PARADE OF HOMES: THE GARAGE GETS MORE RESPECT Five innovative builders are making the garage a strategic part of the new home appeal
APEX, NC - As the Parade of Homes nears, builders are frantically moving all the construction trash and debris to the garage and driveway because the garage is used as a staging area as the homes near completion.
But for some homes on parade this year, the garage is getting a little more respect.
This year, five innovative builders are making the garage a strategic part of the new home appeal. The Jimmy V Charity Home by First American Builders in Cary, and homes by First American Builders in Wakefield, Raleigh Homes in Fuquay Varina, Crown Builders in Apex, and BRG Builders also in Apex, have teamed with GarageWorks Solutions to outfit garages with storage systems and work benches.
GarageWorks Solutions, the local dealer for Gladiator GarageWorks by Whirlpool Corporation, is basing its business model on the residential garage or basement being the next area of the home to experience significant homeowner attention in upgrades.
GarageWorks Solutions, owned locally by Tom McKay and Glenn Seitchek, is installing Gladiator systems in five of this year's Parade Homes.
"The garage is not only getting more respect, it is becoming an extension of our living space," says Tom McKay. "Gladiator features everything from utilitarian lawn tool storage to refrigerator/freezers specially designed to work with the wide range of temperatures in a garage."
The Parade Homes that feature Gladiator are strategically located throughout the Triangle and demonstrates the flexibility of the system. The systems on display in the Parade are installed in homes that range in price from $250,000 the $700,000.00.
"We chose the Gladiator products for the Jimmy V Charity Home because of the professional quality and the innovative design the products bring to the garage", said Michael Dean Chadwick of First American Builders.
For years the Parade of Homes has primarily been about selling homes, but recently more and more builders are using the Parade to feature new and innovative products as a way of distinguishing themselves from the competition.
For a time, it was the kitchen and master baths that received most of the attention. More recently the trend as moved the more utilitarian parts of the home. Whirlpool Corporation and GarageWorks Solutions are betting the garage is the next new frontier for the new home market. From its reception in the builder market thus far, it seems a good bet.
Gladiator GarageWorks products are installed in these Parade homes:
