Community Home Remodeling Fair is April 18

Get free advice from a wide variety of local home remodeling experts at this year's Community Home Remodeling Fair on Saturday, April 18 at Cleveland Heights City Hall. Sponsored by the Home Repair Resource Center and the City of Cleveland Heights, the fair will open at 9:15 a.m. and will feature presentations from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.  Here is the full schedule.

The fair will focus on “big” projects, where it is particularly important for homeowners to get the best quality for their remodeling dollar. Homeowners can meet with an architect for a free 25-minute consultation. (Register for "Ask an Architect" by calling 216-381-6100, but hurry--slots fill up fast.) Contractors, product suppliers, architects and city representatives will also be on hand to share their knowledge in various workshops and at "advice tables." 

In light of rising energy costs, several workshops will focus on ways to help homeowners reduce their gas bills, such as choosing a high-efficiency heating system, retrofitting an old house to reduce energy usage and using an energy audit to determine winterization strategies. Other presentations will cover remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, controlling basement water, incorporating accessibility into remodeling, and repairing roofs and wooden porches. 

The "advice tables" will provide specific information on a wide range of topics. Homeowners can talk with bankers about home repair financing options, learn how to reduce the danger of lead paint when remodeling, and get ideas about flowers for their gardens. Representatives from the Cleveland Restoration Society and the city’s historic preservation planner can help homeowners research the history of their houses, choose attractive paint colors, and preserve their homes' architectural style when renovating. Cuyahoga County Auditor and County Recorder representatives can check for any liens filed against your house, provide information about deeds and living wills, and verify property taxes. The Home Repair Resource Center’s repair instructor will answer questions about repair projects, and the city's Building and Inspections Department representative can provide information on code requirements. Handouts, books, videos and contractor evaluations are available through the center’s resource library. 

The fair is free and open to residents of all communities. So, grab a friend or neighbor and come to City Hall on April 18!

Becky Stager has been the repair education programs coordinator for Home Repair Resource Center since 1989.

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Volume 2, Issue 4, Posted 10:34 AM, 03.20.2009