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Show Friday, January 7. THK DAILY HhRALD, Home 2tXX), Magamc 7 Payc ateiial, labor shortages delay remodeling projects By ALAN J. HEAVENS Knight Ridder Newspapers sp. If nothing else, this year's Remodeling magazine survey of projects home-improveme- ft i and their value at resale time 0V'- - offers substantial proof that the costs of such work have risen sharply over the last five years. An example: A Philadelphia homeowner who paid a contractor to make a few changes to the kitchen spent an average of $9,867 in r999. In 1994, the same job cost $6,546, an increase of 50 percent. The specs of the job were the same: In a functional but kitchen dated with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops, refin-iscabinets and add new raised-pane- l wood doors; wall install energy-efficieoven and cooktop, laminate sink countertops, and faucet, wall covering, and resilient flooring; and repaint. A major kitchen remodeling throwing out what you have and starting from costs 84 percent scratch more today than in 1994: $35,443 versus $19,276. The difference between the two projectsother than scope, ja the return on investment at resale. A homeowner who did a minor kitchen remodel this year can expect to recoup 72 percent of costs when the house is sold, according to the ot h mid-price- T" Uli .V' u job. v.-- . messages. It is a fact that the sustained residential contwo years to struction boom four years, depending on the region of the United States has created shortages of building materials and qualified labor. Remodelers and builders are competing for the same resources, and builders with the deepest pockets appear to be winning the battle. The materials shortage primarily drywall, insulation, lumber, cement and brick resulted from sustained building activity coupled with the failure of many suppliers to . Competition up What do the data tell us? At best, they send mixed - .. ' J'99'000 'X'' -" -r- U 1 J rambler w3bd, 2 bth fin' Built In 1997. Nice area of $300,000 - $400,000 home. Btfl mln Westf.eld RE. yiews f99.000. RoV368-034- t m"' Li ! Westfield RE. - t I I J IWMNJI I&1H ... . f ,,;v- - . 1 m mm ur n Call Rob Clauson I fTlOrP fnr ! n.b. UJPCfflPli in the National Association of Realtors magazine, which is published and distributed during the association's annual convention, held this year in Orlando, Fla., in early November. Part of the reason is to provide guidelines to real estate agents when sellers ask how to increase the value of a house at resale time. The danger of remodeling to sell a house is that "many owners of older houses tend to go all new and glittery instead of saving the things that make years. The cost of a major kitchen remodeling increased 26 per- cent between 1994 and 1997, a review of the magazine's surshowed. However, veys between 1997 and 1999, the cost rose 45 percent. The Remodeling magazine survey results have, been included for the last two years iSlPIISIII See REMODEL, I Highland qmmmm 1MS mini in r miii mm J 1 n n information West field RL 368-034- 5 niriiiiiT ir n mini On Ijrrfr.: SPRGVL- - Reduced $14,000 below appraisal. 3 bed, 2,5 bath, formal dining, family room, Ira laundry, new interior. $175,900 Russ 368- 5962 westfield RE. ' f I - P. J 1 CUTE Multi-levhome! 100 finished! 4bd, 2bth, 2 car garage, great family room .21 acres. Beautiful yard. $145,000. Call Westfield RE. Rob Clauson I ..xs V'Jt?lc ZZ - .. i- ' -.. 1 J 71 Carter Ridqe sbdvn. Btfl area w $250,000 to $325,000 homes Open fir plan 4bd, 2 12be, .38 ac, views WalkKXJt bsmt. $250,000! Rob Clauson Westfield RE. LEHI- - OREM-N- I Alpine mooq I - v r & Call Rob for more CVtHTO I A; construction magazine surveys over the ir EHHHHIHHHHMMBMHBMMiMIHMMnMMMHHnMMMMMM il (f you list with me. ; yj&p 1 will sell your. fiR-O- in lAZ2MZJZAZAZjr or'payyou $50of I HGHLND- - Great home for price! 4bd, 2 bth, btfl Alpine Shadow area. Lramnllrpfc, 2 fam rm$ ,80 ac of horse prop! Cyn views $269,900, 5 '"'.-- , i have difficulties finding labor. The effects of higher material and labor costs have been more pronounced in the last two years than in the previous three, an observation borne out by comparing Remodeling expand production capacity. As result, there have been drywall shortages throughout the country this year, delaying remodeling projects. The cost of drywall has risen 10 percent to 20 percent this year compared with last year. Labor shortages also have delayed remodeling projects and made them more costly. A survey taken in January of builders the attending National Association of Home Builders' annual convention in Dallas found that 35 percent were expecting problems with obtaining drywall and that 75 percent expected to - Y ' - ,. 'MrtTV' , a ITTt AyADjj8irii WM& hfe rk ..g . Milgm niuaci pnmi' percent. In 1994, the return was 97 percent for the minor remodel and 90 percent for the major Rob Clauson mm.-- -sst Going up: Remodeling costs have risen sharply in the last few years, partly as a result of the boom will make back almost 100 ' ... , t, ia V magazine survey. One who did i i"-- f.- d the major kitchen remodel t v rr, 18 |