Model Remodelers
Certainly, return on investment remains a crucial consideration when making remodeling decisions. But as homes have increasingly become private retreats from a turbulent world, more folks are opting to listen to their hearts as well.
"It used to be all about making money," says Larry Murr, owner of Lawrence Murr Remodeling. "Now it's more of a lifestyle decision. People aren't moving as often. They're saying, 'I like my neighborhood; I want to turn the home I already have into my dream home.'"
In addition to the ascendancy of "cocooning"-a pop-culture buzzword that essentially means we're all becoming homebodies-remodeling in Jacksonville is bolstered by the fact that close-in land is getting scarce, and new development is stretching into surrounding counties.
Nice as they are, those big master-planned communities dotting previously rural expanses simply aren't for everyone. Factor in continued low interest rates and high appreciation-meaning that many longtime homeowners have become equity-rich-and you've got all the ingredients for a booming remodeling market.
Jacksonville, Murr notes, has the added advantage of a huge inventory of very old homes in desirable neighborhoods such as San Marco, Riverside/Avondale and San Jose, among other prestigious addresses.
Indeed, no other major Florida city has such an impressive and eclectic collection of vintage charmers just waiting to be restored to their Gilded Age glory. And many of those ubiquitous Mediterranean-style subdivisions built in the 1980s are now starting to show their age, creating yet more opportunities for remodelers to ply their trade.
But Jacksonville's remodeling resurgence is far from unique. In fact, remodeling is hotter than ever across the country.
"We expect remodeling to remain on the upswing," says David Seiders, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders.
NAHB's Remodeling Market Index, based upon a quarterly survey of 500 remodelers nationwide, stood at a solid 51.8 in the third quarter of 2004, the most recent period for which results are available. Any reading over 50 indicates growth.
More impressive, the future expectations index stood at 52.4-with the Southern part of the country notching a scorching 57.
What kinds of remodeling jobs are most popular among homeowners?
The RMI revealed that kitchen and bathroom rehabs continue to top the list, followed by additions and whole-house makeovers. By a wide margin, remodelers pegged granite countertops as the most popular single feature requested by clients.
Experts say bathroom and kitchen renovations offer the best return, generally recouping up to 90 percent of their cost within five years. However, Murr and others say that some jobs can instantly increase home values by as much or more than the cost of the improvements.
"It depends on the neighborhood and the specifics of the job," says Murr. "With remodeling, as a rule, you'll make your money back if you stay five years. But I've seen cases where appraisals have come back immediately at 100 percent of what was spent."
So how do you choose a remodeler?
The generally accepted edict that you should request three bids for any job isn't always applicable in remodeling, say local experts, because so many variables are involved.
Various remodeling certifications, described in the sidebar at the bottom of the page, are pluses, says Murr. But few Northeast Florida remodelers hold them, mainly because some of the required courses have not yet been offered here.
Fortunately for consumers, Florida's requirements for obtaining a contractor's license are more stringent than those in many states. So even if a remodeler has not obtained industry-specific certifications, the rigorous state licensing process-which includes a 19-hour exam-offers some assurance of competence.
"The various certification programs are just now becoming popular," says Murr, who holds both Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designations. "I'm sure they'll eventually become more common here as people read about them in consumer magazines and start to ask about them."
The Remodelors Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association recommends that in addition to checking references, consumers should contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are unresolved complaints against the remodeler under consideration.
Also contact Florida's contractor licensing agency and state and local building inspectors to verify that the remodeler has the appropriate licenses and a clean record.
And insist upon seeing a list of building material suppliers. Since most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies, find out if the remodeler has an account or operates on a COD basis.
What should you expect to spend?
There are so many variables involved in even the simplest remodeling job that guesswork is always hazardous.
"We put together a 20-page estimate for most jobs," says Tommy Davis, vice president of the Turnage Company. "It's time consuming and detailed. So there's really no rule of thumb about what a remodeling job should cost per square foot. It depends on so many things, including finishes and the degree of difficulty involved."
Dale Crisp, owner of Kendale Design/Build, recalls being asked to remodel a kitchen that turned out to be made of poured concrete.
"It had been built back in the Cold War and was a bomb shelter," Crisp says. "That obviously presented a set of challenges. But as a rule, the unknowns are pretty limited. The client shouldn't be caught unaware if the contractor has done his homework."
Still, when pressed, some remodelers will reveal a range in which most of their jobs fall-usually between $200 and $250 per square foot of remodeled space. However, they say, some jobs are more and some are less.
When a lending institution is financing remodeling work, the remodeler is typically paid in biweekly or monthly draws. Other times, the remodeler may be paid as specific milestones in the project are reached. In any case, the contract between the remodeler and the homeowner should specify the payment schedule.
The important thing, experts say, is to make certain you don't spend more than you'll ever recoup. Check with a realtor and find out what kind of prices comparable homes are fetching, and scale your project accordingly.
Even if you have no plans to move in the foreseeable future and are interested only in enhancing your personal comfort, there's no need to spend beyond what the neighborhood will ever support in terms of increased value.
Just remember: In the battle between the head and the heart, a rout on either side will likely leave you with less-or more-than you really wanted.
CERTIFICATION 101
In addition to being licensed by the state as contractors, some professional remodelers have completed specialized training to earn the designation Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) or Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).
CGR certification requires that graduates meet prescribed standards of business practice, have proven track records of successful project management, complete a comprehensive training curriculum and pledge to uphold the program's rigorous code of ethics.
Graduates of the CGR program must also meet recertification criteria every three years. Requirements include attendance at remodeling industry trade shows, business-related seminars and continuing education workshops, proof of insurance and letters of recommendation from suppliers and financial institutions.
CAPS certification encompasses the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry-home modifications for aging-in-place.
Aging-in-place means living in one's home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or physical disabilities. It offers homeowners the reassurance of being able to call a house a home for a lifetime.
The Remodelors Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association is collaborating with the NAHB Seniors Housing Center, NAHB Research Center and the AARP to bring the CAPS program to Jacksonville.
NEFBA is not currently offering CGR courses, but may in the future. In the meantime, local remodelers wishing to receive CAPS certification may attend courses at other builder associations and at national and regional conventions.
For more information about selecting a remodeler, call NEFBA at (407) 725-4355, ext. 229, or email ttaylor@nefba.com.
2004 FIRST COAST REMODELERS AWARDS
Following are winners of the 2004 First Coast Remodelers Awards, presented by the Remodelors Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association:
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION OVER $250,000
Winner: The Turnage Company
Runner-up: Lawrence Murr Remodeling
KITCHEN RENOVATION UNDER $50,000
Winner: Lawrence Murr Remodeling
Runner-up: Finial Custom Builders
KITCHEN RENOVATION OVER $50,000
Winner: The Turnage Company
Runner-up: Lawrence Murr Remodeling
BATHROOM RENOVATION UNDER $30,000
Winner: Lawrence Murr Remodeling
Runner-up: Lawrence Murr Remodeling
BATHROOM RENOVATION OVER $30,000
Winner: The Turnage Company
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN/BUILD UNDER $50,000
Winner: Finial Custom Builders
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN/BUILD $50,000-$150,000
Winner: Finial Custom Builders
Runner-up: Finial Custom Builders
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN/BUILD OVER $250,000
Winner: The Turnage Company
Runner-up: The Turnage Company
COMMERCIAL ADDITION OR RENOVATION
Winner: The Turnage Company
Runner-up: The Turnage Company
CUSTOM ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
Winner: Finial Custom Builders
OUTBUILDINGS
Winner: The Turnage Company
Runner-up: Finial Custom Builders