Staying at home

Think of it as "This Old House" in Colorado Springs, but without Norm and the rest of the guys.

Single-family homes with new countertops and staircases, redesigned bathrooms and kitchens, and whole-room additions and exterior face-lifts will be showcased next week as part of the area's first Remodeled Homes Tour.

The Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, which conducts a Parade of Homes annually to show off new houses and building techniques, will put the spotlight on remodeling.

The tour will feature 17 properties with some of the latest home improvements by general contractors and remodeling specialists. The work ranges from $50,000 to $60,000 worth of cabinets, countertops and other upgrades that were part of a kitchen makeover to a $250,000-to-$270,000 whole-house remodeling that features a new kitchen, den, custom staircase and laundry room.

New-home building has slumped locally the past few years, but remodeling has remained steady and even picked up. In May, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department issued 1,100 permits for residential alternations, such as additions and basement finishes. During the same month last year, 918 permits were issued, and two years ago, the number was 976.

One reason for the upswing: When the economy is strong, consumers buy homes or invest in remodeling, said Mark Witte, co-owner of Dream-Maker Bath & Kitchen in the Springs.

As the economy slumps, consumers hesitate about buying new homes or resales, but they continue to consider remodeling because they see it as a solid investment in something that's already theirs, Witte said.

Colorado Springs has thousands of homes that are candidates for remodeling, said Kenton Pass, owner of Kenton Pass & Co., a residential construction firm and head of the HBA's remodelers' council.

In addition to older neighborhoods such as the Old North End or Rustic Hills, homeowners who purchased five to seven years ago in Stetson Hills and other fast-growing neighborhoods are finishing their basements or installing new windows, he said.

For many homeowners, Pass said, remodeling allows them to have more space or update amenities without moving from their neighborhood.

"It's a lifestyle choice," Pass said. "Kids are growing up. They don't want to leave the area, school or neighborhoods. Yet, maybe they need to expand out the back. They want to increase the value of their home."

For other people, remodeling saves them the hassle of moving across town or the paperwork involved in buying a home, said Scott Lauther, co-owner of Links Construction in Colorado Springs.

Among the most popular remodeling projects: kitchens and bathrooms, Witte said.

IF YOU GO

What: The Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs' Remodeled Homes Tour, showcasing some of the area's latest remodeling styles and techniques.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14-15.

Where: 17 home sites; 14 in Colorado Springs and one each in Monument, Falcon and Crystola.

Details and tickets: $8 each for adults; under 18, free. A ticket allows entry to all homes on both days. A portion of proceeds goes to HBA Cares.

More information, home locations: 592-1800; www.cshba.com