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FUNCTIONALITY NAMED TOP PRIORITY IN THE HOME
July 20, 2010

Milwaukee/NARI Focuses on Functionality in Home Remodeling

MILWAUKEE, WI – According to the latest poll conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) on its website, the majority (56 percent) of homeowners cite functionality as their largest concern when it comes to their home. Members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years, agree that making homes more functional is a large motivation in local remodeling.

“As remodeling contractors, we get a variety of requests from our clients – from converting an existing tub into a walk-in shower, to opening up the laundry room into an adjacent extra room to make one large multi-purpose room,” said Ken Connor, CR of Connor Remodeling and Design, Inc. in Menomonee Falls. “In every case, we find that how each family lives and functions will be the driving force in how and what we do.”

Functionality of the home generally starts with good design. Remodelers can help homeowners take special care to look for the missing details in any home design, such as the locations of electrical outlets and light switches.

For example, one of Connor’s projects improved the home’s functionality by altering the cable wiring. He explained, “A new flat screen TV was part of the plan, with cable wiring run to all walls allowing easy relocation of the TV to any wall.” In the same project, the renovated family room functioned better for the homeowners after the original fireplace was converted to a new gas insert, the lighting was improved, and the electrical outlets were updated with dimmer switches.

To address concerns, homeowners should think about how they intend to use the space in the future. Young families with small kids may use the space differently than empty nesters. Multi-generational households often require the incorporation of universal design principles to increase the accessibility for everyone who lives in the home. Milwaukee/NARI members are able to tap into the special needs of their clients and incorporate them into the design.

“Clients of ours who recently became empty nesters had a desire to remodel their bathroom and create a new space just for themselves,” Connor said. The homeowners, who no longer had any need for a bathtub, wanted to make the room theirs with a new shower. “They now have a more functional shower in the same space, including a completely new vanity and extra linen storage in a previously unused space.”

Connor described another recent remodel that included enlarging the existing laundry room and creating a mudroom, which provided a landing area for the two children. “As part of the project, we also added a pocket door that prevents guests from seeing the potential mess,” he said. Additionally, a room that was formerly a playroom was made into an exercise area complete with a treadmill and other equipment. “The playroom space was relocated to the new family room expansion and addition, providing a much larger space for the entire family to share and enjoy time together.”

According to Connor, making a home more functional doesn’t have to mean adding on. Of an upcoming kitchen project, he said, “The room size will not be changed, only its use.” The goal of the project is to create a convenient pass-through space by opening a wall to the dinette area, to make better use of natural light, and to make better use of space by reconstructing cabinets and moving the refrigerator to a more convenient location.

When homeowners plan a remodel, Milwaukee/NARI suggests the following details be considered as part of the renovation:

• Desired location of electrical outlets, telephone jacks, and cable hookups.
  
• What type of lighting is required or wanted, perhaps adding a skylight, recessed lighting, or under cabinet lighting.
  
• Blending the design of new living space into existing living space.
  
• Current and future storage needs.
  
• Universal features to accommodate the needs of a broader range of people throughout their lifetimes.

These details enable remodeling contractors to help implement a design that best suits the needs and lifestyle of the homeowners. By consulting with a professional, homeowners will receive ideas to increase convenience and time, as well as money-saving hints for a particular project.

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.

For more information or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI’s Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071 or visit the Council’s Web site at www.milwaukeenari.org.