ConstructionDeal.com Update

ConstructionDeal.com 2009 Renovation Trends
The condition of the economy has really halted many homeowner remodeling plans. Everyone has been affected and very few are thinking about major renovations, like an expensive new kitchen or a swimming pool.

Once the economy strengthens and consumer confidence picks up again, there will be some new trends when it comes to the home. The 2009 stimulus package recently signed into law will help steer a lot of people toward more green renovation, green remodeling, energy-saving home repairs and improvements, and ways to help save more money.

For many homeowners, that trend has already started. A long winter has been high utility bills. Many are already coming to our site to submit requests for window replacement, solar panel and wind turbine installations, as well as home energy audits.

Another trend could be the increase in home additions and sunroom additions. Quite a few people are in houses they couldn't sell if they had to. Or that the house might actually be worth less than they owe. This means a lot of people across the country will not be "trading up" to a newer, larger, or just a different house. They'll be staying put.

To stay put, many are planning to add on. Give themselves more room to live, more room for storage, more room for kids moving back in. A room addition will help or even a huge project like a second story addition will practically create a whole new house. Finding the funds to finance these projects will not be as easy but there should be a loosening of credit as banks realize they're not going to make any money without charging fees and earning interest.

Back to the green renovation trend... It's probably a bad idea to even label it as being green. So many people have politicized "Green" that in some circles, it could be considered a four-letter word. Let's say the trend will be energy and money saving. The green will be more cash savings.

People will be making changes to their home that will help their wallet as well as their planet. They've been wasting food so they'll try composting. They've been wasting water so they'll install low-flow shower heads. They've been wasting heat and air conditioned air so they'll put in insulation and triple-paned windows. They've been wasting electricity so they'll install a programmable thermostat and switch to a Energy Star washer and dryer.

The economy has soured and many homeowners will continue to do a lot of the work themselves. Others will find local contractors to help with their installations and home repairs. One trend may even come out of all this will be that more and more people may barter for services. A mini economy could spring up that has homeowners and small business owners trading their expertise for the services of another. Or trading a car or motorcycle for services. It's possible in any economy but more so these days.

Even with people who have plenty of money and job security, the trends for the American homeowner have shifted away from the extravagant. Gone, for a while, are the $80,000 kitchens and the $75,000 heated swimming pools. For most, they'll make due with what they have and hope for few, if any, major home repairs. Many more are tired of the $400 a month electric bill and the lack of room. They'll make changes but changes that increase their home value and help them live a better life.

For the services I've mentioned in this post, if you need to find any local contractors to help you, I've set up a set of links so you can submit a request. Submitting through ConstructionDeal.com works like this:

• Get 4 quotes from local contractors
• There's no cost
• There's no obligation
• It saves you time - contractors call you
• It saves you money - multiple quotes lets you pick the best price

Ready to get started with your home renovation plans for 2009?

1. Get quotes from window replacement companies
2. Get quotes from solar panel and wind turbine installers
3. Get quotes from insulation contractors
4. Get quotes from home energy auditors
5. Get quotes from air conditioning companies
6. Get quotes from heating contractors
7. Get quotes from home addition contractors
8. Get quotes from green remodelers

Labels: Home Trends, Remodeling Trends, Renovation Trends

Always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in new trends, here at ConstructionDeal.com, we came upon the real estate magazine Realtor. The online site has compiled some hot new trends for this year when it comes to renovating the home. The article's author spoke with several designers about what to expect in 2008:

Comfort Colors Are In

As homeowners seek solace in their homes, natural shades have become more popular. Muted earth tones are being used throughout the home, on walls, floors, and even cabinetry. Green, particularly a soft sage color, has become a popular choice, especially as an accent color on kitchen cabinets.

Flooring and countertop choices also are muted; the days of highly polished granite or porcelain tile are over. Instead, honed granite and soapstone, as well as quartz countertops with matte finishes, are becoming de rigueur.

Kitchens Are Expanding

The kitchen has evolved over time from a place to prepare and eat meals to the focal point of a home. Today, kitchens are used as gathering places and a place for doing homework and crafts, paying bills, and surfing the Internet—and kitchen design is now reflecting that usage. Computer desks, huge islands, fireplaces, and comfortable seating areas are frequent choices in kitchen remodels.

Maple and hickory cabinets are catching up to cherry wood in popularity, and the simple, sleek lines of Shaker, Mission, and Asian design can be seen throughout the kitchen. Darker finishes are a frequent choice for cabinets. Merlot—a deep burgundy color—has become quite popular, as has black.

While homeowners still prefer a sleek, clean look in the kitchen, elegant touches, such as farmhouse sinks or Victorian faucets, add class and individuality.

