Take all the proper steps when remodeling

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Don and Mary Jane Hovis finally took the plunge last fall, deciding to remodel the Summitview Avenue home they've owned for more than two decades.

The retired couple had talked about it for a couple of years, visiting new-home tours annually and watching home improvement television programs for design ideas.

They had considered buying a different home, but what they looked at needed upgrading or was outside their price range.

Today, they are in the midst of a three-month project to expand their master suite and upgrade the kitchen where counter space had been next to nonexistent.

When it's all done, they will have an enlarged master suite, a powder room, a new kitchen with an island, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a dining area and a panoramic view of Mount Adams from the new kitchen sink.

They made the decision after touring the new Moxee home of Brice Baxter, owner of Baxter Construction.

Impressed by what they saw, they hired Baxter to perform the work, which is scheduled to be on display at this year's Tour of Remodeled Homes in May.

Don Hovis, 66, retired after 30 years with Yakima Federal Savings and Loan of Yakima, and 57-year-old Mary Jane, a retired college instructor and former small business owner, advise those considering a remodel to know the contractor, know ahead of time what's wanted, and avoid the temptations that can inflate costs.

"You can easily go over your budget. A few little things add up," she said.

Baxter and Jim Thomas, owner of J.L. Thomas Construction, say Yakima remains an active remodeling market in the face of the national economic downturn.

Baxter, 38, said he had to add five people to his current 21-person crew late last year to keep up with the demand.

"People are spending money to remodel because it is more cost effective," he said. "They don't have to worry about obtaining a loan."

Kitchen remodels and master suite upgrades to add walk-in tile showers, tile floors and granite countertops remain popular remodeling jobs, according to Baxter, who has operated his company for 15 years.

The local trend isn't being repeated across the country, however. The National Association of Home Builders' fourth quarter remodeling index found remodelers nationwide are more pessimistic about market demand for current and future residential remodeling.

Kelly Mack, communications manager for the association's remodelers section, said remodeling tends to track the trend in new home construction, which is struggling.

"We keep hearing financing is a problem and people are reluctant to spend their cash," she said.

Baxter and Thomas recommend homeowners use a design-build concept, employing an architect to work with the contractor to design the project. The concept results in blueprints that contractors use in submitting bids on the project.

The Hovises decided to take that route. They also hired an interior decorator to help them pick color schemes and products.

They have run into the types of things one will find in an older home -- multiple layers of flooring, false ceilings and other issues.

But none have created the kinds of problems that can blow a budget out of the water.

******

Through it all, communication has been a key element.

Baxter said the biggest complaint he hears is that contractors don't return phone calls.

"It's very important to stay in touch with the customer. I walk through everything that will happen that week and what days we will be there," he said. "The customer can be confident about what will happen."

Thomas encourages customers to mention items they would like to see changed while the job is going on, not after.

"What we want to hear at the end of a project is 'I'm glad I did that,' and not 'I wish I had done that.'"

The Hovises had a good idea of what to expect. A few years ago, they remodeled the second floor of their home. That's where they are living while the work progresses on the main floor.

It's also given the couple a chance to do some of the more nontechnical aspects of the work, something Baxter said he offers his clients.

"If you are willing to put in sweat equity, that will be a benefit," he said.

Homeowners can save some money by performing end-of-workday cleanup of the job site. They also can tear out carpets that are being replaced or remove old drywall.

Don Hovis said they saved some money by agreeing to dig the trench for a sewer line from the new powder room that will be near their front door.

Baxter said he believes the biggest factor in a successful remodeling project is rapport and confidence in the builder selected to perform the work. He urges homeowners to not use price as the primary determining factor when selecting a contractor.

The upcoming Tour of Remodeled Homes is a good place for homeowners to start to see the type of workmanship that local contractors can offer and get ideas of what other homeowners have done.

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.

Steps to a successful remodel

Whether you're adding an addition or remodeling an existing space, local builders recommend a series of steps:

* Make sure you qualify for a loan.

* Hire an architect and have blueprints drawn up that can be used to seek bids from contractors.

* Make sure your contractor is bonded, licensed and insured. Homeowners are liable if an accident occurs on a job where an unlicensed contractor is used.

* Talk to friends and acquaintances to find out about their experience with contractors they have employed.

* Ask the contractor for references from previous clients.

* A contract is a must for the protection of both parties. Clients should review the document carefully.

* Keep in close contact with your contractor and/or job supervisors during the project.