Home Improvement Projects
Increasing the Value of your Home
Much has been written
about remodeling so we will make this brief and to the point. All
the experts agree that if you are considering a home-improvement project,
it's important to distinguish between increasing your home's value and improving
its livability.
If your objective is to improve short-term value - say,
to maximize the selling price of our home - small updating projects and
effective staging of your home will probably add relatively more to your
bottom line than a big redo. Home improvement projects that increase
the "livability" will result in you enjoying your home more but most likely
they will not increase its value.
Livability Livability is about you and your
family. For example, if you think a hot tub will add value to your
home, you may be disappointed. It may bring enjoyment to your family
but it may not increase the value of your home. Just about any experienced
realtor will tell you that they have had a least one transaction in their
career where the buyers wanted an existing hot tub removed as a condition
of the sale.
How about a swimming pool? In parts of Florida and
California, it could be as essential as a kitchen. Whereas in other
parts of the country (New England, Pacific Northwest, etc.) the chances
of having a pool increase the value of a home is very doubtful. In
other words, it all about location.
 Projects
to Increase the Value of your Home I'm sure you have read numerous
"Top Ten Home Improvement Projects" in publications that taut the fact that
their projects will increase the value of your home. Did you find
any agreement among the lists? From my experience as a realtor in
the Portland area, I can cite two things that most buyers appreciate in
a home: gardens and decks. So here are two projects that you
can consider:
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Portlanders love their trees and plants, so a well-designed
landscape and garden will most likely increase the value of a home in
the Portland area.
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A well-constructed and designed deck can add value
to your Portland home. The new composite materials such as
Trex requires little
maintenance and doesn't need replacing for a considerable length of
time. Composite materials can be hand scrubbed (instead of power
washed) which is an annual late spring job in Portland due to the winter
rains.
Cost Vs. Value in Remodeling
 Each
year since 1988, Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report has compared
construction costs for common remodeling projects with the value they
add at resale in 60 U.S. housing markets. The 2005 report has all 15
legacy projects (formerly, 10 were surveyed each year in rotation), plus
the “upscale” versions of five projects introduced two years ago.
New in 2005 are upscale versions of roofing and siding replacement
projects.
Besides the national averages, the report also includes data by region
and city. Click
here to view the Portland Cost vs. Value data.
More detailed descriptions of the projects are available at the
Remodeling Magazine Web site.
Finding a Contractorr
From my experience, contractors are hired by "word of mouth."
In most neighborhoods, someone is always doing some remodeling or updating
to their home so your "best bet" is to check with your neighbors when you
need the services of a contractor or service person.
The realtors in our Windermere office pool their experience
and we maintain a list of contractors and service people (carpenters, painters,
plumbers, electrical, window washing, etc.) that our clients have used in
the past with success. This list is constantly revised and available
to our clients.
The Oregon Attorney General's office publishes a list of
the "Top Ten Consumer Complaints" each year. To view the latest list,
go to Top
Ten Consumer Complaints.
Check on Contractor's License Status, Complaints, Actions
Oregon Construction Contractors Board The Construction Contractors Board
(CCB) is a State agency that protects consumers by regulating construction
contracting businesses. You can search for part of the business name
or the last name of the contractor; or The contractor’s CCB license number;
or The business telephone number.
You can look up license status, business record, administrative
license actions, disciplinary actions, etc. Or call 503-378-4610 or 888-366-5635
to obtain the information.
Where do I get a Building Permit?
The
Oregon
Building Codes Division (BCD) has an excellent Web site that fully explains
when a building permit is needed. Here is a good example of when a
electrical permit is required:
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Install or alter any permanent wiring or electrical
device.
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Run additional wiring, put in an electrical outlet
or light fixture, install a receptacle for a garage-door opener, or
convert from fuse box to circuit breakers.
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Install or alter low-voltage systems such as security
alarms or stereo or computer systems.
For homeowners, a permit is not required to replace electrical
devices or to perform the maintenance on an existing electrical installation.
Homeowners must apply for a permit at the building department
that has jurisdiction over their city or county. To find your jurisdiction,
call your nearest city hall and ask what building jurisdiction you should
contact for your permit. Be sure to mention your address and the type of
work you are planning.
The following are links to the building departments in
the Tri-County area of Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties, to
all building jurisdictions in the state of Oregon, and to the building departments
of SW Washington.
Books on Home Improvement Projects
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Home by Design: Transforming Your house into
Home Author: Sara Susanka. Taunton Press.
ISBN: 1561586188. She outlines 27
 design
concepts that are key to creating space that is both beautiful and comfortable.
This book will help you establish what works and what doesn't.
It inspires good ideas.
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House Transformed: Getting The Home You Want .
. . With The House You Have Author: Matthew Schoenheer. Publisher:
The Taunton Press/AIA. ISBN: 1561587117. The seven essential
of remodeling are very helpful. The book is perfect for seeing
how goals are translated into specific features.
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Craftsman National Repair and Remodeling Estimator
Publisher: Craftsman Book Company. ISBN: 1572181370. A contractor's
reference book that is detailed-oriented. The book is comprised
of list after list of labor and materials costs for most any home construction
task.
