A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News•Friday, June 13, 2025
WHAT’S HOT IN REMODELING TRENDS
WBY KATIE SMITH
hether you’re an HGTV fanatic, love to tackle home DIY projects, or always hire a pro to update your home, we all know what we like when we see it. Maybe a visit to your favorite restaurant sparks something deep inside of you and lets you know it’s time to do some updating. Or perhaps you like to keep things clean, simple, and classic to make it easier to change out pillows, rugs, and throws because that’s what brings you joy.
Home trends come and go just like every other trend, and it can be fun to be in the know while keeping your own style. We’ve seen everything from the rust oranges of the 70s, deep mauves and shiny gold of the 90s, and who didn’t get a little shabby chic crazy in the early 2000’s when it seemed like many of us were slipcovering every pieces of furniture and painting at least one thing white and sanding it down.
We talked with James Belanger, owner of J.A. Belanger Inc. of Topsham, who let us in on the latest home trends. Right now, he says he sees lots of customers keeping things simple and using what they already have.
“Customers are into large tiles, especially for floors, and matching the grout color to the tile,” he says.
This creates a cohesive look, can make your space look larger, and is great when you have a dark color tile since we all know white grout can yellow very quickly. Especially when it’s on the floor.
“Black windows are more popular than white right now,” says Belanger, who chose black windows when remodeling his own home. They have a sharp appearance and while they are usually more expensive than white windows, they are the one thing homeowners are willing to splurge on.
“Black is just as classic as white and it won’t be a purchase that any homeowner is going to regret during the lifetime of the windows.”
Homeowners are keeping colors clean and simple too. Belanger sees lots of customers doing shades of white in different sheens. White paint is another design choice that’s been around a long time and will stay. It also appeals to potential buyers if you are fixing up your home with the intent to sell in the future.
These days, most homeowners are using what they already have, which is a change in the last few years.
“Remodeling always used to be more expensive [than building new], but now with the new insulation codes, it is more expensive to build new so people are working with what’s already there, instead of tearing out walls and starting new.”
SOME INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO GIVE YOUR HOME A LITTLE FACELIFT:
Paint it. From your cabinets to your floors to an accent wall, paint gives you the most bang for your buck. Depending on the size of the project, it can likely be done in a weekend — and redone when you get tired of it and want a fresh color.
Change your knobs. If you don’t want to completely redo your cabinets, even if they are dated, updating the handles and knobs can give your entire kitchen a simple makeover.
Shiplap. Do one wall, the back of your kitchen island, or around your fireplace. You can buy faux shiplap panels, hire an expert to do it, or create your own shiplap look with aged barn wood.
FROM GARAGE TO LIVING SPACE
Tips from the pros for converting your garage
BY STEPHANIE BOUCHARD
If you have a garage but, like many Mainers, aren’t using it for your vehicles, maybe it’s time to clear out the sporting equipment, trash, and recycling receptacles, gardening tools, kids’ toys, and who knows how many years of accumulated stuff you don’t use anymore to convert your garage into living space to use for yourself or to rent out.
A garage can be converted into a variety of living spaces — from a home office to a bedroom for guests or your teenager, to a full-blown studio apartment. How simple or difficult the project is and what it’ll cost you depends on what you want to do, whether you’ll be doing it by yourself, and what your budget is, said Ryan Francis, owner of Maine Construction Group in Eddington and Mike Jastram, owner of Belfast Carpentry in Belfast.
Let’s talk money first. A full garage conversion — that is plumbing, electrical, sheet rocking, insulation, painting, flooring, windows and doors, heating and cooling, and fixtures — will likely cost at least $50,000, Jastram said. And it could be much more if structural changes need to be made, such as if you want to leave the garage space for your car and add a floor above it for the new living space.
Converting your garage could also be less if you’re doing something simple, say, creating additional storage space. Doing it yourself versus hiring tradespeople also could reduce the cost. And a garage conversion is a great DIY project, Jastram said.
“It would be a great project to cut your teeth on if you have never done anything like that before because it’s all inside (work),” he said.
That said, if you are inexperienced, there are some things you should leave to the professionals.
“You should hire someone to do the electric,” he said. “That’s one thing where the details are not obvious and they can and will kill you or someone else.”
When considering a garage conversion project, there are three areas you should look at before you run to your local hardware store and start buying 2x4s, Francis said.
The first is egress. Building codes vary depending on where you’re building, but no matter where you are, there has to be at least two ways of getting out of the converted space in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, Francis said. That means doors and windows of an appropriate size.
The second is plumbing. Plumbing can be tricky in a garage conversion.
“Electricians can run their wires kind of however they need to,” Francis said. “They can go up, down, around, and through stuff.”
But plumbing is not so flexible, so it’s best to get a plumber to assess your garage and what you want to do before you start.
The third area to examine is your garage structure, Francis said, especially if you’re planning on adding a second floor. Typically, garages are not built to support an upper floor, so you will probably have to add extra support framing, he said.
