CLEVELAND, Ohio — Home renovation projects are still on the minds of Northeast Ohioans who braved the cold to attend the last day of the Cleveland Home Show.
The Home Show, which took place at the Huntington Convention Center in Downton Cleveland on Saturday and Sunday, showcased local vendors from several home improvement industries; these ranged from roofing, cabinet customization, landscaping, bath tubs/showers, flooring, etc.
Interest in home renovation skyrocketed during the pandemic as millions of homeowners were forced to spend more time at home. Though the pandemic has become endemic, Brett Howell of Howell Landscaping said this interest has continued to grow.
“We’ve been doing more and more projects with patio installs,” he said. “People are really wanting to enjoy their outdoor living space. There’s a lot of work from home careers that are out there, a lot of people are spending time at home, so it’s always good investing in your backyard.”
Tina Krajnak, a representative with Bath Fitter, agreed, especially with the cost of living continuing to rise.
“With all the things going on with the viruses and all that RSV, people are staying home,” Krajnak said. “They’re being more cautious and they’re putting time into their homes because if you’re gonna be there, you might as well make it look like you want it.
Landscaping was arguably one of the most popular areas in home renovation as yards became an oasis for many. Howell said at the show, he received a lot of questions about drainage solutions and turf following harsh weather.
“I see a lot of people here are getting foundation work done. I think this past year has been one of the wettest that we’ve seen, so that’s a common problem,” he said. “We’ve seen some bigger developments and advancements with the artificial turf. A lot of people are going to the low maintenance, more modern approaches with their landscaping.”
John Przybysz, an Avon resident, is one of those homeowners that hopes to “refresh his home” and decided to check out the home show with his wife for some inspiration.
“All the folks that were here are very polite,” Przbysz said. “So, it’s nice to see that.”
For homeowners that could not make it to the Home Show, but want to take on a renovation project, experts suggest making sure they do their research.
“There’s tons and tons of products out there,” Howell said. “Some are really smart investments, but make sure you get a warranty on your products.”
Megan Sims covers real estate for cleveland.com. See previous work at this link.
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