April 2000
In home improvement, there are many contributing factors for both good and bad news. Some will embrace the changes and enhancements, while others will cringe, as more products are available from which to choose.
The good news is more (my head is spinning from so many more) improved products, new eye catching colors, new technology, giving us more time for what we enjoy and less time for home maintenance. Amen! Corian has announced 12 more exciting colors for 2000, bringing their full line to over 80 from Glacier White to Rain Forest. There are more sizes in tub and shower surrounds (1/4" solid material to renew your tub or shower areas), more kitchen and bath sinkbowls integrated into countertops for an easy to clean seamless look. Ceramic tile is available in larger sizes (13" x 17") to lessen grout lines, absolutely beautiful and colorful to enhance new bathrooms. More Kohler whirlpools are available for standard 5’ tub replacement with matching commodes and sinkbowls in new colors such as Sandbar and Sunlight with Rousillon red accent pieces. The standard hardware on a Pella casement window is now stainless steel with a foldaway crank that does not interfere with blinds or drapes. Their special size windows were reduced in cost this year. Andersen has improved their casement window as well and both Pella and Andersen offer more standard sizes than ever to accommodate remodeling projects. Traco windows offers "titanium low-e" glass. I haven’t a clue what this is (need to find out); I have a titanium credit card – so it must be the newest thing!! Kitchens take on a new look with stainless appliances (wasn't that a new look many years ago?) and more "professional" stoves, sinks equipped with Kohler ProMaster kitchen faucets. There are now dishwashers and ovens with 2 separately functional spaces to wash or bake "half a load". Coordinate the look with stainless undermount sinks in a Corian top with a Questech metal accent strip in your kitchen backsplash (comes in a gorgeous leaf pattern as well as geometric designs) and you have a look your neighbors would die for! Polished brass faucets and sink drains now carry a lifetime warranty despite what we throw down the drain. Outside fence, decks and railings are made from recycled products into plastic lumber. Manufacturers are applying better technology, not necessarily something you can see – but advancements that will extend the life of your products. So many new products…
The bad news is all this will cost you more! Prices are up and inventory is dwindling. With unemployment so low and construction projects so numerous (convention centers, stadiums, new home construction, home remodeling projects resulting from low equity rates) carpenters and helpers are in short supply. Homebuilders tell us carpenters are stolen right off the job site with promises of higher wages. Floor installers are being lured to the union jobs, leaving the residential market with installation delays. Summer helpers are a thing of the past, particularly in jobs where workers must exert physical energy. (Read into that what you like – I have my own opinions!) Business owners are forced to sweeten the pie to hold onto their staff – offering more benefits and increased wages. Along with limited workforce comes the inability to grow the business, so more will specialize in certain areas and eliminate the labor-intensive jobs. Some well known roofers don’t even answer their phones and if they do, generally report a lengthy wait. The "big boxes" have few knowledgeable staff to answer questions for the do it yourself market. Installers are sometimes "stock boys" with little or no training. Product delays are increasing. The higher gasoline prices have cabinet manufacturers charging more to get their goods to market; the refuse haulers have increased rates to remove the debris. Although the lumber supply is not diminishing, the ability to move it to the mills is greatly restricted. Lumber is twice as expensive as it was 10 years ago with costs still expected to increase sharply. All in all, the general public will pay more for the skilled professions. Despite all the bad news, remodeling is up and keeping us extremely busy.
Now, more than ever, is the need to be certain that reliable, well-established professionals do your work. Don’t fall prey to the shoddy work of "fly by nights". Make certain you have detailed, written contracts with the cost and scope of work included. Be ready to pay up to a 30% deposit (never the full amount) to get on their schedule and your products ordered with progress payments as the work continues. Always hold out approximately 10% until you thoroughly inspect the job.
Improving your home and surroundings is a very rewarding experience (though sometimes messy), something you should be proud of, something that will make your largest investment more valuable, make life more comfortable and pleasing, something you owe yourself.
Sue Clark, Clark Construction
April 2000