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Imagine the possibilities on Remodelors Parade
By KAREN KLINKEFUS
Special Sections Editor
It can be easy to recognize what’s wrong with your house or
what you’d like to change. But, it’s not always so easy
to figure out how to turn your ordinary house into your dream home.
The 2005 Remodelors Parade, sponsored by the Remodelors Council of
The Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association, can open your
eyes to the possibilities of what your home could become.
On Oct. 8 & 9, a total of 17 Iowa City area homes will open their
doors to the public to show off not only kitchen and bath remodels,
but also whole house transformations.
The projects on this year’s Remodelors Parade range from smaller
projects all the way up to six-figure whole house remodels, according
to Rob Hajek, president of the Home Repair Team of North Liberty and
2005 Chair of the Remodelors Council.
“The consumer will get to see such a variety of projects on
this year’s parade,” Hajek says. Hajek feels that the
growth in the size of the projects on the Remodelors Parade reflects
the current state of the remodeling industry. “Remodeling expenditures
are expected to outgrow new construction in a few years,” Hajek
says. “A lot of people want to stay in their neighborhoods and
are more willing to invest in their homes,” he says.
If you’re considering a home renovation project, the Remodelors
Parade will not only let you see a variety of projects, but also see
the craftsmanship of individual contractors from the area. “This
gives you a chance to physically see their work instead of just looking
at pictures,” Hajek says. At the Remodelors Parade, contractors
and their staff will be on hand to discuss the project and how they
could incorporate the same type of project into your home.
Hajek cautions, “Don’t expect to talk about specific prices.
Most remodelors won’t be able to do that (in order to respect
their current customer’s privacy.)” Yet, a contractor
will be able to talk to you about how much money you want to spend
and how they could design a project to meet your budget.
Hajek recommends that the public take full advantage of the Remodelors
Parade, visiting as many homes as time allows. “If you spend
more time, you can get more ideas than if you see just one,”
Hajek says.