OH, THE JOYS OF REMODELING
By Norma Lugar, Photos by Doug Miller

Love your home, but hate that cramped feeling?

Not uncommon.

“What typically happens,” says Chris McFadyen, second generation owner of Dominion Renovations, “is that after couples have several children, they run out of space.”

Then comes the big question: to move or remodel.

The addition. This J.M. Turner project incorporates one ideal of remodeling: People happy with their homes and locations can build the perfect "new" home in and around the one they've come to love.

On one hand, families may like their neighborhoods, their schools and their neighbors. On the other hand, the house doesn’t work. For many people, the decision to buy or remodel comes down to real estate’s magic word.

Charlie Coulter, a graduate master builder, holder of three national designations and a 17-year owner of his own firm before joining J.M. Turner’s residential division, sums it up.

“In real estate, only three things count: Location. Location. Location,” he says. “If a family has the right location, they will generally opt for remodeling.”

Earle H. Shumate, vice president of the 1976-founded Building Specialists, points out other remodeling advantages.

“Rather than change locations, some families would prefer to customize their present home to enhance their lifestyle,” he notes. “They’re already familiar with their house, its quirks and, for the most part, are happy with it. In addition, it’s often cheaper to remodel than move.”

Just what does remodeling cost?

That, according to Coulter, is like asking the price of a car per pound. He estimates expenses from $100 to $200 per square foot depending on the project, the expectations and specifications. He maintains the average may run between $115 to $135. McFadyen, too, sees a big range… from $50 to $100 per square foot or $100 to $150 or more, set by the work’s complexity and location in the home.

Success Tips

Before you begin planning any renovation, keep these basics mind:

1. “A good architect is essential,” says Coulter, “and while some things can be designed in-house, most of time, the owners are better served with an architect. It’s hard to beat the expertise of the trained architect who’s been working in the field for years.”

2. Balance your priorities. With planning, you can have the look and layout you want at an acceptable price.

“It’s important that the builder approaches a project with function and architectural awareness, while at the same time, maintaining a focus on the budget through building knowledge,” says Martin Pruitt, a 16-year veteran in the custom renovation field and president of Cornerstone Builders, Inc.

3. Make certain your new addition doesn’t look like a new addition. According to Coulter and Pruitt, the secret of success is blending new construction with the existing structure.

“The goal is to build additions and remodeling projects that look as if they’ve always been there,” says Pruitt. “Existing homes feature items such as mature landscaping and sidewalks, whereas most newly constructed homes lack any substantial landscaping.” He pays close attention to details such as matching existing trim and preserving mature plantings on the property.

4. Materials have changed, and today, offer owners a wide range of choices, flexibility and imagination. Don’t limit yourself with a pre-judgment mindset.

Shumate’s new favorites include composites such as interior and exterior trim of recycled wood fibers and glue, polymers, plastics and other recycled materials. He also endorses thermador gas cooktops with super slow eyes that simmer stews and sauces for hours at a time, pressure-assisted toilets and handiplank cement siding by James Handy Building Products.

The 10 Projects Roanokers Love

Given the right budget, almost anything is possible in remodeling, from lifting the roof to enclosing outside areas.

Experts agree, however, on the most common requests.

1. Enlarging and updating kitchens. In addition to more space, homeowners also want more efficiency in well-designed, flowing work stations with an accent on elegance.

“The big things today are glazed-finished cabinets and top-grade countertops of granite, soapstone and slate,” says Coulter. Other in-demand features: commercial-grade appliances with double ovens and warming drawers, ceramic surfaces with halogen elements or gas cooktops, and stainless steel, in both countertops and appliances.

“Porcelain flooring is also a trend,” Coulter says. “It looks like ceramic or terrazzo, the pricing is extremely competitive and it’s much more durable. The color is carried through the material instead of glazed on and it’s more chip resistant.”

2. Creating bigger living areas. Among McFadyen’s most common projects is taking out the walls between the living room and dining room for more usable space.

