Home Addition Tips You Should Never Ignore
Are you looking to add an addition to your home? Here are valuable tips you should put into consideration: Follow the building laws Imagine this. You have hired the best home addition builder and even started your project. A few days into the addition project, you get a communication from the local authorities that you can’t continue with the addition as you are bleaching the local building laws. You are devastated, as you have already invested substantially in it. Unfortunately, the local authorities don’t want to hear about it as you are building against the stipulated laws. What do you have to do? You have no other way out other than to pause the project and only proceed while following the stipulated laws. Sometimes, you have to bring down the entire project and start afresh. While you can opt to ignore the laws, you should always follow them. For one, if you are looking to sell the house later down the road, no buyer will be excited to buy a home that was illegally built. If you have an accident, you will have difficulty receiving your claim, especially when the insurance company realizes that you didn’t follow the building rules. To stay safe, always follow the building statutes in your area. Aim to add value to your project As you build the addition, don’t just build it—make it to add value to the property. You should note that sometimes you can go overboard and install materials that are too expensive that you fail to recoup your investment. For example, when the selling time comes, you can install high-end granite or marble countertops and fail to recoup your investment. If you are adding the addition mainly to sell the house later down the line, be cautious of the extras you add as you can easily use materials that you will never recoup the money you put into them. If you aren’t sure about the suitable materials to use, get the input of an appraiser. Always have a contingency fund. After you have come up with a plan for the project, your next move should be to draw up a budget as you are coming up with a budget and set aside some amount that you will use in the event of an emergency. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10% of your total budget to spend on troubles that might come up. The contingency is usually enough, but don’t stop here—think of the future beyond construction. More space means you will have higher energy bills, including heating and cooling. You will also attract higher property taxes. If adding a bathroom, the extra bathroom space means that you will consume more water. You should factor in all these before you begin your project. It would be a great shame to add an addition only to realize that you can’t maintain it. Work with professionals You must work with experienced home remodeling architects Washington DC for the best outcome. While they will be a little expensive, they are worth it, as you will have peace of mind that you are […]
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4 Tips for Building an Addition to Your Home
Are you thinking about building an addition to your home? Here are tips you should consider as given by home addition companies: Do you need the addition? This is the first question to ask yourself. Some people think that they need to enlarge their houses often because they deem them too small or have some disposable income. In most cases, they don’t need the extra space. Before you begin your project, you should take your time and find out whether you genuinely need the home addition. If you are adding the addition because you have some money you have no use for, you don’t need the addition. On the other hand, if your family is growing and there is no extra space, it’s time to get a new addition. Have a budget If you have determined that you genuinely need an addition, the next thing to do is determine the amount of money you need to complete your project. The last thing you want is stalling your project midway. Thankfully, plenty of professionals can help you come up with a more accurate budget. As you are coming up with the budget, be honest with yourself. Can you afford the said addition? Unless you are remodeling the house for sale, the addition isn’t an investment, so it’s senseless to get a loan for it. The logical thing is to add the additions from your savings. From the money that you make, be honest and determine whether you can afford the addition from your savings. If you can’t, you are better off building a smaller house. Determine the type of addition you need What type of addition do you need? It’s vital you determine this as it affects the contractor you hire and the amount of money you set aside for the project. If your family is getting large and you need more space for them, you should add an additional bedroom or sitting area. If you are looking to sell the house later down the block, add a bathroom or kitchen. Remember, that the materials you use in your remodeling shouldn’t be too expensive that you fail to recoup your investment. For example, don’t use high-end countertop materials such as marble and granite. While they might be attractive to a potential buyer, you won’t get your money back. Find out who will do the project. It’s vital that you know who will handle the project. Of course, this depends on the nature of the project. If you are looking to add a kitchen, you will need to hire a kitchen professional. You can do some remodeling work by yourself, especially if they are minor projects such as replacing a door or window. Unless you have the skills, avoid doing the large projects by yourself. Instead, let a professional help you out. When it comes to hiring a professional, you can find one in plenty of places. A great place is to ask your friends and relatives. Is there a relative that recently hired a contractor? Ask them to refer you to them, especially if you like their work. You can also […]
