Industry Outlook 2024: Remodeling and Renovation Trends Amid Rising Costs and Budget Constraints
By Rob Grant - November 6, 2024

As we move through 2024, the remodeling and renovations industry faces significant challenges. Rising inflation, material costs, and tighter budgets are putting pressure on both homeowners and contractors. Yet, even with increased expenses, a well-planned remodel can be a wise long-term investment—both financially and in terms of quality of life.

How Rising Costs Are Affecting Remodeling Projects

Inflation has impacted nearly every sector, and remodeling is no exception. Essential materials like cabinetry, flooring, and fixtures have seen price increases, straining project budgets. Labor costs have also climbed, driven by wage inflation across industries. For homeowners, these changes mean it’s crucial to approach remodeling projects with a focus on long-term value and smart budgeting.

Remodeling vs. Stock Market Investments: A Balanced Perspective

While the stock market can offer high returns over the long term, investing in your home through remodeling provides unique value. Unlike market investments, which fluctuate, a quality remodel offers lasting, tangible benefits that enhance daily life while increasing home value.
Consider a major kitchen remodel. If done with high-quality materials and energy-efficient features, it can add substantial equity to your home. Although the financial gains may not directly compete with a well-placed stock investment, a remodel brings the added benefit of creating a beautiful, functional space that you and your family can enjoy every day. Remodeling allows you to reap the rewards of both personal satisfaction and property appreciation.

Making Smart Choices: Balancing Cost and Long-Term Value

Today’s economic climate requires homeowners to look beyond aesthetics. Remodeling is about building a home that provides value over time. Strategic choices—such as energy-efficient upgrades, quality craftsmanship, and functional designs—can increase your home’s appeal and add meaningful value.
For example, an energy-efficient bathroom remodel may involve upfront costs, but over time, it saves on utility bills and attracts potential buyers. A remodel with the right focus can yield a “dual return”: it enhances your quality of life now and boosts your home’s value for the future.

The Value of Home Investment in Uncertain Times

In uncertain economic times, your home can be one of the most stable assets. Remodeling not only provides an upgraded living environment but also builds long-term equity. Families who prioritize projects that add space, energy efficiency, and aesthetics create a home that’s not only enjoyable but also financially rewarding in the long run.
For homeowners raising families, remodeling projects that improve functionality and comfort are a way to ensure both immediate enjoyment and future returns. While the ROI may not match the historical gains of the S&P 500, a remodel offers a unique advantage: it’s an investment that you and your family get to enjoy every day.

Conclusion: Making Remodeling Work for You in 2024

Navigating the remodeling landscape in 2024 requires careful planning and a focus on what truly matters. By approaching each project as a long-term investment, you can make upgrades that enhance both your daily life and your home’s market value. If you’re ready to invest in your home, reach out to me—Rob Grant, owner and operator, project manager, builder, carpenter, problem solver, and occasional fun haver at Grant Associates! Let’s bring your vision to life with quality and a bit of good humor along the way.

Service Areas and Expertise

​Grant Associates proudly serves homeowners in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland, Lincoln, Waltham, Arlington, Lexington, Newton, and other surrounding towns in Middlesex and Norfolk counties. We specialize in kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, energy-efficient upgrades, and custom home additions, bringing quality and a personal touch to every project for Massachusetts families.

The Battle with the Bleeding Stains: My Experience with Primers
By Rob Grant - August 2, 2024

While painting isn't the biggest challenge in residential remodeling, it's one area where issues can arise, especially when it comes to dealing with different substrates. In my work with Grant Associates LLC, providing remodels and renovations in Weston, Wellesley, and Wayland, Massachusetts, I've found that the choice of primer can make or break the final outcome of a project. Even though I don't see this issue as frequently in my service areas, when it does occur, it becomes particularly apparent with various shades of whites and off-whites. The primer’s ability to block stains, smoke damage, pet damage, or wear and tear becomes critical. Over the years, I’ve tested numerous primers, including some of the most highly regarded ones, but I've found that many still fall short, particularly in their ability to prevent bleed-through.

