2020, 2021, and 2022 have created a world we’ve never seen before. A presidential election, an ongoing pandemic, war across the world…the list of events goes on and on.
During these times, we’ve all grown tired of hearing the term “unprecedented.” Things are certainly different than they were five years ago. We’ve had to adjust and be quick on our feet in certain scenarios.
This time of struggle and vulnerability has also created room to grow. After experiencing these worldwide tragedies and challenges, more and more individuals have learned to value what they have and make the most of their lives.
Some live like there’s no tomorrow, finally taking that vacation they’ve been craving. Others realize how precious time is and decide to really invest in the space around them.
With this, we’ve seen a massive increase in homeowners remodeling their homes in drastic ways. Whether it’s adding a pool to their backyard, upgrading their front door, or remodeling a bathroom, there’s no denying the influx of demand for construction materials and skilled labor.
This sudden boom in home remodeling has allowed budding businesses to jump into the industry. However, the demand for more installers and contractors has left room for inexperienced companies to take advantage of homeowners.
Southwest Exteriors has been an exterior remodeling contractor in San Antonio since 1989. Because of our longevity, attention to detail, and care for our clients, we’ve built trust with homeowners in the area. They know we will provide them with a high-quality remodel.
Because we’ve been around for so long, we’ve seen many companies come and go within just a few years. We’ve also helped many homeowners who have fallen prey to these inexperienced companies and ended up with a botched project.
So, if you’ve wanted to start a home remodeling project, we want you to have the right information to avoid being taken advantage of by the wrong company.
This article will go over what sparked this home remodeling boom over the past few years and what you need to know during this time before starting your remodeling project.
After reading, you will better understand why this influx of construction has started and be well-assured to start your project right, especially during these times of uncertainty.
Why is everyone suddenly remodeling their homes?
Maybe you’ve seen a few of your neighbors doing construction on their homes. Or maybe you’ve seen more posts on social media of your friends and influencers across the country remodeling their homes.
If you’ve wanted to start a remodeling project, this question has probably popped into your mind. “Why does it seem like everyone is remodeling right now?”
Here we’re going to outline three main reasons this home remodeling boom has started.
1. More people are home, looking for something to renovate
The first main reason there has been an increase in home remodeling is that more people have been home more than ever before. The pandemic has forced many offices and businesses to close, forcing many to work from home or spend an extended period at home.
Think about it. The longer you stay in one place, the more attention to detail you pay. In your home, you may notice you suddenly don’t like the paint color in your office. Or maybe you’ve had more time to spend outside and notice some damaged siding that needs replacing.
During the heat of the pandemic, many homeowners also saved money by not eating out at restaurants, going out to concerts, or going on vacation. This has allowed many to save up for a large remodeling project.
No matter the project, homeowners being home more than ever has led to many looking for a change and ready to freshen things up, thus contributing to this home remodeling boom.
2. Prices continue to increase, meaning more homeowners don’t want to wait
The second major contributor to a home remodeling boom is increased costs. This includes the cost of materials, the cost of labor, installation, and more.
Like almost anything in this world, home remodeling and construction are no stranger to inflation. Prices continue to increase every year.
So, for a homeowner looking to remodel an area of their home, why wait a few years when it will be more expensive? The threat of rising costs over time is a large catalyst to the increase in home remodeling projects.
3. Lead times for products and services continue to increase
The third reason for a home remodeling influx is the exponential increase in lead times for construction materials. Similar to the increase in costs, the longer one waits to start their project, the longer it will take for it to happen.
The influx in home remodeling has created a greater demand for more materials and labor. This has led to a longer wait period between when the products are ordered to when they can be installed.
As a homeowner, the longer you wait to meet with a contractor and decide on the products you want for your project, the more time there is for others to get in front of you and increase the lead times.
With this in mind, more homeowners are aware that if they don’t start soon, they will have to wait longer and longer before their project can be completed. This has created a large increase in demand for home remodeling projects in a short amount of time.
What do I need to know if I want to start a home remodeling project soon?
Understanding why there has been such a large influx in home remodeling projects is important to preface what you need to know before starting your project.
As we alluded to in the introduction of this article, this sudden boom in home remodeling has allowed new contractors to enter the market. For a homeowner, it can be hard to find the right contractor, especially with more options available now.
Before starting your home remodeling project and finding a contractor, there are a few things you must be aware of.
First, you must be able to identify an untrustworthy contractor
Because of the increase in new companies emerging during this home remodeling boom, you need to know how to identify the right contractor. This means knowing what to look for that tells you you can trust a contractor and what to look for that tells you not to trust a contractor.
Some common red flags to look out for when searching for the right contractor are:
- They don’t have a website or online presence
- They are door to door selling
- They talk poorly about their competitors
- They don’t have pictures of their work
- They make decisions for you
Identifying red flags, especially when vetting multiple contractors, is just as important as identifying green ones. Sometimes, it can even be easier.
When there are so many new contractors out there trying to get your business, be smart, research, ask the right questions, and trust your gut. Choosing an untrustworthy company can result in having to redo your project again and costing you more in the future.
Second, you need to understand cost versus value
Outlining your goals for your project is crucial to finding the right contractor. This includes outlining and creating the right budget for your project.
When creating your budget for your project, it’s important to have realistic expectations. In the home remodeling industry, cost and quality have a direct relationship. The highest quality products and services will never be the least expensive.
So, if you're looking for a long-term solution for your project, you’re going to have to pay more. You first must understand the difference between the cost of your project and the value of your project before choosing a contractor.
Third, you can’t be tempted by a quote that seems too good to be true
After knowing how to identify red and green flags in a contractor and outlining your goals for your project, one final thing you need to know is to not be tempted by a lower quote.
A part of new contractors entering the home remodeling market is the creation of a large price discrepancy. Inexperienced companies don’t know how to properly price the products they offer and installation services. This creates a large gap between the cost of contractors offering the same products.
For example, this discrepancy in pricing is especially noticeable with James Hardie siding contractors. Many new companies are buying Hardie siding and offering to install it for much less than other professional contractors. However, many of these contractors do not know how to install Hardie siding properly and offer a lower quote just to keep business.
Whether it’s new siding, windows, or plumbing services, it’s important not to fall for an offer just because it’s the least expensive option. If it seems too good to be true, chances are it most likely is.
The Home Remodeling Boom of the 20s
Over the past few years, homeowners across the nation have been remodeling their homes more than ever before. They are spending more time at home and starting projects before costs and lead times increase more.
Because of the sudden uptake in demand for home remodeling services, new companies with little to no experience are entering the market.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a home remodeling project, no matter how big or small, remember to have the right tools in place to identify a trustworthy contractor from an untrustworthy one.
You must have realistic expectations for the cost of your project, and don’t be tempted to choose a contractor that offers you a lower quote. With any project, remember that the lower-cost contractor will never deliver the highest quality installation and services.
At Southwest Exteriors, we pride ourselves on the craftsmanship of our work and the care we provide our clients. While we are more expensive than other contractors in the area, your investment is going towards high-quality, long-lasting products and installation to last a lifetime on your home.
If you’re thinking about starting a home remodeling project, it’s important you have the right steps.
This article will outline seven steps to follow to start your home remodeling project right, like outlining your goals, your budget, finding the right products for you, and more. Then, you’ll have the right steps and tools to know how to get started on your project and ensure a successful result.
