As home values rise, so does the rate of remodeling

Homeowners in Billings are tackling remodeling projects at a faster pace than last year, according to some local builders.

The Billings economy has remained steady through the downturn and this spring consumers seem more confident, said Jeremy Freyenhagen, who runs the one-stop design/build remodeling company, Freyenhagen Construction.

Now the roof has kind of come off, he said. Were getting calls left and right and were having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

Stabilizing or rising home values and lower construction costs are making remodeling projects more economical, according to Remodeling Magazine, which tracks the costs versus the payback when the house sells.

No project ever pays for itself completely, but remodelers can now recapture nearly 61 percent of their costs. That is the first improvement in six years, according to Remodeling Magazine, and is nearly 3 percentage points higher than the low point.

The most cost-effective remodeling projects remain kitchens and master baths.

Some people are getting rid of their dining rooms. There are just huge islands in kitchens for people to gather, said Candi Freyenhagen, who works mostly with color coordination.

Most customers want master bedrooms with custom baths, she said, and some baths even have coffee nooks.

The Freyenhagens just returned from a national remodeling conference in New Orleans, La., where the latest upgrade was pop-up appliances controlled by a button.

The appliances go up and down, so yourcountertopremains flat and clean, she said.

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As home values rise, so does the rate of remodeling