2021 has been a year of optimism for us all.  With vaccines finally in ample supply and the pandemic slowed, it does seem like there will be a next phase–eventually.  Most people believe that business will never return to the 40 day a week model.  Obviously this depends on what you do for a living but the overall consensus is that having a home office will be a necessity not a bonus feature.

The pandemic caused us all to spend a lot more time in our homes and for that reason, we want them to be better spaces that bring us joy and comfort.  Beyond rethinking how we design these spaces we also just want them to be updated, clean, and efficient.

2021 has also brought a new challenge in Portland, Oregon.  We are battling a housing crisis and a market that has short supply of homes for sale.  People are staying put and remodeling what they have which then has flooded the market with projects at a time where labor is limited and materials costs are skyrocketing.   Is this the new normal?  Only time will tell.

If you are considering a project at this time be prepared to be patient.  Work with trusted designers, engineers and contractors who have experience with the process.  And be prepared to spend more than you think.  Every project is full of choices and those affect your budget.  There is no square footage cost–it depends on the project, the house, the infrastructure, and your design aesthetic.  And due diligence is a must–make sure you take time planning with an ample set of drawings–spend time picking out finishes and fixtures, design the cabinetry, have window and door schedules.  The average homeowner is sidestepping this process to save money which catches up to them during the construction process when they can see up to three times that cost in delays or coordination.