Oregon and Washington State Agencies
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Oregon Building
Codes Division The Building Codes Division (BCD) provides
code development, administration, inspection, plan review, licensing,
and permit services to the construction industry. These are integral
to the safe and effective construction of structures in Oregon. The
division was added to the newly formed Oregon Department of Consumer
& Business Services in 1993.
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Washington
Department of Labor and Industries At the Web site, you can
make sure a contractor is registered with a bond and insurance, and
an electrician or plumber is certified (licensed) in Washington.
You can check if a contractor or plumber has any recent infractions
and view a quarterly list of infractions issued to contractors and plumbers
that have not followed the laws and rules of Labor and Industries.
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Oregon Landscape
Contractors Board The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB)
is a State agency that protects consumers by regulating landscape contracting
businesses. Oregon law requires that all landscape businesses who work
on residential and nonresidential property in Oregon be licensed with
the LCB. To check a license status send an e-mail to
lcb@state.or.us or
call (503) 986-6561.
WARMING: Oregon Construction Contractors
Board
On December 4, 2005 The Oregonian ran
a story about how the
Oregon Construction
Board (CCB) failed to provide consumers with some of the most
basic information in its own databases. The article said that several years
ago, the agency quit listing all complaints against contractors on its Web
site after some builders protested that full disclosure hurt their businesses.
The board has done little as contractors avoided nearly half the damages
ordered by the agency. During the past 10 years, the board awarded some
$55 million to homeowners, suppliers and subcontractors, but only about
$28 million was paid, CCB records show.
The Oregonian: "The board has repeatedly
permitted troubled contractors to remain in business. Though the agency
can revoke the license of any contractor who ignores court judgments or
fails to pay subcontractors, officials said they make no effort to search
court files for such actions. That has allowed contractors such as Aldrich,
who failed to pay multiple court judgments, to stay in the business."
Suggestions for Protecting Yourself
The Oregonian offered regarding contractors
(1) Develop a list of potential contractors, get references and call them.
(2) Check court records for lawsuits, bankruptcies, judgments against the
contractor. (3) Search the Oregon Construction Contractors Board Web
site, but keep in mind that a contractor's complete record isn't necessarily
posted. For more information, review the claims history at the agency's
Salem office. (4) Get multiple bids. Don't automatically take the
lowest. Demand a written contract. (5) Pay wisely -- not more than
a quarter or a third upfront. Pay more as work is completed and passes inspection.
(6) Ask subcontractors and suppliers for lien waivers so you are protected
if your general contractor doesn't pay them. (7) Make checks payable
to a joint account held by the general contractor and subcontractors and
suppliers.
We can add another recommendation.
Instead of using the contractor's contracts, we suggest you use the
American Institute
of Architects' (AIA) forms. You can obtain them from the
Oregon AIA.
 Local
Resources for Home Improvement Projects
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Angie's List
Angie's List collects reports with grades ranging from A-F (like a school
report
card) in more than 250 categories that pertain to home, yard, auto and
personal services, such as roofers, electricians, barbers and hairstylists,
computer repair companies, plumbers, landscapers and auto mechanics.
These reports are consolidated into a database, which is then shared
with members.
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Bosco-Milligan Foundation
The Bosco-Milligan Foundation presents tours, hands-on training workshops,
and innovative exhibits. The foundation can be a great help in
restoring an historic home.
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Chromatix
Paints A new kind of paint store located at 222 SE Alder Street.
They offer four paint lines: Microblend (with Dupont technology), Fine
Paints of Europe, SkimStone, and Sydney Harbour.
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Energy Trust of
Oregon A nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how
Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable
energy for Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric,
and NW Natural.
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G/Rated - Portland's
Office of Sustainable Development Portland's green building
resource.
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Home
Builders Association of Portland Provides some hints on selecting
a builder and/or remodeling company. It also has a list of remodelers,
subcontractors, suppliers, and members who specialize in remodeling.
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Neil Kelly
Designers, remodelers, and home repair.
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Northwest EcoBuilding
Guild An association of builders, designers, homeowners, trades
people, manufacturers, suppliers and others interested in ecologically
sustainable building.
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Rejuvenation
Honoring old houses and their caretakers with period-authentic lighting
and house parts is their business. You will enjoy a visit to this
store. Located in southeast Portland just across the Hawthorne
Bridge.
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SCRAP
Promotes creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by
providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community.
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Solar Energy Association of Oregon Dedicated to increasing
the use of solar energy in Oregon.
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Winks Hardware
With a staff of former hardware storeowners, industry journeymen and
women, and national hardware representatives, Winks Hardware employees
have a wealth of product knowledge and project application experience.
And to facilitate a solution-driven experience, customers receive one-on-one
service to help guide them through the correct hardware application.
Winks is a real contrast to the "box store" home improvement centers.
Other Resources
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Canadian
Home Builders' Association This Web site is an everything-you-want-to-know
resources about the basics of a remodeling project. But that is
just one small part of the site as it covers homes from A to Z.
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Fine Homebuilding A comprehensive source of reliable home
building information. Fine Homebuilding has eight issues each
year plus two special issues: one on Homes and the other on
Kitchens and Baths.
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Smart Home
The world's largest supplier of home automation and smart gadgets for
your home.
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This Old
House Web site associated with the popular PBS television
series. The site offers advice on many aspects of remodeling projects.
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