Remodeling to put down roots

CTW FEATURES

Dust, noise and living in semi-chaos is all part of the price of home renovations. Now, though, it won’t be as irritating for many owners.

That’s because Americans are now staying in their home longer, a median of 13 years, three years more than they did a decade ago.

First-time buyers are older than in previous generations, and “have a longer time frame,” says Abbe Will of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Plus, legions of baby boomers are making practical changes to safely age in their home.

When the remodeling is for your long-term comfort, you’re likely to put up with it easier than if you’re improving to interest a future buyer, notes Toby Israel, author of

“Some Place Like Home: Using Design Psychology to Create Ideal Places.”

The remodeling process is different, too, when it’s designed to allow you to stay, experts say. Consider these points:

Will this work?

Lots of added square footage may not be realistic. Building codes may forbid it, and “the higher cost to add square footage versus modifying the existing footprint” is often surprising, says Scottsdale, Arizona, architect Lindsay Cullum-colwell. Check with your municipal planning department to get references for architects and contractors familiar with codes. And, there may be options, Cullum-colwell adds. “We see a trend toward a smaller, more efficient footprint.”

What is possible?

Instead of expensive architectural plans, schematic drawings will help owners visualize if a particular renovation will be in sync with their plans, says Mary Cerrone, Pittsburgh architect. A common misconception among owners, says Cullum-colwell, “is that they shouldn’t tell the architect or contractor their real budget.”

What’s the longterm cost?

More durable materials can be more expensive, but can be the practical choice for owners who don’t want to replace in the short-term, or perform lots of maintenance, Cerrone notes.