Maximize your success on “DIY” remodeling projects by attending a series of practical seminars and workshops conveniently offered throughout the day of the Home Remodeling Fair. Discover current trends and solutions and develop the recommended steps to accomplish your remodeling dreams. All seminar/workshop leaders are experts in the remodeling field and will inspire you to create the house of your dreams!

2022 Seminars

11:00 am – Noon

Gardening with Herbs

Room 209

Gavin Watt, Hennepin County Master Gardeners

Take the mystery out of growing, harvesting and storing herbs. Learn how these easy to grow plants can be used to add variety and attract pollinators, as well as in cooking, home decorating, and more!

What Home Improvements Pay Off

Room 213

Dan Tillman & Chad Blank, Coldwell Banker Realty

Homeowners should keep in mind that some upgrades don’t pay for themselves in a higher sale price. There are several factors to consider before you remodel to ensure you get the most out of your investment. We’ll discuss which home improvements pay off, common home improvement myths, over improving and pricing for your neighborhood and how to tell your renovation story at sale time.

Building Your Dream Deck & Who’s Doing the Work

Room 219

Mike Dykema, Shelter Construction

After spending the last couple years in or around your house we get it may be time to update. Spend time outside and enjoy your home with a new deck, patio, or porch. Learn about the anatomy, the materials, and gather ideas for your dream exterior living space. Also understand the importance of selecting the right contractor for your project.

How to Create a Master Plan for Your Forever Home

Room 223

Bjorn Freundenthal, New Spaces Design-Build-Remodel

New Spaces will take you through a real life remodeling story showing you the before and after transformation of a 1980’s Architect-Designed Home. Experience a 3D virtual tour, photos and floor plans. Learn current design trends, master plan tips and tricks and get you started into design. Plus, we will answer any questions you may have about the remodeling process.

Kitchen Remodeling 2022: Small Innovations to Total Renovations

Room 233

Lynn Monson, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

Before and after photos illustrate the latest trends, technologies, and universal design features to incorporate into your dream kitchen. Innovative solutions include options to cost-effectively change your space.

12:15 – 1:15 pm

Customized Home Energy Savings Made Easy with Home Energy Squad

Room 209

Stacy Boots Camp, Center for Energy and Environment

The Home Energy Squad will discuss opportunities for low and no cost energy saving solutions in your home, connect you to discounted, customized home assessments, and help you implement a plan to make your home as efficient, and comfortable as possible.

Just Deeds Coalition

Room 213

Maria Cisneros & Kiarra Zackery, City of Golden Valley

Discriminatory covenants have been used to keep people of color from buying houses in certain Minnesota neighborhoods, resulting in a century of segregated communities. Though racial covenants have been illegal for decades, they remain on the titles of these properties. The impact has been made apparent through the work of Mapping Prejudice and the PBS documentary, “The Jim Crow of the North.” In this session, you will hear a brief summary of the history of these practices, and learn about the Just Deeds Coalition, helping property owners remove the racial covenants from their deeds and educating about this hidden history.

Gardening with Perennials – The Basics and Beyond

Room 219

Kate Newal, Hennepin County Master Gardeners

Part I – Perennial plants are the backbone of most flower gardens. Learn lifespan and bloom time, how to group them, and how to choose plants for a long season of color and interest. We’ll provide a review of common perennials, desired growing conditions and best practices.

Part II – Review plant care basics, pest control and dividing techniques. Learn how choose the right perennial for your garden, get tips on choosing style and be inspired by ideas on how to refresh and rejuvenate a mature garden.

Bathroom Remodeling Workshop

Room 223

Nicole First, Neighborhood Building & Remodeling

Learn about bathroom remodeling from start to finish. Create a vision for your new bath using current trends and materials available. We’ll go through the steps to make it functional and fabulous.

How to Find a Good Contractor During a Pandemic

Room 233

Tracy Dahlin, Rick Tollerud, Steph Allen & Alex Buckentine, Iron River Construction

We will be addressing how to find a good contractor in the present environment. In addition to covering standard advice regarding licensing, communication, reputation, scope and relationship, we’ll also cover pandemic issues such as labor shortages, price increases, supply chain issues, COVID safety protocols and what to look for to get your project done right.

1:30 – 2:30 pm

Managing Home Energy Costs

Room 213

Carmen Carruthers, Citizen’s Utility Board of Minnesota

Natural gas and electricity rates and are fluctuating. This session will help you understand bills and manage energy use. Information about programs and rebates to help reduce your energy costs will be covered. Bring all of your energy related questions!

Four Ways to Fix Kitchen Problems and Get the Kitchen of Your Dreams

Room 219

Timothy Ferraro, Bluestem Remodeling

Learn key remodeling solutions to fix your kitchen. Is your kitchen out of date? Do you have to store kitchen items in your basement, bedroom closets or in the garage? Are you wondering if it’s safe to remodel during Covid? We’ll present four key strategies for fixing a bad kitchen plan and tips on how to have a better remodeling experience. See before & after photos of kitchen remodeling projects and ask about your own kitchen.  Learn how COVID has affected the remodeling industry.

Kitchen Planning & Trends

Room 223

Nicole First, Neighborhood Building & Remodeling

What does it take to plan a whole kitchen remodel? What if you only want to update the kitchen? We’ll touch on each aspect of a kitchen remodel, current trends in material, color and estimated costs. Ideas on how to combine new and existing materials to make your new kitchen efficient and beautiful.

Bath Remodeling 2022: Small Innovations to Total Renovations

Room 233

Lynn Monson, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

Before and after photos illustrate the latest trends, technologies, and universal design features to incorporate into your dream bath. Innovative solutions include options to cost-effectively change your space.