I love remodeling for the challenges it presents and the improvement to peoples’ lives it provides. As a designer working primarily on aged and historic homes, I strive to be an expert on remodeling to best assist my clients. So, to me, remodeling isn’t such a daunting task anymore. If you are unsure about remodeling, these are my 5 suggestions of why a remodel can beneficial to you and your family.

#1 A REMODEL WILL BETTER YOUR LIFE.

This seems like a bold statement, but I have seen it time and time again. I’ve never had a client dislike the outcome of their remodel. In every case it has improved the functionality and satisfaction their homes bring to their lives. Although a stressful process at times, the result is always a positive one; well worth the investment and effort. I’ve seen the outcome of a remodel improve moods, health, and family relationships for each of my clients.

#2 A REMODEL WILL IMPROVE AND PRESERVE YOUR HOME AND COMMUNITY.

If you are in Spokane, the next time you are driving between between communities I want you to look around. There are multiple neighborhoods that are falling apart because they haven’t been cherished and upkept. This could happen to literally any neighborhood, no matter how beautiful the homes currently are. When you invest in a remodel, you are preserving your home for the future and influencing the community around you for the better.

#3 REMODELING ALLOWS YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE STYLE.

Ok, I love this one. The majority of homes built today are pretty synonymous to each other. And yes, you often have a variety of finishes and selections to choose from when building. But, unless you are building totally custom, homes in a tract still all have very similar floorplans, materials, and concepts.

Homes didn’t always use to be that way. It was once more common that homes were built with beautiful hand craftmanship and unique architectural details. In fact, tract developments really started emerging in the early 1940’s when the need for affordable housing grew. Builders could more easily and affordably mass produce homes because they were all the same, making them more available to the general public. This was good, because it got more people into their own homes and improved quality of life for many. It also, however, greatly influenced the way we build communities today in a negative way by suffocating the creativity used to build new homes.

When you remodel you can utilize the details that may be in the home (regardless of the generation it was built) and use them to create a space and style all your own. You have full creative reign here! Although there are spatial limitations, you can push the boundaries, establishing a home that is unique. A home that better caters to your lifestyle.  

#4 REMODELING IS SUSTAINABLE.

So, then there is the sustainability issue. Being truly sustainable really depends on the materials and products you use, and the building practices put into place, but I want to offer the suggestion that remodeling can be very sustainable. As mentioned earlier, you are preserving a home and in turn, communities. You are preserving and reusing something that is already built. You aren’t tapping into any new land or resources and often you are actually improving the efficiency of your home. Hence, sustainability.

#5 A REMODEL IS AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL IMPROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME.

This is a notable concern I often get when it comes to remodeling. This is also kind of a funny question to me because people spend thousands a year on things that don’t last and that may or may not improve their lifestyle – clothing, shoes, products, vacations, etc., yet they have a hard time investing in their own homes. Even when it will improve their happiness on a day-to-day basis. Regardless, remodeling is a big investment and you want to know that it will have a return financially. Of course, the housing market and economy greatly affect this, but as long as your remodel is done well and the investment reflects the overall value or potential value of your home, there will almost always be a financial return. A return whether that is strictly monetary or in assisting your home to sell faster for the asking price.

---

Whatever your reason for remodeling is, my goal is to help my clients to be happy in their homes. I am all about living your best life and I truly believe that begins at home. For more remodeling help and suggestions, continue visiting the Jamie Nell Design blog, or sign up for a Design Consultation HERE!

Wishing you the most wonderful week,

Jamie Nell.