Bathrooms, like this one at 3286 Autumn Lane in Janesville, are among the easier and less costly remodeling projects.
This home, featured on this year's Parade of Homes, is located at 3286 Autumn Lane, Janesville and was built by Advantage Homes.
JANESVILLE — Every September, Rock County’s builders showcase the best of their work.
For two weekends, visitors are invited to wander through new homes, look at remodeled kitchens and basements, and check out the latest, greatest and most elaborate.
In some ways, this year will be no different.
From Sept. 6 to 14, the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association will hold its annual Parade of Homes featuring 14 homes and six remodeling projects.
Homes range in size from 1,661 square feet to 5,037 square feet and are located throughout the county. Descriptions of the homes in the parade guide contain the traditional glowing prose: “Timeless beauty,” “distinctive amenities,” “warm and inviting” and, of course, “curb appeal.”
But some things have changed since September of last year. The economy has less momentum, and buyers are more cautious.
Ironically, all that consumer caution could translate into good news for people who have been waiting to build or remodel.
This isn’t voodoo economics or marketing magic, it’s the basic law of supply and demand.
And here’s another simple economic truth: A solid investment is still a solid investment.
“A house is always going to have value if the quality is in it,” said Tom Naatz, owner of Naatz Construction.
Less building, more builders
For consumers who have been biding their time, less building and more builders give them market advantages including:
-- Time.
“Builders are going to be able to spend more quality time with clients,” Naatz said. “They can help do research and come up with new ideas.”
Certainly they spent time with their clients in the past. But now, customer service has taken on a new importance.
-- The pick of the pack.
Rock County’s most reliable, reputable and creative homebuilders and remodelers often had waiting lists. Some even turned down jobs because they were so busy.
Consumers now can talk to a variety of builders or remodelers before making a decision.
“People will have more access to professionals,” Naatz said. “They’ll also have more access to remodelers.”
Many homebuilders are doing remodeling, as well.
Here’s another side effect: Some builders use their down time to expand their knowledge, going to seminars or learning about new products.
-- A better deal—maybe.
Had your eye on the perfect piece of land? Now might be the time to buy.
“The price of lots is a little more competitive,” Naatz said. “And builders might be willing to go a little further to give people a better deal, just to stay busy.”
And while some building supplies are cheaper now because demand is less, some are more expensive because of the cost of petroleum, Naatz explained.
Parade of ideas
The parade always has been designed to give visitors ideas and encouragement.
If you’re one of those cautious consumers, remodeling might be one way to get what you want.
“Some people are on little more of a budget,” said Claude Weisensel of Weisensel Inc. “It’s all in what the customer needs, and we see what we can do to make it happen.”
A difficult kitchen-dining area is one of the main reasons people want to build new. New construction will give them exactly what they want the first time through.
But moving has its drawbacks, and many people simply prefer the character of older homes.
“People decide ‘I like the neighborhood,’ or ‘I like this home,’” Weisensel said.
This year’s parade features six remodels including Weisensel’s transformation of a cramped and boxed-in kitchen, dining and living room into an elegant and functional open area.
Prairie Craftsmen’s entry on Harding Street also is a kitchen-dinette-living area remodel.
The finished products reflect what most people now want in the kitchen—a space to cook and a space to entertain.
“The house had these boxed-off little rooms; they didn’t really flow into each other,” Weisensel said. “This couple’s kids are gone, and they wanted to upgrade their appliances; they also do a fair amount of entertaining.”
While you might not be ready to take out a wall or upgrade all of your appliances, the parade can give you good ideas about how to make the best of an awkward situation at your own home.
Where to start your remodeling project?
Your kitchen has corner cupboards with tiny doors that hide vast spaces. Small children have been lost in those cupboards for days.
Your bathroom has tiles that come loose when you look at them, and the bathtub is so narrow even one of those sweet little Chinese gymnasts would get stuck in it.
And then there’s the master bedroom, with a closet apparently built for a family of elves.
With so many remodeling choices, what’s the best return on your money?
“Kitchens for sure,” said Claude Weisensel of Weisensel, Inc. “Bathrooms, too. And master suites. And I’ve been doing a lot of windows and doors.”
Yikes.
But what should you do first?
According to the Web site for the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association, www.scwbaonline.com, the top picks are:
-- Kitchens.
