Home improvement experts say families are looking to expand despite rising costs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) —With spring just around the corner families in the Midwest are planning out future home improvements by visiting the Nebraska Builders Home and Garden show.

Guest trickled into the venue to speak with local experts in the field about the best solutions to their expansions.

Homeowner Association President Lori Wellman said prices have gone up, but people are looking to expand regardless.

“They are building their homes because they’ve outgrown their home or their family has gotten larger,” she said.

Wellman said home interest rates have leveled off but were low before the shutdowns.

“Inflation has come about, which is a natural thing coming out of COVID,” she said.

But increased prices are affecting all levels of the process.

Jereme Montgomery, development manager of Stephens & Smith Construction Co., said supply and demand can be hard to meet.

“I think a lot of subcontractors are mainly affected,” he said. “As contracts are getting signed those costs are getting incurred to the builder and ultimately to the homeowner.”

Montgomery said Nebraskans are fortunate that homeowner expenses haven’t been hit as hard as other parts of the country.

“It’s strange times, inflation doesn’t seem to affect people’s spending habits,” he said.

Experts at Saturday’s show said that inflation is something to be expected, but many said they aren’t afraid of the current rising costs.