Richmond Magazine....

THE REALITIES OF RENOVATION:

CONFESSIONS OF A REFORMED RENOVATOR

Just call me Bob. . .as in Vila. I love working on my house. Whether it's simple painting, minor renovation, or major reconstruction, I always have an ongoing household project. I love the smell of paint in the morning, sawdust during the day, and "This Old House" reruns at night.

As a Fan dweller, I live in "this old house." In fact, that popular PBS show inspired me (and thousands of other Richmond area residents) to renovate. Though Bob Vila no longer hosts the show, his legacy lives on in old homes around the country.

In the book that resulted from the original show, Bob Vila said, "Our case history is supposed to give you distant early warnings about dangers ahead in order to prevent the horror show that can unnerve the unsuspecting, the inexperienced. We also chart the highs and lows in a long job, the satisfactions and the occasional panics, the lulls when nothing seems to be moving forward, and the wonderful moments when everything falls into place."

There's always a renovation tale to be told or heard. Everyone has a horror story about some recent project. As a reformed renovator, I have dozens of bad (and good) stories to relate.

But I wouldn't trade my semi-renovated old house for a any new house on the market today. Renovation is a remarkably rewarding experience. You can call me Bob.

In his excellent book, The Home Renovation Kit, Robert Irwin says, "If you can look at a run-down ruin of a property and in your mind's eye visualize the grand old lady of a home that it could be; if you can hardly wait to get your hands on hammer, saw, and screwdriver and get to work; if you relish living in a home that you've rehabilitated with your own hands, than I guarantee that, one way or another, you'll make a success of renovating." It just takes a few basics.

THE BASICS

Renovation is defined simply as improving your property in some way. This can mean a fresh coat of paint, room modernization, additions, and anything else that improves or changes the house.

The renovation project needs to justify the cost and time spent. It should increase the value of your home and increase your enjoyment of it. If it costs too much and takes too much time, energy, and frustration, it's a bad renovation project.

But my experience shows that renovation projects generally justify themselves. That's why my house seems to change with the seasons.

The basics of renovating involve: pursuing appropriate projects; estimating costs; financing (or not financing); using (or not using) experts; and completing the work successfully. Successful renovation comes with understanding the basics and pursuing the project intelligently.

APPROPRIATE PROJECTS

Almost anything goes when it comes to renovating. Robert Irwin says, "There are dozens and dozens of different things you may need to do to shape up your rehab house. But chances are that only a few of these are critical."

Critical things can include: fresh paint, improved landscaping, entryway work, kitchen improvements, bathroom improvements, basement or attic work, and entire additions. These things can all increase value and enjoyment. . .if done correctly.

Painting is probably the easiest (and one of the best) renovation projects. A new coat (or two) of paint looks and feels better.

My wife and I wanted to brighten up our small kitchen, so we chose a shade of yellow that would clearly make cooking conditions cheery. But a designer friend (Myrf Bowry, co-owner of the hot new Fan design shop, Esprit Decor) saw the color we had chosen and said our kitchen would look like a giant lemon. We toned down the color and avoided needing sunglasses while cooking.

New landscaping is a form of renovation few people consider. It's one of the easiest and quickest ways to improve a house. You can plant new grass, add flowers and plants, put in a pond, or get a landscape architect to design an entirely new outdoor living space.

First impressions do count and entryway work makes a great first impression. Renovation work can include changing the color scheme, adding a new door, putting in different light fixtures, or changing the entire entrance. Anything can make a lasting good impression.

Everyone congregates in the kitchen and it's also a renovator's favorite. It's one of the best (though not the easiest) ways to improve a house. Possibilities include: layout changes, different floors, new cabinetry, countertop changes, new or additional appliances, and even expansion.

It's a project that can really get renovators cooking. But make sure you don't mind eating out every night or cooking with a propane stove during work on the kitchen.

Another favorite renovator retreat is the bathroom. New baths, sinks, toilets, and floors can make a visit to the bathroom like a quick trip to a luxurious spa. But getting to that spa can require a few missed showers along the way.

