You like your neighborhood. You have a great commute. Your kids are in good schools and their friends live close by. You cringe, however, when you examine your house. It’s dated and cramped. You start to imagine what your house would be, if only . . .

“If only” is what remodeling is all about! Remodeling can:
• Add space: An addition with a new bedroom, bathroom or family room can ease family “traffic jams”. Potential additional space might be found in the attic or basement.
• Upgrade a kitchen or bath. New cabinets and fixtures can make those areas a pleasure to use and can add value when you sell.
• Get the best use out of the space you have. The way you live in your house has changed over the years and remodeling can make your existing space more efficient.
• Save you money. Today’s building products and systems are far more energy efficient. Even projects that add space may not add to heating and cooling bills.

Often remodeling can pay for itself. If your house is smaller or simpler than the rest of the neighborhood, bringing it up to date may increase its value enough to reflect most, or even all, of the cost of the improvement. When you compare the expense of moving with the cost of remodeling, you may find that remodeling is a more affordable way to get the house you really want. With remodeling, there is no real estate commission or moving costs to pay, and you don’t have the worries of selling your current home and starting over in a new neighborhood. A professional remodeler can help you decide whether or not remodeling makes sense for you.

Whoever plans your remodeling project will need lots of information that only you can supply. The process will go much more smoothly if you have a clear idea of what you want. Take time to assess your current house. What do you like or dislike about it, and why? Make sure to include everyone in the family in this process. Make a list of things to change, add or take away and rank each item on the list in order of priority.

A little research will assist you in finding solutions. Look in magazines that show new and remodeled homes and save the pictures that appeal to you. Start a separate file for each area to be remodeled. These pictures will give your remodeler a good feel for your tastes and preferences. Take a tour of remodeled homes in your community. Many homeowners would be pleased to show off their “new” homes and if you see great craftsmanship you can find out who did the work! Home shows are also a great place to gather information about new products and services. Don’t worry if you don’t come up with the perfect solution for your house and don’t try to decide every detail ahead of time. Your designer and remodeler will have a wealth of experience to draw upon for ideas and can provide information about products that will influence your decisions