We can hear it now - the roar of the irate. They are the battle cries of malcontent homeowners everywhere living in cramped, outdated and, in some cases, unsafe housing. "I can't live another day without a second bathroom in this house!" Or, "This kitchen is so small, it's driving me nuts!" "The closets in this house are too tiny and there aren't enough of them!" Sound familiar? We have heard these complaints and many more during our nearly 20 years as remodeling contractors.
Cramped quarters, outdated finishes, and the need to make general repairs and perform routine maintenance are fuel for the raging multi-billion dollar residential remodeling market. Industry statistics report that residential remodeling topped $125 billion in 1997 and that there appears to be no end in sight. That explains why mega home centers, designed to cater to the pro and do-it-yourselfer alike, are springing up in communities across this land. Is remodeling popular? If you have any doubt, simply visit your local home center and witness the frenzy of activity taking place.
An increasing number of people are joining the ranks of the "weekend warrior" taking on do-it-yourself projects of all kinds. If you count yourself as one, you're in good company - or at least lots of company. Industry statistics report that millions of Americans currently are involved in DIY activities at all skill levels.
Saving money isn't the only motivation for folks to roll up their sleeves to perform projects that range from repairing a leaky faucet to the installation of a state-of-the-art garage door opener. Equally important is the pride and sense of accomplishment that results from the successful completion of a home-improvement project. Moreover, many people associate DIY fix-ups with retirement, something to keep otherwise idle hands busy. Actually, the majority of people who consider themselves handy around the house are between the ages of 25 and 45. And although home remodeling and the disruption that it can create is associated with stress, many DIYers report that getting their hands dirty serves as a means of relieving stress from the daily grind at work.
The man of the house isn't always the one that wears the tool belt in the family. According to a recent study, at least 40 percent of all do-it-yourselfers are women.
As capable and confident as some do-it-yourselfers might be, most still leave the big projects such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions to the professional. However, a DIY is usually involved in some phase of such a project whether it is demolition or painting. Interior painting is the most common DIY project followed by exterior painting, toilet repair, faucet replacement and lockset replacement.
Summer is the most popular time for DIYers to do their thing, closely followed by spring. As one might suppose, the holiday season is the least popular time for such projects.
When shopping for home-improvement tools and materials, men and women don't necessarily have similar preferences. For example, some men prefer a retailer that offers one-stop shopping, easy-to-find products and a hassle-free return policies. Some women, on the other hand, look for cost savings, a helpful staff and/or a safe parking lot.
For more about remodeling your home, we invite you to pick up a copy of our new book, "Home Remodeling For Dummies." It can be found at most bookstores and libraries.
