While we’re probably partial to the area since we live here, we do think it’s the entire Shoreview, Arden Hills, White Bear Lake area that really deserves to receive this award. Arden Hills is a nice little pocket, but with no real downtown, I think it’s a little odd that we received a small town award. Nonetheless, hopefully this bodes well for area property values.

Check out Money magazine’s full list of top small towns here.

Practical remodel projects might mean:

• Curb appeal projects or other cosmetic fixes for resale
• Functional and/or essential remodeling jobs such as new windows and exterior doors or other ways to save on long-term energy costs
• Projects that think “green” including money-saving for the long-term
• Remodeling jobs to make the house more suitable for your family due to an inability to easily sell your home and mov

Check out this recent article from WalletPop.com on what energy tax credits are still available in 2011.

Our top picks:

• Insulation
• Windows
• HVAC upgrades

“After years of shelving projects and doing only improvements deemed absolutely necessary, more homeowners are dusting off their remodeling plans this year as they grow more hopeful about the economy.” So says writer Amy Hoak in her piece about the next phase of growth for remodeling.

Reasons why remodeling is poised for a hot comeback:

• It’s still a buyer’s market for remodeling work. Contractors aren’t fully booked, so you’re often able to get a better rate than you might in more prosperous times.
• Many homeowners are planning to stay put in their current homes until the housing market rebounds, making remodeling a necessity  as families expand or needs change.
• Similarly, many homeowners have had remodeling plans in the works for some time, but due to economic uncertainties, have been reluctant to move forward. Now that it seems the economy is working towards a rebound, many are ready to take the plunge.

Contact Eric at 651.208.5688 for details on making your remodel dreams a reality going in to this Minnesota spring.

1. Supporting craftspeople in your own area is good karma and good business.
2. Local products emit less pollution, because they’re made right here vs. being shipped around the world.
3. We think local materials make sense in a home, and if they’re natural products like stone or wood, they help your house to feel like it “fits” with the environment in which it’s built.

To that end, here’s one cool local producer that we recently found: North Prairie TileWorks http://www.handmadetile.com/  Check them out if you’re looking for some more interesting tile options; so much more beautiful that the “perfect” look of mass tile producers. We’re planning to use their tiles in our upcoming kitchen remodel.

And send us your favorite local producer tips, too! We’ll work to build a local guide to share as we build up our list of faves.

And if you’re going to be trapped indoors for the long dark winter, you might appreciate completing a few home renovations before that season hits.

With more and more families choosing to stay put in their current home vs. trying to sell in a challenging housing market, we’re experiencing an increase in remodeling work.

Warmth-related remodeling ideas:

-Remodel your master or main family bathroom and install in-floor radiant heating. It’s energy efficient and makes for luxuriously warm toes when you step on the tile post-shower.

-Update your kitchen. On chilly winter days, that’s where the family always congregates. Make it work better, feel more inviting and provide traffic flow with updates including taking down walls, installing an island, or simply updating with the latest materials.

Warm and welcoming kitchen as a family gathering spot.

-Take the man cave to the next level. Finish off that basement for maximum Vikings game and poker night potential. Or, for a more well-rounded approach, create a family-friendly lower-level space that combines TV, games, kids areas, and a wine bar for the adults.

-Kids driving you nuts? Transform the master bedroom into a grown-up retreat, complete with a fireplace, if possible!

-Were wet, cold socks the bane of your existence last winter? Envision an entry area where boots aren’t stacked and where you can walk freely, in socks, without fear of stepping in a puddle. We can work with your existing space to create a more efficient and warm entry area that keeps clutter to a minimum.

While I’m bummed that the lovely Arden HIlls (where we call home) didn’t make the list, I’m glad to see that so many of our local cities made the cut. Frequently cited reasons for Minnesota city popularity include schools, safe/quiet streets, access to outdoors and quaint community centers.

While many in the housing business have been feeling negative in the past few years, there are a lot of things to be grateful for here in Minnesota. For us, while new home-building has really fallen off, we’re meeting lots of families who are deciding to stay put in their homes and upgrade or add on to their existing home. As we’ve said before, there are a lot of benefits to remodeling, including being greener than new home building, saving money through not incurring costly realtor fees, and taking advantage of the super low home equity loans available now.

Check out their July 12 story “The Best Places to Live 2010″ for CNN Money’s full scoop on the Best Places to Live 2010.

Remodeling saves money

While the Minneapolis housing market may be improving, many homeowners would have to slash their prices in order to unload their homes. Instead of selling to move to a bigger and better home, remodeling activities are a practical option to get a bigger kitchen, an extra bedroom, new basement usable square footage or just nicer spaces overall.