“Kitchens sell a home, so don’t skimp on the details. Keep in mind that if you are doing an extensive kitchen remodel, you might have to wait a few years to recoup your investment,” the Web site says.
-- Bathrooms.
“A bathroom remodel can often mean simply making the most of your current space by upgrading fixtures, flooring, and lighting,” the Web site said.
Weisensel said that he’s been working on creating master suites in homes. A master suite is a combination of bedroom, elaborate closet—or closets—and a bath-shower-powder room. The bathroom has become a relaxing spot, rather than simply a functional space.
In one home, Weisensel created a master suite with the current bathroom and then added a “mini bathroom” for visitors.
Most new homes have such master suites.
Homebuyers also are becoming more concerned about energy efficiency, and that means replacing doors and windows.
Tom Naatz of Naatz Construction agreed and said insulation both on the interior and exterior walls adds to a home’s value, too.
What’s the bottom line? How much will you get back?
Remodeling magazine produces an annual “Cost vs. Value Report” that looks at the consumer payback on remodeling. In 2007, the returns on mid-range remodels in the Madison area were:
-- Minor kitchen: 73.2 percent.
-- Major kitchen: 70.8 percent.
-- Master suite addition: 61.1 percent.
-- Additional bathroom: 57.6 percent.
-- Bathroom remodel: 60 percent to 61.1 percent.
“People ask me, ‘Will I get this money back?’” Weisensel said. “Yes, you’ll get a percentage, but not all, of your money back. But you’ll get the enjoyment of living with the new project.”
That means cupboards that don’t require GPS systems and a bathtub an adult can sit in.
What could be worth more?
Click here to view a map of locations in this year's Parade of Homes
IF YOU GO
What: South Central Wisconsin Builders Association 2008 Parade of Homes and Parade of Remodeled Homes.
Cost: Tickets are $5 in advance. Tickets are available at AnchorBank, Holiday Drive and Racine Street; Associated Bank; Bank of Milton; Blackhawk Community Credit Union, east, west, north; Johnson Bank, Main Street and Holiday Drive; M&I Banks, Janesville and Beloit; Marklein Builders; Marling Lumber; McCann Floors; Nelson Young Lumber; The Title Team; Wellnitz & Sarow Builders; Werner Electric Supply and the SCWBA Office.
Tickets are $6 during the event and can be purchased at any parade home. Children younger than 18 are admitted for free but must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information: Call the Parade of Homes hotline at (608) 755-8373.
Tour times for new homes:
-- Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7 and 13-14.
-- Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.
-- 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 11-12.
Tour times for remodeled homes:
-- Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14.
PARADE ROUTE
Addresses for new construction on the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association 2008 Parade of Homes and Parade of Remodeled Homes are:
-- Advantage Homes, 3286 Autumn Lane, Janesville.
-- Bogner Construction, 4213 Orion Drive, Janesville.
-- Evergreen Designs, 7738 W. Ellis Road, Hanover.
-- Lockhart Builders, 4293 Cascade Drive, Janesville.
-- Maplewood Homes, 5319 N. Northwood Trace, Janesville.
-- Marklein Builders, 2515 Arbor Ridge Way, Janesville.
-- MasterCraft Builders, 1030 Whippoorwill Way, Beloit.
-- Naatz Construction, 7336 S. Fossum Road, Brodhead.
-- Preferred Homes, 5731 W. Burrwood Drive, Janesville
-- Richards Construction, 2918 W. Pennycook Road, Janesville.
-- R.J. Hirsch Builders, 1136 Summerhill Drive, Janesville.
-- R.J. Hirsch Builders, 4614 N. Redwood Drive, Janesville
-- Sockness Builders, 5342 Kentwood Drive, Milton
-- Wellnitz & Sarow Builders, 4360 Huntington Ave., Janesville.
Addresses for remodeled homes are:
-- First Timothy Construction, 323 S. Garfield Ave., Janesville.
-- Richards Construction, 6156 W. Grand Videre Court, Janesville.
-- Marklein Builders, 3221 S. La Prairie Town Hall Road, Janesville.
-- Weisensel, 3913 Park View Drive, Janesville.
-- Prairie Craftsman, 4014 Hearthstone Drive, Janesville.
-- Webco, Inc., 1923 Pine Ridge Drive, Janesville.