Those in need of more space look longingly at basements and attics. You can certainly create additional living (and working) space. But I've seen plenty of poorly-done re-dos in dank and dark basements and attics. You need to have the right space, the right ideas, and the right amount of money to spend.

Additions can be a great renovation project. When done well, they blend perfectly with the current architecture, add space, and give newness to an old house. Along with budgetary concerns, you should be certain you won't be building the biggest and best house on the block. It's great way to over-renovate a house.

FINANCING

If you're just adding a fresh coat of paint, you don't need to visit your banker. Just watch that credit limit (and your renovating budget) each time you visit the paint or hardware store with your charge card in hand.

For bigger projects, however, you may need to finance all or part of the renovation. With current rates, it may make your project an even bigger bargain.

Home equity loans are popular with lenders and renovators. If you have equity in your house, banks, S&Ls, and credit unions are generally more than happy to help finance improvements.

Another option is a true home improvement loan. These are generally more difficult to get, but viable major improvements will be considered by lenders. These loans are based on the appraised value of the property after the work and are generally paid in installments as renovation progresses.

Other financing options include: holdback mortgages (money is loaned during the stages of purchase and renovation); assumptions; and refinancing (including the renovation work). Low interest rates, ARMs, teaser rates, and flexible lenders make renovation financing easier than ever.

USING EXPERTS

Many do-it-yourselfers save money by pursuing every renovation project on their own. If you have the time, knowledge, and skills to do it yourself, there is little doubt you can save money. But there are typically many financial and non-financial considerations involved in doing it on your own.

Renovators get into trouble when they waste time and money on projects they can't handle. This can range from hanging a door to managing major renovation work.

Experts can save renovators time, hassles, mistakes, and even money. Robert Irwin says, "Many times it pays to have someone else who is more knowledgeable, trained, and skillful do the work. It can save you time and money to have the expert do it."

It's really a function of what you can reasonably handle. I've found that I can handle labor-intensive projects requiring little technical skill. But when it comes to major renovation, electrical work, plumbing, and many other technical projects, I call my resident expert, Chip Spitzer.

Many renovators have someone like Chip Spitzer in their lives. Chip is a general contractor and is the owner of C.E. Spitzer, Inc. He has saved me many headaches and much money over the years. From completely managing major projects, referring me to specialists, and giving experienced advice, Mr. Spitzer and many others are worth their weight in nails.

Mr. Spitzer says, "Experts make renovating much easier. They've generally seen it all and can keep problems and costs to a minimum."

From general contractors to electricians, experts are good for renovators. It's just a matter of knowing when you've run out of time, patience, money, or technical knowledge.

Another expert worth his or her weight in fabric is a home designer. A renovated room won't look right unless it is decorated correctly. Designers have the background and experience to know what looks right.

Our designer, Myrf Bowry, says, "If you're going to spend the time and money to renovate, it's worth the investment to hire a designer. They can complete the correct look."

COMPLETING THE WORK

Everyone says renovation takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you project. As a reformed renovator, I know that doesn't have to be the case.

I'm constantly completing work on time and under budget. Most of my ideas come from renovation experts, as well as "This Old House" and magazines like Metropolitan Home, HG, and Old House Journal. I also love visiting the renovated houses of friends.

If you choose the right projects and use experts when it's appropriate, you can complete the work on time and within a certain budget. Proper planning makes the difference.

Depending on the project, planning can involve a quick trip to the hardware store, comparing prices, consulting experts, hiring workers, and much more. Any project requires a budget and a schedule, whether you keep it or you hire someone else to do it.

Robert Irwin says there are many major pitfalls to avoid. He finds that many people simply don't like renovation work. These people should definitely use experts or find a new house.

Other renovators try to do too much themselves. Mr. Irwin says, "It's one thing to try to save money; it's another to end up with inferior quality, delays, or incomplete jobs."

Once the work is complete, just sit back enjoy the fruits of your labors. But as any good reformed (and rejuvenated) renovator, think about what you can do next!