Changing Times

Niche Market Resources Tap the following resources to gain some competitive intelligence about a few of the up-and-coming niche opportunities in remodeling:

NAHB Remodelors Council CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) program. Call 800.368.5242 x8154, e-mail capsinfo@nahb.com, or visit www.nahb.org.

Universal Design Alliance. Call 770.667.4593, e-mail info@universaldesign.org, or visit www.universaldesign.org.

Center for Universal Design. Call 800.647.6777, e-mail cud@ncsu.edu, or visit http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud.

National Trust for Historic Preservation. Call 202.588.6000 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Call 800.611.6274, e-mail info@nari.org, or visit www.nari.org.

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Call 202.546.3480 or visit www.asid.org.

REMODELING magazine. Visit our sister publication’s Web site, www. remodelingmagazine.com, for information, articles, and the Cost vs. Value report.

Room additions remain a staple in the remodeling industry, providing building material dealers with ample opportunities to serve remodelers and contractors from the frame to the finishes. Whole-house remodels are fairly novel, but are gaining popularity as homeowners look to make their old homes more flexible to meet their families’ changing lifestyle needs. Kitchen renovation and remodeling projects offer homeowners an excellent return on investment, while exterior upgrades, including siding and roofing, can be big-ticket items for pro dealers that cater to remodeling contractors.