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Home addition dos and don’ts
Is your family expanding, and the house is starting to feel cramped? You need additional space. When you add the right space, you increase the living space and increase your home value. If this is the first home addition project you are handling, here are a few dos and don’ts that you should observe as given by home addition companies: Do add additional bathrooms Bathrooms often give the best return on investment, so you will never go wrong with them. And the beauty is that you can add any bathroom and increase the house’s value. Whether it’s a master bathroom, guest bathroom, or even an additional bathroom for your bedrooms, you can add it. While bathrooms are great, you should be cautious of the materials you use as you might fail to recoup your investment when selling time comes. Avoid installing costly materials such as granite or marble countertops to be on the safe side. If planning to sell the house later down the line, stick with traditional materials. You only need to ensure they are correctly installed. Do Increase the size of your kitchen. The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, so when your family is ballooning, this will be the first room to shrink. You can increase the size of your kitchen from the interior by knocking down a wall or do so from the exterior by building an additional wall. Regardless of how you go about it, ensure that you create a functional space that increases the functionality of your kitchen. When adding a bathroom, don’t use premium materials, especially when planning to sell the house, as chances are high you won’t get your money back. Do have a plan The worst mistake you can make is to start your project without a plan. Before you begin building, have a clear idea of how you want your addition to look once complete. This calls for you to consult an architect, designer, or other professional to help design the project. By doing this, you not only have a clear idea about the results of your project but also help you understand other options available, establish a clear plan on how you will achieve it, and even account for some of the issues that might arise during the execution and how you will avoid them. Don’t overbuild it As much as additional space will increase the value of your home, you should avoid building a big addition where you don’t have outdoor space. You need to balance things out to have enough room for your activities and a large enough outdoor space to relax and entertain. Don’t over-customize the addition. We all have different tastes, and we want to design our houses in a way that pleases our ideals. Some argue that they customize their houses as they aren’t planning to sell them later, but things constantly change. Regardless of whether you are planning to sell your house or not, you should avoid going overboard with customizations. Remember that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. This calls for you to avoid […]
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How Can I Save Money Building An Addition To My House?
As much as homeowners love the extra space that building home addition brings, there is always the issue of cost as most of them don’t want to spend a fortune on it, so you will hear them asking, how can I save money building an addition to my house? Well, there are plenty of tricks you can use to your advantage. These tricks include: Do it yourself Do you have home-building skills? You shouldn’t waste money hiring a house remodeling professional. Instead, you should do the work yourself. Even when doing the building work yourself, ensure that you follow the right procedure and don’t cut corners. If you have the skills, you have the luxury of doing the work by yourself, but if you don’t the skills, you should hire a professional to build the house for you. When hiring the contractor, ensure that the contractor knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is hiring someone to botch up your work, and you have to redo it, which sees you wasting a lot of money. Although, you should be conscious of the price charged by the contractor, avoid an extremely cheap contractor, as the chances are high that they won’t do a good job. Source your own materials Did you know you can get the building materials at much lower prices on your own than through a contractor? The reason for this is that despite the contractor making money from the labor costs, they want to make a profit from the materials they supply you, so they mark up the prices. To save money, source the materials on your own. For example, if planning to have a kitchen addition, visit the home improvement stores and find cheaper countertops. If you don’t have a huge budget, find