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MARCH 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net Community | 21 DUN Renovation Boom Local contractors and designers sag pandemic has spurred desire for improved space Two projects from CR Home Design Center: A renovated kitchen offers more prep room and easy-to-clean surfaces, while homeowners are craving creature comforts like a new master bathroom (inset). BY COLLIN KELLEY The strength of the real estate mar ket during the pandemic has received plenty of media coverage, but home renovators and interior designers have also kept busy this past year. As a mat ter of fact, the desire to improve, up grade, and add space to existing homes is going “gangbusters,” according to one contractor. Warner McConaughey of Ham- merSmith (hammersmith.net) said business has been “through the roof” thanks to the pandemic. He said with people spending more time at home along with working and going to school there, too, it has meant a big demand for additional space or the creation of new space in existing structures. “People are wanting to create any kind of space anywhere they can,” Mc Conaughey said. “We've made offices or places for kids to study out of clos ets, carriage houses, sheds, and in base ments. Before the pandemic, people wanted big, open floor plans, but now they want to create nooks and corners for offices and study so they can have a quiet corner space for Zoom calls.” Revamping and creating outdoor space is also huge, McConaughey said. “People are even spending time out in the cold weather, so we’ve seen requests for more fire pits, heaters, and creating outdoor living spaces. There’s also been a big increase in the demand for swim ming pools.” McConaughey said he’s also seen homes become more multigeneration- al, with space being created to welcome aging parents and grandparents. Virginia Van Lear with Level Craft Construction (levelcraftatlanta.com) said business was “gangbusters” be cause everyone wants more space. “We’ve had customers doubling their square footage, wanting to update and upgrade everything, and in some cases completely rebuilding,” she said. Van Lear said now that everyone has grown comfortable working and learn ing at home, she expects more people will continue to do so even when the pandemic passes. “People want a lot more space for home schooling and offices,” Van Lear said. “I’ve talked to homeowners and they said their kids love learning at home and they’ve been more produc tive working at home, so lots of people are never going back to a traditional of fice or classroom. Initially, Van Lear was concerned that the home renovation business would drop like a rock as the pandemic progressed. “I’ve been very surprised,” she admitted. “I thought we’d have an other 2008 recession situation on our hands with people hunkering down and holding on to their money. It’s been the opposite.” Mark Fosner with Moon Bros. (moonbros.com) said he’s read about the hot real estate market, but it ap pears to him that more people are stay ing put and improving their current liv ing space. Like other renovators, he’s seen a big demand for outdoor living space. “We’ve seen a massive demand for Continued on page 22
