Editor’s Note: Stu Garlington, president, Towne Craft Builders & Remodelers, (301) 737-5400 is a member of the National Association of Home Builders. Through this affiliation, Towne Craft is able to share the following suggestions and tips for anyone considering a home remodeling project in either St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties. More local remodeling ideas can be viewed at: http://www.townecraftbuilders.com/home_remodeling.html.   

In a Down Economy, Think Long Term Capital Gains, Think Remodeling

Before you spend your hard-earned dollars, however, make sure that the changes you make now will have longer-term benefits for you when you look to sell your home in the future. 

You should find out what features are standard for homes in your neighborhood. If you only have one bathroom, but most of the other homes average two or more, you will want to bring your house up to that standard. On the flipside, do not make changes to your house that are too extravagant or out-of-place for your neighborhood. 

Make sure you are not making changes that will turn off prospective buyers. Keep in mind what future home buyers would like to see in their next home. It is often wiser to add an additional bathroom or bedroom rather than a sauna for example which can be costly and will not necessarily be a priority for anyone else.

The size and cost of your project matter as well. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University advises that smaller or midrange jobs overall will tend to recover a higher percentage of their cost than larger, higher-end projects.

Maintenance-related projects, such as siding and window replacement, are especially popular because they are repairs that are seen as needed, but can also help improve curb appeal at fairly low costs in relation to other projects.

Examples of this type of home improvement project can be found by visiting http://www.townecraftbuilders.com/home-improvement-projects.html.

Remodeling Costs with Highest Financial Rewards

The top-ten midrange projects cited in Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report” that provide the highest percentage return are:

1. Deck Addition (wood)  -                         81.8 percent 
2. Siding Replacement (vinyl) -                   80.7 percent 
3. Minor Kitchen Remodel -                        79.5 percent
4. Window Replacement (wood) -              77.7 percent 
5. Window Replacement (vinyl) -                77.2 percent 
6. Major Kitchen Remodel -                        76.0 percent 
7. Bathroom Remodel -                             74.6 percent 
8. Attic Bedroom -                                                 73.8 percent
9. Deck Addition (composite) -                  73.7 percent 
10. Basement Remodel -                             72.9 percent

These numbers represent the national average and percentages may vary in southern Maryland. To get information on projects that are the best investment for your area, check out the Remodeling magazine’s “2008-2009 Cost vs. Value Report” published by Hanley Wood online at www.costvsvalue.com.

Or contact Stu Garlington now requesting a free estimate on your proposed home remodeling objective. He can be reached either by calling (301) 737-5400 or visiting www.townecraftbuilders.com.