The Initial Problem: Ineffective Stain Blocking

There are countless issues that come up during a renovation, but one of the biggest pains I've encountered is when primers fail to block stains properly. I've used well-known products like Benjamin Moore’s INSL-X and Sherwin Williams' water-based shellac primers, among others. Despite following the 24-hour dry time recommendation, I've experienced bleed-through on several occasions. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've invested time and resources into what you hoped would be a foolproof solution.

Health Concerns and Product Efficacy

One major reason for choosing certain primers over others in projects is health and safety. Many of the effective stain-blocking primers require extensive personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilation due to their strong fumes and harsh chemicals. While these products, often oil-based or shellac-based, have proven their worth in blocking stains, they also pose significant health risks and are cumbersome to work with, especially when using a paint sprayer. Shellac primers, which are alcohol-based, are made by dissolving natural shellac resin in ethanol. This mixture allows the primer to dry quickly and adhere effectively to a variety of surfaces, providing excellent stain-blocking properties. Both shellac and oil-based primers require meticulous cleaning with mineral spirits or other suitable solvents, making them less practical for extensive use with paint sprayers and more suited for brush applications. Despite these challenges, they are often the only products that can effectively prevent stains from bleeding through, particularly when dealing with severe damage.

The Ineffectiveness of Water-Based Primers

In my experience working on remodels, I’ve had very little success when it comes to stain blocking with any water-based primer. While these primers are better for health and easier to clean up, they often fail to prevent bleed-through on stained surfaces. In multiple instances, I’ve applied several coats of PVA primer or other basic primers over standard wall paint when changing colors, only to see stains reappear. This not only wastes the product but also poses health risks, as some water-based primers are not suitable for use in poorly ventilated areas. Spraying multiple coats of ineffective primers, even water-based ones, can be dangerous due to ventilation health risks. Always use what works!

The Question of Substrate Replacement

A common question is why not replace the stained substrate entirely. While this is sometimes necessary—such as in cases of persistent mold in a bathroom ceiling—it’s not always feasible. For instance, in rooms with smoke damage or pet residue, completely replacing the substrate can be impractical. In such cases, a full coat or spot treatment with shellac or oil-based primer is often the most effective solution. This approach has been particularly effective in the renovations and remodels I've completed in Massachusetts.

Real-World Examples

I’ve advised customers in Weston and Wellesley on the limitations of primers, but some still sought alternative contractors. In one instance, despite my warnings, a customer chose an unlicensed handyman who cleaned the ceiling, applied a good stain-blocking primer, and followed with quality ceiling paint. Despite these efforts, I watched mold regrow on the ceiling. While working on a different part of the home over several months, the mold reappeared, highlighting the need to remove and replace the substrate. Another customer stopped communicating with me due to similar issues, only to discover that the substrate was unsuitable for painting.

Preparation: Sanding and Cleaning

Proper preparation is essential for effective stain blocking, especially in the detailed carpentry and painting work I do with Grant Associates LLC. Before applying primer, I recommend sanding the surface lightly with any suitable sanding material to ensure good adhesion. Cleaning the surface thoroughly is also crucial, especially when dealing with pet stains and smoke residue. Using mineral spirits to clean these areas can help remove contaminants and provide a better surface for the primer to adhere to. This step can significantly enhance the primer's effectiveness in blocking stains and preventing bleed-through.

Successful Stain Blocking with Shellac and Oil-Based Primers

Through trial and error in my various projects over the years, I’ve found that shellac or oil-based primers are the most reliable for blocking stains. Whether dealing with smoke-damaged walls, pet stains, or other types of residue, these primers have consistently performed well. In particular, shellac products can be spot-sprayed to salvage wood and effectively block stains, even when other highly-rated primers have failed.

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