This Old House

Michael and Beth Spraggins knew when they moved back to Orlando from Charlotte, N.C., they would be returning to a remodeling project.

They wanted to live on Spring Lake Street in what locals sometimes call the Orlando Country Club area. No lots were available, though, so their only choice was to buy an older home and fix it up.

"We had no interest in being out in a subdivision somewhere," says Michael Spraggins. "We wanted to be in a neighborhood in town."

So they bought a 1920s-era Spanish colonial home, hired Orlando remodeling contractor Victor Farina and set to work. All across Central Florida-indeed, all across the nation-other homebuyers are doing the same thing.

Remodeling currently accounts for about 40 percent of all residential construction and improvement spending, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

"We expect the trend to remain on the upswing," says David Seiders, chief economist for the NAHB. Seiders says a multi-year run-up in home values, combined with historically low interest rates, has made it easy to finance home improvements.

And Central Florida reflects the national picture, say local remodeling professionals.

"Remodeling is definitely big right now," says Rick Caccavello, owner of Central Kitchen and Bath in Winter Park. "A lot of homeowners are complaining they can't get anyone to come out and give them the time of day. Everyone is too busy." Caccavello says he expects the trend to grow to the point where remodeling even outpaces new construction as buildable land becomes more scarce.

Almost all remodeling jobs start for the same basic reason: homeowners need or want more from their homes, but they don't want to move. They like their neighborhoods and they like their neighbors.

"Everything's got to do with location," says Farina, president of Farina and Sons. "And with remodeling, you can still get a huge bang for the dollar. Plus, in the older areas, you don't have homeowner association fees and you have a say in what you want your home to look like instead of being restricted by association rules."

Remodeling can offer numerous benefits to homeowners who want to stay put: adding more space, improving energy efficiency, increasing aesthetic appeal and boosting resale value.

But remodeling an older home can be a huge project. The Spraggins didn't add to the size of their four-bedroom, 6,100-square-foot home, but "we redid every inch of the surface inside and out," Spraggins says.

They updated the electrical system, added insulation, changed the flooring and painted. They replastered, added new lighting and even installed new landscaping. Farina offered guidance as the couple worked to maintain the original style and feel of the home.

"It was a very dark home, it had very little natural light," Farina says. "The finishes were a very heavy texture, very tired, and the trim pieces were worn out. We added windows to the turret to add more light."

The Spraggins weren't afraid of remodeling; they were old hands at it. But, Spraggins says, "This is our biggest-and our last."

Their project is a good example of what's happening throughout Central Florida's most established neighborhoods, particularly in Winter Park.

"Anywhere that has the old Winter Park charm, you'll find homes on every street that are being remodeled," Caccavello says. But Farina adds that he and his colleagues are also working on projects in Conway, Delaney Park, College Park, Maitland and older areas of Winderemere.

Homeowners often are prompted to remodel because they need more space to accommodate a growing family. But, Farina says, no longer are they "just looking just for (additional) space only."

Years ago homeowners often took the quick fix by converting their garages into extra rooms. Now, however, many homeowners are requesting whole-house renovations with additions.

Today's homeowners also are more likely to think about the future, experts say. And while no remodeling project will guarantee a full return on investment, kitchens and bathrooms are generally the best places to spend your remodeling dollars, according to the Remodelors Council of the National Association of Home Builders.

That's because homeowners can enjoy the upgrades now. Then when it's time to sell, they're likely to more than recoup their investment. Of course, the kitchen is also going to be the most expensive part of any remodeling project. The price tag can range from $30,000 to $50,000 just for cabinets, Caccavello says.

"We can still do a budget-minded kitchen if somebody is looking for that, but if the people that come in have some flexibility in their budget and they're excited about some of the new things that come along, we can do something special," he says.

Once they decide to renovate their kitchens, homeowners have a number of choices to make, experts say. The most spectacular kitchens will feature focal points, or what Caccavello calls "impact areas."

"The hood surround is one of the biggest," he says. "That's one thing that really gets dressed up." Homeowners are charmed by hood surrounds that feature decorative tiles, architectural details and niches, he notes.

A kitchen island is another example. It's not a new concept, but today's islands are roomier and more functional. They may contain microwaves, refrigerator drawers or prep sinks. And they probably have cubbies for cookbooks, veggies and accessories.

Frequently, the island is built to accommodate seating that allows family members or guests to keep the cook company during meal preparation. Plus, it easily becomes a focal point when designed with materials and colors that set it apart from the main cabinets.

