Home show at Convention Center

Carol and Andy Prokop went to the Convention Center yesterday to get ideas about ceramic tile for their kitchen and bathroom.

The couple built their home in Downingtown 13 years ago and want to replace the linoleum floors in the kitchen and a bathroom now. "We love our home. We just want to change some of the flooring," said Carol Prokop, an art teacher.

Andy Prokop, an engineering consultant, said he would probably lay the ceramic tile himself to keep the cost down in the current economy.

At the Philadelphia Home Show, which opened Saturday and runs through Jan. 25, attendance was lighter than normal for opening weekend. Vendors suggested it was a combination of the low temperatures, the Eagles' playoff game, and the economy.

But those who came were ready to spend money.

Linda and Ed Micallef are buying a 15-year-old house in Newark, Del. So they came with a mental checklist of what the house needs: doors, gutter guards, a security system, paint.

"We're here to get ideas - what kind of equipment is out there, what kind of doors, and get some pricing," said Linda Micallef, an executive secretary at a DuPont subsidiary in Wilmington.

"We knew there would be a lot of vendors and that's why we came," said Ed Micallef, who works as a safety specialist at DuPont. "We've already talked with a security person from ADT and made an appointment."

The theme of the 28th annual home show is "Fall in love with your home ... again."

Though new-home construction and housing starts are down, people wanting to remodel or build additions are not waiting for the economy to turn around, some builders said.

Thomas King, a vendor and owner of King Builders in Bedminster, said people were renovating and enlarging their homes rather than moving. "With the interest rates so low, people are willing to put money into their home."

King said 2008 was a very good year with renovation work up 10 percent over 2007. Gross sales were about $1.5 million. "In 2009, it's a little early to say, but we are scheduled, and things are pretty normal," King said.

Even high-end hot tubs and spas were selling at the home show. Prices can range from $2,000 to $35,000.

Vendor Kevin Tennant, sales manager for Niagara Pool & Spas, said people who come to the home show drive into the city and pay an admission fee, plus parking. "They are financially in a position to make investments, whether a spa, or whatever."

Tennant said his sales staff was pleased with hot-tub sales on Saturday. Buyers "specifically came down to look at our product," he said.

Several aisles over, Harry and Kathy Dean of Marlton were eyeing kitchen countertops that look like granite but that are made of engineered stone. They fit on top of existing countertops.

The vendor, Granite Transformations, is a national company with local offices in West Berlin, Montgomeryville and West Chester.

"We're quite interested in this, and the company's office is right near where we live," said Kathy Dean, leaving with a brochure.

"We're interested in something like this because it is more efficient money-wise," Harry Dean said. "The granite covers go over the old counter."