TURNING YOUR LIVING SPACE INTO A WORKING SPACE: THE PERFECT HOME OFFICE

By Sandy Boda, Executive Officer
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

As high school graduates head to their first year at university and college graduates leave the nest, many parents are finding a bit more breathing room in the family home. Maybe a bedroom in your home has opened up and is ready for repurposing. Imagine the possibilities: Your newly emptied bedroom could become a den, a library, or even a media room.

One of the most popular ways to keep that now-free room functional is to create a home office. With solid planning, it is possible to create a home workspace that you will actually want to work in, whether it is a comfortable, organized space to pay household bills or the headquarters for your home-based business.

In fact, many homeowners need a place to work from home occasionally. A growing number of organizations allow their workers to telecommute and, according to Gopal Ahluwalia, an economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 12 million houses nationwide have a dedicated home office space. Telecommuters can enjoy the perks of a dedicated home office too.

According to Ray Accettella, a professional remodeler and president of Jarro Building Industries in Long Island, N.Y., the majority of his home office remodeling projects are dedicated offices that cost between $24,000-$30,000. The price however, depends wholly on the office’s purpose and how extensive the renovations are. Many of Accettella’s clients want additions for an office space and include bathrooms and sound boards to keep the space quiet.

Whether you are turning that now-empty bedroom into a home office or adding on, keep the following information in mind.

Begin with a floor plan. Get some graph paper and draw the setup you want. On paper, you can move elements around a number of times until you find the fit that is right for you.

Remember to include the locations of electrical outlets, phone jacks and other hookups in this planning stage. There are also computer software programs available if you prefer a mouse to a pencil.

This can be a good time to list what you have and what you need to make your design a reality. Keep in mind that you may be able to find some things around the house, while others will require a purchase.

While the office can be as simple or high-tech as you like, there are several basics for every home workspace. A table or desk you can work at is a must-have. In addition, a comfortable chair that fits with your desk or table is important. Comfort is key in selecting these basics. A lamp is essential if you work at night or the lighting in the room isn’t sufficient.

Organization is important in making your office run efficiently. Desk organizers to hold pens, pencils, paper clips and other office supplies are great and help cut down on desktop clutter. Filing cabinets are helpful to keep track of important paperwork, and they come in many sizes. If you start out organized, you are more likely to stay organized.

Chances are, you own a home computer. But are you satisfied with its performance? While creating your workspace, you may want to consider a second computer specifically for the office. Employees at your local computer store can help you find a computer that fits your needs and budget. They can also help you select the best software for your office tasks.

Make sure that you can connect to the Internet from your chosen room. Most likely your local phone company as well as a wide array of other service providers offer multiple Internet options for you. Shop around until you find one that fits your needs and budget.

The addition of a second phone line may also be considered, especially if you work from home. It can be a great way to stay in contact with business colleagues.

Remember, even though it is a workspace, your office should reflect your personal taste. If there is a certain type of décor you like, use it in your office. Paintings and photographs can add a personal touch to a home work space as well. A bulletin board or a small chalkboard also can be useful for posting important information or essential telephone numbers and mail addresses.

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything for your office all at once. Get the room set up and try working in it for a while. The more time you spend in your office, the more you will realize what you need to make it function better. Creating a home office can be a great way to maximize your newly created space. Office supply stores can be a great resource, as can many furniture stores, in finding what you need to get started. With thoughtful planning, you can count on a functional and comfortable home workspace.

For more information about remodeling and reinventing rooms in your home, contact your local builders association or visit NAHB at HYPERLINK “http://www.nahb.org/forconsumers” www.nahb.org/forconsumers. To sign up for NAHB’s free consumer e-newsletter for all things home, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.nahb.org/housekeys” www.nahb.org/housekeys.

(Sandra J. (Sandy) Boda is executive officer of the 650-member Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, and she is also serving as president of the Georgia Executive Council (GEOC) for the Home Builders Association of Georgia for the 2005-2006 year. As executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia since December 2001, she coordinates the association-related activities of HBA members in 10 counties - Butts, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, and Upson. Sandy has been active in the Georgia Executive Officer Council since 2002. She received the nationally certified “100 Hour Designation� in 2003 for successfully completing a proscribed course of study for HBA executive officers. She has served on three national HBA committees: seminar, sponsorship and membership services. This year, she is chairing the sponsorship committee, which will be responsible for raising $200,000 to further the education opportunities of association executive officers nationwide. A native of Ohio, Sandy has been a resident of Fayette County since 1978.)

Add comment September 7th, 2006

IT’s A GOOD TIME TO REMODEL

By Jeff Waddle, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

The ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” draws up to 17 million viewers a week. The Home & Garden Television Network (HGTV) has 10 shows dedicated to remodeling alone. And nearly 450,000 people subscribe toBetter Homes & Gardens Remodeling Ideas Magazine.

With the average U.S. home now about 32 years old, it’s no wonder Americans spent an estimated $210 billion on home remodeling last year. During National Home Remodeling Month this May, take advantage of the myriad resources from the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia that help consumers make the best home improvement decisions.

Home remodeling offers numerous benefits to homeowners who want to change their living environment without uprooting their family and moving. Home improvements can add more space for a growing family or older parent, improve energy efficiency and increase the resale value of your home. But choosing the right professional for a remodeling job can pose a challenge for even the most seasoned of homeowners.

The most critical decision homeowners will make when embarking on a remodeling project is choosing the right professional for the job. Remodelers who are members of our associatuib are committed to the industry, committed to quality construction and integrity, and most importantly, committed to the customer.”