reclaimed materials for your project. Most contractors will do their budgeting while including the materials they will supply you, and if you decide that you will be sourcing the materials on your own in the middle of the project, the contractor may have to go back to the drawing board, and they might not be pleased about it. To avoid bad blood in your work, ensure that you let the contractor know beforehand that you will be sourcing the materials on your own. Shop around Whether you are looking for materials or a contractor, don’t work with the first company you come across—take your time, visit different companies, and see what they have. Many homeowners make the mistake of being in a hurry when doing their construction, so they rush to hire the first company they come across. Don’t do this as you end up spending a lot of money that you shouldn’t. The best way to go about it is to take your time and knock on several doors and see what is available. Sometimes you might not only find the company or supplies at a low cost, but also discover materials you have never heard about. Go the prefab way If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on new items, consider getting prefabricated materials. Some people […]
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What to Consider in Choosing a Roofing Material
Roofs are meant to last for many years. That is why you should choose the right residential or commercial roofing system that is worth the money. There are also several things to consider in choosing a roofing material such as style, durability, and functionality. These are crucial especially if you are planning on building a home addition. Factors in choosing a roofing system Choosing a roof system is no easy task. As mentioned, there are several things you need to consider before buying a roof for your home. This is so important when you are planning a home remodeling addition project. That being said, here are some important things to remember when looking for a roofing system. Your home/building’s style The roof style you choose depends on your house or building’s architectural style. For example, tile roofing can suit more for historic-style structures. On the other hand, asphalt shingles may look good in various styles of houses. Meanwhile, metal and built-up roods may suit better for commercial buildings. Application This is important regardless of whether it is intended for replacement or as part of a home addition design. On the one hand, installing a new roof is easier as you won’t be restricted from existing roof materials, underlying composition, and so on. However, a home addition builder may recommend a roofing material so it blends better with the current roofing system. Long-term plan Are you planning to stay for the next 20 years? Or you are planning to move to another state soon? In the case of the latter, it might be better to install a roofing material that is less expensive and has a shorter lifespan. Otherwise, you should choose a roof that should last you a long time. Building codes and other regulations Different states may have different building codes and regulations that need to be followed. For example, some areas are prone to tornadoes or fires that do not allow installing roof shingles. Some communities may also require building restrictions including roofing materials. Types of roofing systems By now, you already have an idea of things to consider when looking for roofing material. The next question is knowing the different types of roofing materials. Here are some of the most popular ones used in many residential and commercial buildings. Asphalt shingles This one is popular in the US as it can endure all sorts of outdoor elements. They are generally affordable and can last for about 20 or so years. Use impact-resistant asphalt shingles if you are located in a hail-prone place. Metal Meanwhile, metal roofs can last for more than 50 years and are great for resisting rain, snow, and extreme winds. Metal roofs are also lightweight and can work with other existing roof materials. However, metal roofs can be noisy during strong rains and hail. This material can also be prone to rust and corrosion. Slate This one is said to last more than a hundred years and is resistant against harsh outdoor elements. It is recommended to be used in wet climates. On the contrary, it is heavy, expensive, and can be prone to […]
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Going Green: What to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels
Thanks to the continuous technological advances, most people are able to enjoy a convenient life. Imagine life without kitchen appliances, cars, and even the phone you are using now. Imagine how you can live without electricity that gives light and power to your home and your personal gadgets. But modern advancements also come with a price, especially in the environmental aspect. Thankfully, there have been several alternatives that aim to lessen our carbon footprints. There are also home addition companies that also offer environment-friendly home addition design and material alternatives. Solar power: An environment-friendly energy alternative Perhaps you have already heard about solar power. For starters, solar power naturally comes from the sun. Meanwhile, solar panels are becoming more and more popular these