A more recent trend is doing away with upper cabinets and relocating what was once stored there, such as dishes and glassware, in the base cabinets. That trend has grown because kitchens now tend to be open to family rooms. Therefore, homeowners want them to look inviting and less, well, kitchenlike. "You want it to be beautiful," Caccavello says.

Consequently, manufacturers are introducing components for organizing base cabinets, such as pullout shelves, pegboards systems and Tupperware organizers.

To make up for the loss of upper cabinet storage, a pantry, perhaps even a hidden pantry, can be integrated into the design. Also big are hidden or integrated appliances, which are covered with wood panels to match cabinets.

No longer are kitchens just walls of cabinets with a functional work triangle. "You sculpt a kitchen now," Caccavello says.

But kitchen remodeling can be especially disruptive, especially if you're living in the home while the project is under way. Jack McGrath of Jonathan McGrath Construction often suggests that his clients move out during the work. But when a temporary move isn't practical of feasible, McGrath has a solution.

"Jack can get pretty creative," says his wife and business partner Marion. "Usually, he finds a place for family members to have a small table, a refrigerator, a microwave and a hot plate. But we tell our clients up front that these are custom jobs, and they have to be patient. They adapt."

Two more hot trends in today's remodeling market are green building and aging in place.

Savvy homeowners are more educated about energy efficiency and eco-friendly materials, and some want to incorporate "green" when it's feasible, says Orlando remodeling contractor Stephen Gidus of PSG Construction.

Gidus says that homeowners should, and sometimes do, plan for the future by requesting features such as grab bars in bathrooms and wider hallways that will allow them to live at home independently as they age.

Whether updating their existing homes or buying fixer-uppers in great neighborhoods, Central Florida homeowners are keeping the remodeling market humming. And as new subdivisions continue to swallow available land and new development is pushed further from the urban core, the trend can only increase.

"Remodeling is huge now, but it's going to continue to grow to where it's going to top new construction," Caccavello says.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

You want to hire a remodeler, but where do you begin? The best place to start is the Remodelors Council of the Home Builders Association of Mid-Florida.

Council membership is no guarantee of a quality job, of course. But remodelers who are active in trade and professional associations at least meet membership standards, are interested in enhancing overall professionalism in the industry, and are likely up to date on the latest trends and techniques.

Also ask friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and others who have remodeled. Likewise, independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors, local lenders and insurance professionals are good sources of information.

Once you've developed a list of potential remodelers, check with the local Better Business Bureau. Ask if they have had any complaints about the remodeler, and if they have, whether or not those complaints were resolved satisfactorily.

Also check with the state's licensing agency to verify that the remodeler has the appropriate licenses and registrations. Never use an unlicensed contractor. Here are some other tips on selecting a remodeler. Does he or she:

• Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, personal phone number, fax number, and a cell phone, pager or voice-messaging system? You will want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily, especially at critical times.
• Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries? Ask for a copy of the remodeler's insurance certificates so you can be sure you won't be liable for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.
• Have an established presence in the community? How long has the company been in business under this name? Longevity suggests financial stability.
• Have a track record of successful projects similar to one you're planning?
• Pay bills on time? Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.

Personal rapport is also important. Does the remodeler listen to and understand your needs? When discussing your written priorities, does the remodeler show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget? After all, the remodeler will be like a member of the family for an extended period of time. So you need to make sure that he or she is someone you trust and feel comfortable with. See below for a list of Remodelors Council members or call the HBA of Metro Orlando at (407) 629-9242 for more details.

Metro Orlando Remodelors Council

Following are members of the Remodelors Council of the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando. For more information, call the HBA at (407) 629-9242.

Annular Building Group, (321) 231-0330
Butler & Butler, (407) 376-3258
College Park Construction, (407) 896-1063
Donaldson Renovations, (407) 629-4364
Farina & Sons, (407) 849-1731
Hardwick General Contracting, (407) 297-7636
James M. Krantz Construction, (407) 857-8669
JLM Design & Remodeling, (407) 682-5225
Jonathan McGrath Construction, (407) 260-8077
JTI Builders, (407) 767-6912
Kancor Construction, (407) 841-1500
Kish Builders, (407) 297-0510
Nautilus Homes of Central Florida, (407) 865-9125
Phil Kean Designs, (407) 599-3922
PSG Construction, (407) 628-9660
R. Paul Construction, (407) 425-2525
Thompson Construction Group, (407) 282-3090