Before you get started, it’s also sensible to check with your local code enforcement officer or a general contractor about building codes and permitting, Francis and Jastram said.
And one more important thing: Know your budget.
“It just lets you pick and choose what is and isn’t possible in a known space,” Jastram said. “If you don’t have a budget, you’re just wandering in the darkness planning wise until you run out of money and you have a half-done project and you’re in it for $75K.”
TIPS FOR RENOVATING ON A BUDGET
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
Renovations around the house require an investment of time and often considerable amounts of money. Findings from the 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study show that home renovations are becoming more expensive. The median renovation spending for homeowners has gone up 60 percent since 2020. Angi, a home services website, reports the average renovation cost for homes between 1,250 and 1,600 square feet is $51,772, but the final cost of home renovations depends on the scope of the project.
Homeowners who are conserving funds can rest assured that it is possible to make meaningful changes both inside and outside a home without breaking the bank. Here are some ways to renovate a home on a budget.
Create a budget and don’t waver. Figure out exactly what you can afford for a renovation and then make that your maximum dollars spent. Research comparable projects in your area and be honest about whether you can afford the renovation as-is or if you must adapt ideas to fit your price. Make sure to build in a cushion of around 15 to 20 percent for any unforeseen expenses that may arise once a renovation is underway.
Maximize an existing floor plan. This Old House suggests looking for ways to maximize your current layout before you invest in major renovations like an expansion. Bring in a designer with an eye for utilizing space. For example, see how you might be able to replace shelves with pull-out drawers in the kitchen. Moving furniture around or rethinking floor plans also can help to lower costs.
Balance DIY with hiring contractors. You can save money by tackling some projects yourself, but only if you are confident in your renovation skills. Rather than risk making costly mistakes and having to redo things, hire wellvetted professionals but ask if there’s any DIY work you can do to cut costs.
Check clearance and resale stores. Shop discount stores for building materials to save money. For example, if a builder ordered too many cabinets they may offer them to Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers. Checking the clearance and markdown sections of other stores may yield considerable savings on items needed for a renovation. Warehouse retailers like Costco or Sam’s Club also can be great places to find certain home improvement materials and furnishings.
Resurface instead of redo. Certain items can be made to look new with minimal effort. Paint is a relatively inexpensive tool that can transform walls and more. A good hardwood flooring company can buff out a floor and put a new coating instead of an entirely new floor. Kitchen cabinets can be resurfaced instead of replaced as well.
Home renovations are significant undertakings. Though some projects require more sizable investments of time and money than others, all merit homeowners’ attention and inspire some excitement when pondering the finished product.
A finished product tends to offer more appeal when the project is overseen and undertaken by a professional contractor. Small projects may be in the wheelhouse of skilled do-it-yourselfers, but most homeowners are best served leaving home renovations to the professionals. Finding the right contractor for a given job is of the utmost importance, and the following are some tips to help homeowners do just that.
Seek word-of-mouth recommendations. Word-of-mouth advertising has long been recognized as an invaluable tool to attract customers, and for good reason. A 2025 report on the state of the roofing industry provided by Roofing Contractor, the official publication for the International Roofing Expo®, found that 79 percent of homeowners identify word-of-mouth as the top way to find a roofing professional. Word-of-mouth is so valued because homeowners can ask friends or neighbors about their experiences with a given professional in a pressurefree setting. Word-of-mouth also can help homeowners cut down on the pool of potential contractor candidates, which is no small benefit in markets flooded with renovation professionals.
Secure multiple written estimates. I t can be time-consuming to speak to multiple contractors and secure written estimates from each one, but such legwork is well worth the effort if the end result is finding the right contractor. Secure multiple estimates even if the first one provided to you is below budget. Multiple estimates allow homeowners to compare what’s included, and not included, in each one. Some contractors offering low estimates may not include materials costs or additional factors that will increase the price. Others may seem more expensive initially but may prove more affordable than competitors if their
estimates include all of the costs associated with the project. Only a direct comparison of multiple estimates, which should include details specific to the project and an itemized list of what will be provided and performed by the contractor, can give homeowners an idea of what they’re paying for.
Stay local when possible.
Hiring local contractors is beneficial for a number of reasons. Hiring locals keeps money in the community and thus supports the local economy. And working with local contractors can make it easier for homeowners to keep lines of communication open. Many projects also require a little post-completion upkeep or even some tweaks, which is more easily accomplished when working with contractors based nearby. And finally, local contractors will be familiar with building codes and other details specific to a given town. That familiarity can ensure a project is done in adherence to codes and not stalled by permit- or inspection-related delays.
Confirm
their insurance. Confirm that your contractor is properly insured and bonded prior to signing a contract. Contractors should be willing to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) that indicates their provider, policy number, and coverage limits. Homeowners can contact insurers directly to verify coverage and ensure the policy is current. Never hire a contractor who is uninsured or unwilling to provide proof of insurance.
Hiring a contractor to perform a home renovation may be a leap of faith, but homeowners can take steps to ensure they find the right professional for the job.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
