3 minute read
Remodeling 101 with Joel Walter
Interview by Megan Smith / Photography by Karli Moore / Layout by Atlas Biro
The Joint Center for Housing Studies reported that Americans were estimated to have spent $427B on home improvement projects in 2022, with kitchen and bathroom remodeling leading the way. And while their quarterly LIRA report predicts a drop in home renovation spending in 2023 due to a cooling housing market, the desire for the comforts of home will always remain.
Recently Joel Walter, President & Founder of NJW Construction here in central Ohio, sat down to answer a handful of our home remodeling questions. Joel is a Certified Remodeler (CR), a Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR), and a certified Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP).
Megan Smith: What licensing and credentials should a contractor have?
Joel Walter: Licensing from local jurisdictions is a must. Taking it a step further, ask for credentials and further education. These are typically offered through the National Association of Remodeling and the BIA and can include professional certifications such as Certified Remodeler, Universal Design Certified Professional, and Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Professional.
MS: What sorts of projects have you seen mid-Ohio homeowners most interested in tackling in recent months and why?
JW: The projects we see are improvements to create better lifestyles at home. Bathrooms and kitchens are still the mainstays, with people working towards the efficiency of these spaces, comfort, and having their personal touch on the project.
MS: What question do you wish more clients asked in the initial consultation that they don’t think to ask?
JW: I want to switch this question up and ask what clients do not realize from the initial consultation. The biggest mistake I see is homeowners not leaving enough time for the design and selection process. Once the client decides to move forward, the design process (blueprints, interior design, and reviews) can move quite smoothly once started by being thorough from the start.
MS: Locally, where do you see building/remodeling trends going over the next few years?
JW: The modern rustic look has been very popular. In the exteriors of homes, we see darker palettes with tie-ins of natural woods. The interior of the home's paint colors is getting more creative but staying with the warm and soft palettes with natural materials.
