Why Remodel?

The first of what will seem like an endless number of questions you'll have throughout your remodeling project is: Why remodel? Your answer may be obvious or subtle. In general, there typically is no overriding reason, but rather several. Most people who remodel want to update ther homes with more and modern amenities: a family room, an updated kitchen, a master bedroom suite, a bathroom bigger than a shoebox, skylights, a deck.

Remodeling jobs are often coupled with, if not driven by, a need for more space. Most American homes are entering at least their third decade of existence. All you have to do is think back to mainstream housing design of the 1960s and earlier to uncover undersized bedrooms, cramped kitchens, 40-square foot main bathrooms and one-car garages. It doesn't matter that the size of the average household is shrinking in numbers; the fact is, we have more stuff, we enjoy different and changing lifestyles, and --frankly-- we're tired of bumping into each other.

Yet, despite their shortcomings, homes of the past have a certain charm --they are close to everything else we like. They are in the neighborhoods we grew up in. There's a good school around the block. You can walk to the store. One thing about remodeling: It sure beats moving.

The first order of business is to start thinking about what you want to improve about your home. Some people call it brainstorming --in your case, it means calling out anything and everything that's annoying, distracting, troublesome, inadequate, seemingly worthless, or just plain wrong about your house. As you look through our site, take out a piece of paper, a pencil, and seriously consider how your house accomodates your needs and lifestyle, how and when those needs might change, and whether there is a value to improving the situation. Visit our resources page for information and inspiration, or get a copy of our easy-print Design Checklist and write down some brief comments and ideas about certain areas of your home.

Evaluating your house

Houses in the early 1900's to 1929 usually contain a vast array of architectural qualities that make them very worthy candidates for extensive projects. After the stock-market crash in 1929, houses became much more modest. The scale and finishes were usually cut back. Things gradually improved until our entry into World War II. Once the war was over, mass production housing started and quality was further reduced in order to increase production.

The 50's brought out design theories begun decades earlier but now becoming popular. They were fed in part by the technological advances made in manufacturing. The "machine for living" as well as the "ranch" are just a couple concepts that began to shape standard American housing. This trend continued to be refined in the 60's.

The 70's brought the oil embargo which creating an overnight interest in energy conservation. House design started to concentrate on energy savings which in included passive as well as active solar systems.

Each of these listed qualities of housing present their own unique problems that we normally address during the design phase and change as part of the construction process.

Early Houses in Charlotte

Houses of the 20's--Wilmore, Westly heights, Elizabeth, Myers Park, Mid-Wood, Dilworth
Houses of the 30's--Myers Park, Eastover, Dilworth, Mid-Wood
Post War