days especially for residential use. If you are planning for a home remodeling addition or outdoor remodeling project, you might want to shift to solar-powered panels instead. It will be a huge step, even expensive at first. But it will be useful in the long run, and can even save you money along the way. Solar power is not a new thing and has been around for some time now. But it was only recently when it became more accepted in many home improvement projects. As mentioned, installing a solar panel can be expensive – it can cost as a brand-new car. But despite its high costs, more and more homeowners realize the benefits of solar panels. If you are planning to install one in your home, you can hire a home additions builder who is also familiar with solar panel installation. What to consider before installing a solar panel You don’t have to be an environmental activist to have a solar panel in your home. You can think of the several benefits it can give you in terms of savings. But before that, you should think about the following first before installing solar panels. Your home should be suitable for solar installation. You should know whether your home is suitable to have solar panels installed. But how would you know if it is okay to install solar panels in your home? There should be no huge trees or any structures that block direct sunlight. The higher your energy bills (before installing solar panels), the more savings you can get with solar power. You might also consider the direction your roof is facing. Some good directions should face east-west or north. What kind of solar panel should you buy? There are several inverters and solar panel brands available nowadays. Before you buy one, make sure you: Choose a reputable solar panel supplier that has been around for years. Get quotes from a couple of suppliers and compare them in terms of price, product quality, and other important terms. Consider the long run. Are you going to live in your current home for a long time, or move elsewhere after a few years? What should you know about warranties? Most solar panels usually come with 10, 15, and 25-year warranties. The warranties will work depending on the product’s performance and usage. Also, you should have an idea of […]
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Tips on Getting Your Home Ready This Summer
As of now, we have to stay at home and keep ourselves protected from the ongoing virus. Getting stuck at home can be boring later on. However, this is actually the time to be productive and plan for a major spring cleaning session. It is also a good time to plan for a home remodeling addition. However, you might have to wait for a while until the impact of COVID-19 already subsides. Once everything goes back to normal, you can contact a home additions builder for your home addition design project. Getting started Summer is already here. Supposedly, this is the time where there are a lot of beachgoers. This is also the time where travelers will be flying in a foreign country for some much-deserved vacation. However, now is not the right time to go traveling elsewhere. In the meantime, we have to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus. It can be boring at home, much more a nightmare, especially for social butterflies. Then again, it doesn’t mean you cannot be productive while you’re stuck at home. Winter season is done, and so this is the time to prepare your home for summer. A home addition builder can help you with your home improvement needs. But for now, you can start from small steps without breaking your budget. Simple ways to prepare your home for summer Here are some ways you can do to prepare your house this coming summer season. These simple tips will help you save money and time in the long run. Have your air-conditioning unit checked. The last thing you would want to happen is your air-conditioning unit breaking down in the middle of the summer heat. That is why it is best to have your air-conditioning unit serviced as early as spring. You should check the following in your air conditioning unit: Filter – make sure it is not clogged and dirty. Change heating and air filters once every two to four months. Cooling capacity – check its fuses or circuit breakers if it doesn’t start or cool for more than a minute. Repair or buy a new one – if it is an older model like a 10-year old type of AC, you might want to buy a new one instead of repairing it. There are energy-efficient AC units that you can consider. Window-type or split-type? It depends on the space you have at home. Check your home exteriors and roof. It is also a must to check your roofing and home exteriors. Check for cracks or missing shingles. Check the caulk around the pipes for any cracks. Consider painting your roof white due to its energy-saving benefits. If you have a masonry chimney, check whether there are vegetation growing or fallen brick pieces. Check your attic. Make sure to wear long sleeves and dust mask to protect from insulation. Your attic may already have critters who made the attic their home during the cold winter. In such cases, you should clean out animal droppings that have accumulated there. Find the hole where these critters have supposedly entered through […]
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Flat Roofing System: Is this the Best Choice?
