Functionality In The Home Named Top Priority

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Functionality In The Home Named Top Priority

Remodelers help make homes more functional for modern-day families

(HIT) - The majority (56%) of homeowners cite functionality as their largest concern when it comes to renovating their homes, according to the latest consumer poll conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

"The functionality of a home is very important, especially over the long term, as many homeowners in this economy have opted for remodeling over moving to new homes," says NARI National President Paul Zuch, CR, president of Capital Improvements.



	Before

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—from the location of the electrical outlets to the location of light switches.

To address concerns, homeowners should think about how they intend to use the space in the future. Young families with small children may use the space differently than empty-nesters. Multi-generational households oftentimes require universal design principles to be incorporated to increase the accessibility for everyone who lives in the home. NARI remodelers have the ability to tap into the special needs of their clients and incorporate them into the design.

"It’s all about personalization—homeowners want to know that their space can be converted easily into a difference space in the future," Zuch says. "As children age and move out, they want to be able to make that space their own."

When planning a remodel, here are a couple details you may want to think about:

Where you want electrical outlets, telephone jacks and cable hook ups.
What type of lighting is required—perhaps you’ll want to add a skylight or recessed lighting.
Blending the design of new living space into existing living space.
Your current and future storage needs.
Universal features to accommodate the needs of a broader range of people throughout their lifetimes.



After

These details will enable your remodeling contractor to help implement a design that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Consulting with a professional will provide you with ideas to increase convenience, time and money-saving hints for your particular project.

Visitors to NARI’s Web site, www.nari.org, were asked to take part in this poll. Other results showed that 22 percent of homeowners were concerned about lead paint in their homes. Another 13 percent said room size and 9 percent found accessibility of their homes to be a major concern.

As of April 22, 2010, the EPA passed new regulations concern lead paint in homes built before 1978. Contractors are required by law, to be certified in lead-safe practices and registered with the EPA to work in pre-1978 homes. For more information on these regulations, click here.

NARI can connect you with remodel-ready contractors who will take care of the entire remodeling process. Find a NARI member on www.NARIremodelers.com. For green remodeling information, please visit www.GreenRemodeling.org.

About NARI:

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association which represents more than 8,200 member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors— is "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry."™ To locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s Web site at www.NARIremodelers.com, or contact the national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, at 800-611-NARI.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

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