Baths Are Getting More Luxurious

Like kitchens, bathrooms—particularly master bathrooms—are expanding. "Baths are becoming like a luxurious oasis where people can go and retreat," says ASID's Snyder.

Homeowners are replacing standard shower heads with oversized "rain" shower heads, and those doing more extensive remodels are adding showers with body sprays, steam showers, solid surface shower walls, and heated tile floors. Traditional-styled cabinetry, made to look like freestanding furniture with legs, is popular as well.

No statistics are available yet to track the home urinal trend, but maybe people are looking for more fixtures to fill their ever-growing bathrooms. Or maybe installing a home urinal is the ultimate way for men to avoid having to put the seat down.

How Big Is Your Laundry Room?

Laundry rooms are becoming a status symbol these days. No longer isolated in a dark corner of the basement, laundry rooms are now decked out with the best appliances and filled with color. That's because families are spending more time in their ultra-large laundry rooms, doing messy chores, crafts, and gardening projects there in addition to washing, drying, and ironing.

Specialty Rooms to Fit Every Need

As families spend more time at home, homes are evolving to meet the specific needs of every family member. Rooms such as wine cellars, media rooms, libraries, sewing rooms, meditation rooms, and even personal beauty salons and ballet studios are increasing in popularity, according to ASID. These specialty rooms are being added to homes through remodeling or as options made by purchasers of new homes.

Green Living

Solar power has come a long way in the last 20 years. The clunky panels that used to turn off homeowners interested in aesthetics are long gone, and they've been replaced by sleek integrated solar systems capable of handling all the power needs of a house.

The demographics of solar technology have changed as well. Today, there is a new generation of solar aficionados who are passionate about technology and preserving the environment. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 also have created interest in solar homes, as people seek to lead a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Solar technology is being integrated into new-home design—there are even entire new-home communities springing up with solar power as an available upgrade—but those who are remodeling also can add it easily.


Check out the whole article here for further details about the big new trends for your homes this year!

If you need to find a contractor for your home improvement project, look no further than ConstructionDeal.com. We're a fast, free, and easy way to find local renovation pros. There's no obligation, no commitment, and you get to choose how many bids you'd like to receive!

We help you get your project done!

Labels: Home Trends, Remodeling Trends

What's in store for the rest of the when it comes to Home Improvement, Remodeling, and Construction? Homes are aging (the average U.S. house is 30 years old) and, as interest rates continue to rise, many are renovating instead of relocating. Homeowners today want to modernize, expand, and keep their houses low maintenance.

As the baby boom generation moves into retirement age, many are demanding options as they "age-in-place" (staying at home and foregoing the retirement communities.) They desire to remain in their single family home as long as it is safe and comfortable. Younger generations are interested in expanding the size of their homes, adding technical goodies, and increasing property values with the latest products and materials.

- Kitchen Renovation and Bathroom Remodeling will still be Number One on everyone homeowners remodeling wish list. They want to expand the kitchen - it's the center of their home - or add or update a bathroom. It will be a big deal to re-do not only the tiles and counters in the bathroom, but also to add new amenities - spa tubs, steam showers, rain (overhead) shower heads, radiant heat, flat screen TVs behind two-way mirrors and more!

- Home Technology Upgrades: Home Security - closed circuit cameras, alarms, & safes; Home Theaters - stylish theater components with controllable lighting and sound; and Smart Homes - home automation products that control media, lighting, security, and temperature.

- Garage Improvements: homeowners are renovating garages or expanding existing ones to add workrooms that give plenty of storage with comfortable flooring.

- Home Restoration: returning the house to its original character - something that won't look dated in a few years. After many years of home flippers and home remodelers adding granite counters to every period of house, a home restoration can be in order to bring back and highlight the homes original architecture.

- "Specific Rooms" are hot: purpose-built rooms in new construction or current rooms that can be converted. Homeowners will want to add a library, home theater, gym, or wine cellar.

- Low Maintenance - everyone wants products and materials that are easy to clean, easy to fix, and easy to replace. This includes countertops, floors, windows, and appliances.

- Synthetic Materials - they are cheap, easy to maintain, and last longer so they won't have to be replaced anytime soon.

- Green - people will want more solar, biodegradable, and energy efficient materials and appliances. If you need to find a solar panel contractor or a green renovation contractor, we can help.

- Outdoor Kitchens - this is the huge trend. Moving the indoor outside by hiring an Outdoor Kitchen Builder. Homeowners know this is a great way to expand their home without having the added cost of the construction of new rooms. People want to bring it all outdoors in the summer: state-of-the-art grills and cook-tops, counters, sinks, fireplaces, wet bars, islands, and more.

Labels: Home Trends, Remodeling Trends, Renovation Trends