Introduction

Remodeling a whole house is not recommended for a first-time home buyer whose level of remodeling knowledge may be limited to finding a stud on the second or third try. Such an effort is best handled by a homeowner who has lived in enough houses to know exactly what he or she wants and who has come across the perfect (if run-down) house or ideal location where remodeling rather than building makes sense.

Remodeling an entire house -- perhaps tearing down interior walls, rearranging rooms, or making a substantial addition to the house -- requires a unified vision of what the resulting space should be. Anna Mavrakis, an interior designer with TNL Design/Build in Canton, Ohio, and a regional vice president for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), says "People create their own pitfalls, but you an avoid that if you do your homework. You have to know what you want, and you have to feel comfortable with the professional you use. Go with the person you feel 'right' with - -not the guy who's giving you a bargain."

The one attitude you must bring to this endeavor is patience. Your newly remodeled home won't happen overnight. Depending on the level of construction, it might even be best to live in separate quarters away from the job site; if that's impossible, be prepared for the construction to last longer with you on the premises.

Mavrakis adds, "Be prepared for a lot of dust - -and I mean a lot. No matter how well rooms are sealed off, construction dust gets everywhere. Hire someone to clean your house from top to bottom afterward, including inside all cabinets."

That depends. Mavrakis offers this viewpoint: "We see a lot of two-income families that are remodeling their house from top to bottom. They're in good neighborhoods, and because both are working, they're hoping to retire earlier."

Mavrakis adds, "These homeowners anticipate having more free time in the near future, and they're concentrating on getting their house in order so that they can enjoy it."

The upshot is, if you plan on remaining in your home for many years, go ahead and do a thorough update. The years you live there will be all that more enjoyable. If you move shortly after completing a whole-house remodeling, however, odds are good you won't recoup all your expenses.

Remodeling from top to bottom, or adding a substantial two-story addition, for example, are expensive undertakings. You can keep things under control, however, if you keep on track.

"People don't understand costs," Mavrakis says. "It's because we're a hush-hush society regarding money. Be up front with your budget. Share what you can afford. I compare remodeling with car shopping. If you can only afford a Ford Escort, you don't test-drive a Lincoln Continental, do you?"

Mavrakis adds, "Some people try to cut costs by acting as their own general contractor, too. Sometimes this works, but more often it doesn't -- especially if the homeowner works full time. With a general contractor (or other professional), you can get something that's really solid, really beautiful."

Get free estimates for room remodeling.

"A lot of clients ask, 'Will I get my money back?' We tell them if that's a big concern, contact a [real-estate agent] for some advice before starting a whole-house remodeling project," Mavrakis says. "Or find a contractor who's been in the business in your city for a long time. He'll know if your house, in your neighborhood, warrants a big-scale remodel.

To help you gauge the cost of a whole-house redo, consider the research included in the November 1999 issue of Remodeling magazine. This trade publication's annual "Cost vs. Value Report" compared costs in 60 cites to build a 16x24-foot two-story addition over a crawlspace. The first flour housed a family room with a prefabricated fireplace, and the second floor included a bedroom with a 5x8-foot bathroom outfitted with modest amenities. The project included 11 windows, an exterior door, and a new heating and cooling system to handle the additional square footage.

Nationwide, the 768-square-foot addition cost an average of $73,553 or $95.77 per square foot. The average return was 62 percent ($45,910) of the investment if the house sold the following year.

Whether you're gutting the interiors or adding multiple levels, your whole-house remodeling budget will depend on many factors. Just keep in mind that it's best not to remodel your house out of the property value range of your neighborhood.

Looking for more information on remodeling? Check out these Web sites:

Handyman Online provides a contractor referral service for small jobs, such as painting, on up to major remodeling projects.

Handyman Online

Improvenet offers a referral service for prescreened contractors available in your area, and more.

Improvenet

Check out the Web site for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Here's the Web site for the Remodelors Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Remodelors Council