Choosing a professional remodeler can save both time and money by getting the job right the first time. They help translate a homeowner’s vision accurately into reality. Professional remodelers also understand that consumer comfort during the project and its successful completion depend on effective communication and follow-through. For consumers looking to hire a professional remodeler, these online resources are available:

* Visit www.nahb.org/remodel to find out the inside scoop on finding, evaluating and hiring professionals to get the job done right the first time and locate professional remodelers with our online directory. Consumers also can call 800-368-5242 ext. 8216 for a free brochure.

* Aging-in-place means living in one’s home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. The Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation is a one-of-a-kind program that teaches remodelers how to modify homes for those who wish to age in place. Find a CAPS professional with our online directory at www.nahb.org/caps.

* Like certified public accountants and MBAs, remodelers also work to increase their knowledge through education. The Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) designation is a remodeling graduate school teaching extensive technical, business and customer skills well beyond the average contractor.

For more information on remodeling your home or finding a professional, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

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(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)

Add comment May 19th, 2006

ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES

By Jerome Quinn
SawHorse, Inc.

I recently saw a cartoon that pictured a woman pulling a giant stocking over her home. The caption indicated that the character was concerned with energy costs and thus had embarked on an extensive craft project - that of knitting a stocking that would cover her entire home. If only creating an energy efficient home were that simple.

With gas prices at the pump skyrocketing, many of our neighbors are looking for ways to make up for their gas-guzzling vehicles. What will be just as important this winter, however, is finding ways to make up for gas-guzzling houses.

The key to lower utility bills is an energy efficient home.

The most important element in creating an energy efficient home is ensuring that the home is properly sealed. Our homes should be as air-tight as possible. This means air is not escaping around doors and windows or through walls and ceilings. Proper sealing helps to heat and cool the home more efficiently and also contributes to maintaining the proper humidity of a home.

In addition to having an air-tight home that is most effectively heated and cooled is having the proper heating and cooling system. If a system is too large for the home, it will waste energy by changing the air temperature too quickly and then shutting off. Air conditioner efficiency is similar to the gas mileage in cars - the longer it runs at a constant speed without stopping and starting, the less energy it uses. (Think of the mileage you get on the highway as opposed to the in-town mileage.) You want your air conditioner to run for long periods of time; it will be more efficient than constantly starting and stopping.

When renovating a home, there are other things you can include, making your home more energy efficient.

Improperly sealed doors and windows should be resealed or replaced using proper flashing to reduce or eliminate indoor/outdoor air-flow. Also, there is now a spray foam insulation that provides a complete air seal and excellent insulation. Replacing current windows with low E, argon filled windows will reduce the amount of heat that comes in during the summer months. And, including dormer windows or skylights in your remodeling project will increase the amount of natural light, reducing the necessary amount of artificial (and electricity supplied) light.

Add comment March 23rd, 2006

TRANSFORMING HOUSING THROUGH GREEN REMODELING

By Carl Seville
Seville Consulting

Big Numbers:

According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, there are over 120 Million homes more than 32 years old. $233 Billion is spent annually on remodeling work. Remodeling accounts for 40% of residential construction spending which is 2% of the US economy. In 2003 alone, over 800,000 room additions were constructed, most by professional remodeling contractors. Green remodeling provides long term benefits to homeowners, remodelers, local economies, and our environment. Every remodeling project that is not green is a missed opportunity with implications that will last through generations. Let’s assume that each of those 800,000 projects has an average life of 30 years before being remodeled again. If every project were remodeled green, each homeowner would experience 30 years of reduced energy bills, improved comfort, healthier air, and lower home maintenance costs. Every project that is not green deprives those homeowners, and the subsequent purchasers of their homes, of these benefits. That amounts to millions of years of individual homeowner benefits that are squandered.

What is green remodeling?

Green remodeling encompasses four main principals: Energy Efficiency, Healthy Indoor Air, Durability, and Resource Efficiency. These concepts, considered in relationship to the other, comprise what is known as Building Science. Building Science is the study of the “House as a System” in order to support each of the four principals of green remodeling. Significant time and energy has been spent on Building Science research in recent years, providing remodelers with practically endless amounts of valuable information they can use in making their projects green.

Why Green Remodeling?

Green remodeling is both a local and a global issue. There will always be more old homes than new homes. Older homes are typically inefficient and provide unhealthy indoor air. Inefficient homes require increased utility expenses. Utilities, being part of a global market, tend to direct money out of the local economy. If we were instead to invest money in making homes more efficient, that money would be spent locally, on labor and materials, redirecting that money to the local economy.

Another aspect of green remodeling, one that in many ways is more important than energy efficiency, is indoor health. The air inside most homes is less healthy than the air outside. Most people spend over 90% of their lives indoors. Ever-increasing allergies and asthma are a direct result of unhealthy indoor air. We are literally poisoning ourselves and our children by the way we build our houses. The knowledge is there to make homes healthier, and it is not rocket science. It is building science. Occupants of green homes continue to report that they are healthier and have reduced allergies and asthma. Green remodeling provides us with the ability to make almost any existing home a healthier place to live.

Why we must remodel green:

The remodeling industry is as large as new home construction in the US. New home builders are steadily embracing green construction practices, proving to homeowners that there is an alternative to unhealthy and inefficient houses. There will, however, always be more older homes than newer homes. Almost all of those homes can benefit from green remodeling. The remodeling industry has the opportunity, as well as the responsibility to improve our existing housing stock, allowing the residents to live healthier and more prosperous lives.

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Add comment February 13th, 2006