2009: Your Year to Renovate
If your thinking, “Ha, no way! In this economy?”
Think again!

Material prices are falling, making renovations more affordable than ever. Overall, experts say, you can expect to save at least 10% on the cost of a renovation and possibly more, depending on where you live and the project you choose. And if prices on many remodeling materials continue to decline as projected over the next few months, the cost of home improvements should fall even further.

Lumber Prices: A collapse in homebuilding has slashed demand for lumber, pushing prices to their lowest level since 1991, but lumber prices will head even lower until mills cut output more than they already have. Forecasters expect demand for lumber to fall 14% in 2009 – the lowest level since 1982. See the story online.

Drywall: When home building is strong, as it was until about a year ago, USG and other drywall makers were thriving. USG raised prices for its Sheetrock brand of drywall 18% in 2005 and 25% in 2006. Then home building slowed and demand dropped, leaving drywall makers with too much capacity. USG has already cut production by 18%. Prices are down.

These aren’t the only items declining in price. Look for items made with copper, cast iron and asphalt.

Yet another benefit: Putting money into needed repairs and updates now should help your home maintain its value. If you’ve got home updates, contact SGR Handyman Division by phone or email at info@SGRHandyman.com to schedule a time to create your punch list and schedule work for spring.

Designing Your Dream File
At SGR we talk a lot with homeowners starting the renovation process about their “dream file.” It is their personal file of ideas for how they see their renovation project when it’s done—pictures, images, words. Creating a dream file takes time, thought and patience. In the end, it’s worth it when homeowners see their project become reality.

Envision Your Dream
Use your imagination to see the idea’s look and layout of the renovation space. If your imagination isn’t imaging, don’t worry, this is not uncommon. Instead go to a blank sheet of paper and list what would be important for you to see in the new renovation with the most important first—more storage space or more living area, for example. Go from the most important to the least. Having this dream list created prior to the first meeting with your remodeler is a great first step. We are good at asking questions, if you need the help!

Define Your Dream
This is the time for photos and pictures. It is a perfect way to be able to express design tastes to show us exactly what you are looking for in your dream. Take pictures of spaces you like or cut out pictures from magazines to show your taste and style. This helps us come up with a couple of design layouts and get started working together.

Design your Dream
This is when the fun really happens! We discussed what is important to you in the renovation, asked a lot of tough questions and viewed lots of photos. We now take all of your ideas to designers like Gary Nance, who puts your dream to paper. We come back with a couple of different plans for your review and keep working until you see your final dream on paper. How cool is that? Dream to reality!

SGR Supports Dress for Success Indianapolis
Steve Gray Renovations and partners Kevin Kinder Indy Craft Painting and Charlie Meyer of California Closets teamed up this month to provide a Garage Renovation Package to Dress for Success Indianapolis’ 10th Birthday Bash live auction. Proceeds directly benefit DFSI programs that promote the economic independence of women in our community.

We hope you found our newsletter helpful. Click here to view all of the previous editions. If you have any questions, please email us, we will be happy to assist and respond.

Thanks!
Steve Gray

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