California design studio ByBen took up a remodling project of a Los Angeles home weathered with quite a bit of wear dating back to the 1920s. The ByBen team, spearheaded by architect Ben Warwas, worked to reimagine the 1,220-square-foot property, focusing on elevating the interior and increasing the sense of space and light, as well as reworking the exterior landscaping. According to the project page on ByBen’s website, The Bagel House is a full house renovation in the Glassel Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. This project keeps the over all programmatic…
Read MoreDay: February 12, 2025
Navigating Regulations and Permits: Top Tips for Remodelers
While adhering to regulations and obtaining permits can be a time-consuming process, the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences for remodelers and their projects. In a recent article by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the organization details essentials tips for managing regulations and permits. According to NARI, discussing its first consideration, Building codes may vary significantly by location. It is crucial to check with local authorities to determine whether a permit is needed for your specific project, especially if it involves structural changes or altering the home’s living…
Read MoreSeattle Home Transformed From Compact to an Open Floorplan With Functional Design
This Seattle, Washington home, whose project name became The Black Sheep Remodel when Seattle-based design studio SHED Architecture and Design took on the challenge, dates back to 1921. The clapboard bungalow was originally designed to house the area’s burgeoning workforce, equipped with a compact, rectangular floorplan broken up into smaller rooms that aren’t conducive to today’s modern living. SHED undertook the project to integrate the home’s 2,380 square feet of living spaces to establish an open-flow interior while also overhauling the property’s exterior to create a visual connection from the…
Read MoreEmpty Nesters Are Spending Big on These Home Improvements
Empty nesters have a newfound breadth of space, time and money, and many aren’t afraid to use it. According to MSN, Recently, Nationwide worked with Edelman Data & Intelligence to survey 1,000 U.S. homeowners, 400 independent insurance agents and 131 empty nesters. They found that although a similar number of empty nesters versus homeowners renovate their home, empty nesters pay more for those renovations. Empty nesters spend an average of $8,670 on home renovations, compared with $5,128 for the typical homeowner. Read More
Read MoreTips for Remodelers Working with Contract Designers
Remodelers know that working with designers is beneficial and attractive to clients. Still, for many remodeling businesses, it makes more sense to contract with outside designers rather than hire an in-house design team. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the first tip is to decide what type of designer you’ll be needing to work with: Generally, there are two types of designers with whom remodelers work. First, is an architectural designer, who considers the structure and framework of the remodel. They might draft and create blueprints.…
Read MorePrices and Trends in the U.S. Framing Lumber Market Released
With updated trends recently released, the week-to-week framing lumber composite price increased 1.2% on Feb. 7, 2025. Lumber prices are now 13.2% higher compared to one year ago. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) continually tracks the latest lumber prices and futures prices, and provides an overview of the behaviors within the United States framing lumber market. The information is sourced each week using the Random Lengths framing lumber composite price which is comprised using prices from the highest volume-producing regions of the U.S. and Canada. According to NAHB’s…
Read MoreThe Spare Room Remodel Trends as Remodeling Clients Look to Raise Home Value
Homeowners looking to sell their home are turning to a certain remodel investment first in order to attract buyers while also making day-to-day living more comfortable in the meantime. Specific home amenities hold more weight and value than others, which can allow for an edge in the housing market as potential buyers hold out for such. And while the number of bedrooms in a home used to be a huge draw, more recent research has shown that most Americans have a large share of extra rooms going unused. Studies have…
Read MoreHome Remodeling Firms Express Optimism for 2025
Remodeling firms and residential contractors have entered 2025 with renewed confidence, among other building industry professionals, after experiencing revenue and profitability declines in 2024. This is according to Houzz Inc.’s annual U.S. Houzz State of the Industry report which was recently released. Houzz’s survey found that more than three in five firms are anticipating a positive outlook for their business for the year ahead. Specialty contractors in particular are leading in confidence. According to Furniture Today, While 2024 proved challenging — marked by declining revenues and tighter project budgets —…
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