The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), serving the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, offers a free Remodeling Idea Book for download.
The First Suburbs Coalition Idea Book examines four of the most common housing types found in inner-ring suburbs in Greater Kansas City — Ranch, Split Level, Two Story, and Cape Cod — and provides dozens of ideas for appropriate ways to update and make additions to them.
The 40-page, folio-sized book offers color illustrations of each design and the elements which can be renovated or added.
The book also addresses windows, doors and garages, as well as other basics of exterior appearance.
Considerations such as energy efficiency, financing and universal design are also discussed in the book along with a section of guidelines for selecting and working with reliable contractors.
There is also a Green Idea book – focused on incorporating “green” strategies into remodeling efforts – and a Universal Design Ideas book.