“Some houses are not suited to ’90s living. Instead of the standard living room and dining room, people want one wide open area, not several small ones,” says McFadyen.

3. Adding master suites. Not only do couples want this private retreat much larger than in previous times, they want it filled with all the extras.

To get what they want, McFadyen points out, the plan may call for an addition or it may steal space from another room to increase square footage and expand closets.

Almost always, the bath is a dream, outfitted with such luxuries as whirlpools, bidets, spacious tile showers, his and hers dressing areas or walk-in dressing rooms.

Pruitt also incorporates another factor: light, achieved by the inclusion of additional windows and/or multiple light fixtures.

4. Converting attic space to bedrooms. “This is usually remodeled into the children’s area,” says Coulter, “and it’s especially common in highly desirable neighborhoods. To make the area more welcoming, it’s best to add dormers or skylights for brightness.”

5. Finishing off basements. When space is at a minimum, here is a rough diamond just waiting to be polished off as a rec room, office or extra bedroom. The choices are unlimited. And the price is right.

Basement wonder. Bare joists and pipes have given way to a large and warm family room.

“Obviously, the basement is the most inexpensive part of the house to finish,” says Coulter. “Attics usually involve structural considerations and renovations to be suitable, while basements are generally wasted space that can add several thousand square feet at a much cheaper cost. It’s important to create good lighting and ventilation so you end up with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Two things that can help are an attractive fireplace, especially possible with the new ventless gas fireplaces, and plenty of fixtures such as recessed canned lights.”

6. Building a family room/greatroom. Almost as necessary for today’s living as a bath or kitchen, the family room is usually new construction added to the house’s existing dimensions.

McFadyen sees the location as a welcoming hub with lavish details.

“This is the place for a vaulted ceiling and attractive fireplace,” he says. “It should be a really comfortable room people can use for watching television and other activities.”

In addition to offering a healthy size, the area often links indoor and outdoor space. Shumate notes that many designs flow to a wide exterior deck for seasonal entertaining, while a key feature Pruitt incorporates is openness to the kitchen, allowing people to interact simultaneously while in the two areas.

Again, lighting is a key element. Coulter suggests such sources as expansive windows, patio or French doors, transoms and skylights.

7. Putting in extra baths and/or updating existing ones.

In older homes, one bath may be the standard. Families often opt to fit additional ones into hall space and closets while rearranging the flow of old baths, adding tile and changing fixtures.

8. Designing a home office. As more people choose to work at home, the call is increasing for efficient offices, usually situated on the first floor.

“They don’t have to be big, most are no more than 100 to 150 square feet,” says Coulter. The area can be set aside in either new additions or nooks and crannies of existing space. “With today’s technology, the thing to keep in mind is outfitting for computer hookups, modems, office communications networks and built-ins.”

9. Shaping First Floor Suites and Special Needs Areas. Shumate sees three housing trends in this category. There are owners who plan for their senior years by designing one-floor living, others who incorporate a “universal” design for lifetime ease via overwide doors, lever handles and maintenance-free exteriors, and residents who designate private quarters for elderly parents or returning children.

Attic magic. Space at the top of the house is cozy and inviting once the work is done.

He also finds a demand for garages with bonus or work rooms attached, and the ever-popular and old-fashioned sun room.

10. Giving the whole house an update. “This means renovating areas throughout the house to bring it up to current codes and expectations in lighting, receptacles, plumbing, floor refinishing, closet storage and so forth,” says Pruitt.

In addition, McFadyen is often called on for such modern improvement strategies as adding vinyl to the exterior and wrapping windows for heat retention.

The bottom line: Remodeling makes anything possible. The result is strictly personal.

“Where most new homes are ‘spec’ homes, remodeling projects are custom designed and built to meet a particular client’s needs and desires,” points out Pruitt.

“Dollar for dollar, the price of remodeling per square foot is far lower than the price of a newly constructed home, especially when you consider most older homes have nine- or 10-foot ceilings, large ornate moldings, solid wood doors and other features that are cost-prohibitive in the average new home.”