It’s a great time to remodel in the Minneapolis-area, especially if you can handle a little bit of turbulence while staying put in your current home. Construction companies are getting busier, but you’ll still have ample companies willing to bid to renovate your home, and you’ll likely find some good deals (though price should never be the sole factor when you pick a contractor partner).

Check out the CNNMoney article above, and contact us if you’re interested in seeing how to invest more in the home you already love rather than deal with the hassles of selling.

Here are Constructive Builders’ Top 5 Remodeling Projects for fall:

1. Finish the basement. The whole family is about to be cooped up together and when this happens more room makes  for a happier home. Get that basement finished up so you have another place to put: in-laws, rowdy kids, football watchers, holiday visitors, the drum set your kids get for x-mas, etc.
2. Updgrade the kitchen. Kitchen remodels have some of the best return on investment, and it’s where your family spends the most of time, especially as the days turn shorter and the holiday  come around. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Depending on what you have in place, there are creative ways to remodel without gutting the entire space.
3. Fireplace renovations. Have an ugly hearth or a generic fireplace with no real character? Fall is a great time to spend a little bit to turn your fireplace in to a showpiece in your home. Tiling around the fireplace, adding a new custom wood mantle, or replacing the hearth can really jazz up this home feature, and the renovation will look great for Christmas stockings.
4. Entertainment rooms. Are you ready for some football? Get your entertainment area in order this fall, whether it’s adding a room in the basement, adding built-ins for a new entertainment center or adding on to your house so that you have a dedicated area for TV and movie-viewing. This is a must-have room for winter sports, movie nights, kids sleepovers and more.  Top features to consider: theater seating, acoustics, big screens, and electrical component containment.
5. Remodel the guest bathroom. Before you have holiday company, spruce up the guest bathroom. Because a powder room doesn’t usually have as many fixtures as a master bath,  this kind of remodel can be affordable. And, because all your guests see this room, you get a lot of  “wow” power for your investment. A few ideas:  an awesome sink with a custom faucet to add class and visual interest, new tile for floors and walls, new sink and toilet fixtures to update to the current styles, combining low-cost paint and wallpaper with modern lighting and new mirrors.

From small to large, remodeling in the fall will result in new spaces that you’ll love come winter. Don’t forget to contact us with any questions!

1. Make a list of everything you want remodeled in your home. Then, go through and number each item on that list in order of priority. A lot of times we’ll go to a client’s home only to be innundated with “wants”, with no real sense of what is a priority or what is realistic for the budget. Prioritizing before we arrive helps both of us to focus. It’s also nice for us to see everything that you’d like done in the long run, because sometimes it’s inefficient to do things piece by piece. For example, if you want new trim, new cabinets and new flooring, it would make sense to do these all at once vs. separately.

2. Set your budget. You don’t have to tell the builder your maximum budget if you don’t want to, but giving us a range is really helpful to save time. We can fit as many of the items from your priority list into that budget as possible, but not waste time bidding sections that are outside of the scope of your financial realities right now.

3. If it’s a major remodel, consider the timeline and alternate living arrangements. If you need a pop-top or a complete kitchen remodel and addition, you’ll want to consider the best timing for the project. Scheduling for the nastiest part of the work to be done while you’re on vacation, or when you can stay somewhere else, may be a good idea. It allows your builder to work longer hours to get things done and minimizes the stress and hassle on you, your family and your pets! Also, if you’re going to have portions of your home exposed to the outdoors, September in Boulder County works a lot better than January.

4. Think about the division of labor. Are there things in the remodeling project that you’d like to own? If you enjoy shopping for materials, we’re happy to let you pick out your own tile, sink, woodwork, etc. However, if the difference between baseboard, casing and crown moldings is lost on you, it might make sense to let us handle all the shopping.  Want to enlist your family and friends to help paint the newly taped walls? No problem!

Knowing what you can handle helps us to reduce the bid accordingly to save you money. Being realistic about how much or little you really want to take on is good too!

5. Check references, licenses and insurances- but also go with your gut!  There are a lot of builders and remodelers to choose from. Most of those can provide you with references and insurance certificates. Beyond that, pick someone that you like and who has an obvious passion for their work!  Will you be anxious if this person is in your home while your kids watch TV in the next room? Do you like your remodeler’s demeanor and sense of design style? Go with your gut and don’t settle until you’ve found a remodeler you feel comfortable with.

Remodeling projects of all sizes can make a big difference in your quality of life and the resale value of your home. And, while there are bound to be a few inconveniences, they don’t have to be hell to live through!