinets are in good shape, (maybe just outdated) is a good coat of paint. The transformation is amazing. Don't think you are stuck with a dated look of oak, with the right color combinations your kitchen will have a totally fresh new look. The picture at the top shows a "Butter Yellow" paint, softened with a glaze over the top. Yellow cabinetry can give even the darkest kitchen a sunnier disposition and it comes in a surprising variety of shades, from pale buttermilk, zesty lemon or gold. I have personally updated a clients oak kitchen cabinets with this theme and the outcome was outstanding.

This year's colors trends lean a bit toward the neutrals, and pewter is considered one of the neutrals. Black cabinetry has long been of favorite of mine, but if you want something a bit softer you can get fabulous effects with the subtle sheen of pewter. This neutral can act as a bridge between vintage and modern. Coupled with stainless steel appliances this can be a real eye popper.

If you're a bid timid about going too far with colored cabinetry, then think about concentrating it where it will have the most impact. That could be an island, or an amoire-style pantry or anything that you would like to create as a focal point. By repeating the accent color in other parts of the room, you will gain continuity and the magic of a room that flows well.

Not just "color" but the "finish" applied acts as major impact on the final look. Here, a glossy lacquer finish maximizes the reflectivity and intensity of the soft green color. This lends itself to a more modern contemporary look, whereas the same color used with a matte finish would have muted the green and lended itself to a more traditional
ambiance.

How about a "mix and match"? Try mixing your white cabinetry with a vibrant statement. Mixing colors let's you enjoy the best of both worlds and ensures a visually interesting result.

The two photo's above show the wide versatility of color choices,the photo on the right is done in a soft gray blue with a high gloss finish that gives an edgier look than the previously all white cabinetry. By using the high gloss finish, the look lends itself to a more contemporary feeling. The picture on the left gathered it's inspiration from the china plate on display, creating a warm and friendly ambiance. Whatever your inspiration or ideas are, a fabulous and economical kitchen renovation might just start with the cabinetry. For more ideas and a personalized consultation, I would be happy to schedule an appointment with you. Please call me at 360-687-5076/Walls too Windows, Interior Design.

Stayed tuned for the next in the series of Kitchen renovations, " The use of glass and lighting"