Thank goodness for kitchens and baths. If it weren’t for these two design- and craft-intensive rooms in the house, custom builders and architects would find themselves in even worse straits in this economy. In the best of times, large kitchen remodels easily ballooned to $500,000 jobs. In the worst of times, it remains difficult for homeowners to deny themselves what they really want in this hardworking hub of the house. Many of you who were accustomed to only new-construction projects found a measure of refuge in remodeling these spaces.
Owners are certainly wary of over-improving their houses nowadays, given the nationwide equity plunge. But they also realize that if they plan to sell when conditions improve, poorly functioning, outmoded kitchens and baths will hold them back. According to REMODELING magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report,” only siding and window replacements recoup more of their cost than an upscale kitchen or bath refresh. But what the report doesn’t explore is the impact stale versions of those rooms have on the speed of the home sale or the price it attracts from buyers.
If owners plan to stay put for a while (by choice or economic circumstances), they tend to believe they deserve kitchens and baths that delight the spirits. Talented custom home professionals can achieve this goal, but not without some pain and suffering. What few clients understand is why materials and labor in these rooms cost so much and why completing the projects takes so long. As we know, kitchen remodels are a special vortex of resources, requiring hundreds of decisions and multiple trades. So it’s extremely important to prepare your customers for the demands on their time, budget, and patience—particularly if they’re staying in place during construction. And your team must stay on top of every aspect of the job, so the time line doesn’t bloat unnecessarily. Did you figure the opening correctly for that in-wall cappuccino maker? Did you order that custom dishwasher panel early enough? Did your tile contractor pick up the right color-matched caulk for the backsplash? So many details mean so many potential land mines in your client relationship.
Yes, thank goodness for kitchens and baths. But who won’t breathe a sigh of relief when the market returns for other, less daunting custom home projects? Like building an entirely new house from scratch.
Email: cconroy@hanleywood.com