A house or any kind of building is not complete without a roof. It protects the structure against rain, snow, and the sun’s heat. Without a roof, people and furniture inside the structure will be exposed to harsh outdoor elements. However, you need to know the different types of roof options that will suit your roofing needs. Aside from roofs, you might also consider planning for a home addition. For your home addition needs, you should contact a home additions builder. You would need a home addition design depending on your home improvement needs. Some would choose to convert their garage, basement, or attic into an additional living space. All about flat roofs Most of us are familiar with the sloped roofs commonly found in many homes around the world. However, there are also those so-called “flat roofs”. For one thing, flat roofs are not entirely flat. Rather, flat roofs have only slight tilts primarily to drain rainwater although not as effectively as sloped roofs. There are also different types of flat roofs. Each type of roof system varies according to price and warranty. Some can even last for more than 25 years as long as it is installed properly and well-maintained. EPDM Ethylene propylene diene monomer, also known as a rubber membrane, is specially designed to tolerate sun exposure. It can be glued, fastened, or added with stone during installing as a flat roof material. On the one hand, it is light, easy to install, easy to repair in case of leaks, and tear-resistant. However, this flat roofing material can be more prone to punctures and tend to absorb heat more. It can also be expensive especially the light-colored variant. Built-up Roofing (BUR) This one is another common type of flat roof. It is composed of several layers including the insulation board, asphalt or tar, and gravel. BUR provides protection against water and outside elements. It is also low-maintenance, low-cost, and easy to remove during repairs. On the downside, installing BUR can be labor-intensive as it has several materials and layers. You might also have to remove the entire roof if you have to look for any leakages. BUR may also not be as flexible in cold weather, hence prone to damages. Modified Bitumen It was developed around the early 1960s as an alternative to Built-up roofing. It is made to be flexible with a top coating containing minerals. It comes in rolled sheet forms and installed by heating the roofing’s backside while unrolling it. Generally, it is easier to install than BUR, durable, recyclable, and low-maintenance. On the downside, modified bitumen should be installed by skilled personnel as it requires an open flame during installation. It might not also be as aesthetically appealing as BUR. Flat roof systems: Pros and cons If you are planning for a condo remodeling or any home addition project, make sure to hire professional home remodeling architects. In some home addition projects, you will need to choose a roofing system. One of the most popular roofing options is a flat roof system. However, a flat roof system has its own pros and cons. […]
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Getting Ready for a Home Renovation This Coming Holiday Season
A lot of homeowners prefer doing their home improvement projects during the summer season. For one, the fair-weather enables homeowners to accomplish the home improvement without delays due to the weather. Also, it is a great time to build a home addition design whether inside or outside of the house. But did you know that the winter season is also a good time to hire a home additions builder for home addition or renovation project? However, it depends on the type of renovation you are planning and the availability of the contractors. There are many other reasons why it is a good idea to plan for a home addition design project this coming winter season. Why plan for a winter home renovation? As mentioned, there are various benefits of planning for a home renovation. Here are some of these said perks. Less competition Winter is more likely to be an off-season time for renovations. So if you hire a home contractor at this time, there is a chance that you will be accommodated because they have fewer clients at that time. Possibility of discounts Since it’s off-season, you might also avail some discounts for home renovation projects. While some contractors may not offer discounts, home improvement stores may do offer instead. Thus, it is a good idea to purchase materials you will need for your home addition project. Good timing Renovations during the holiday season won’t affect your domestic life. For one thing, a lot of homeowners would be traveling out of town. Hence, it would be fine to do renovations at this time since your home can be easily vacated during a renovation project. Home renovation and addition ideas in time for the winter season First of all, you need to determine what kind of renovation or home addition you really need. Do the kitchen or bathroom tiles need some updating already? Do you have an unused shed or garage area that you want to convert as an additional room? The next step is to set a budget for your home improvement project. Doing a home improvement project can be possible regardless of the season. However, it depends on the type of renovation you want. That said, interior home renovation can be done during the winter season. You can plan for affordable home additions if you want to, say, convert your old, dusty attic or basement area into a liveable space. Other home renovations you can do during the winter season include the following. Change your old light fixtures with brighter ones that will make your rooms even brighter and illuminated Consider replacing your carpeting at home, or hire a professional carpet cleaner to get rid of allergy-causing dirt and debris stuck within its fibers Pay attention to your laundry area, too. Make sure to keep your laundry area more organized by adding a storage area or hooks. Replace leaky pipes or defective cabinets and cupboards in your kitchen or bathroom areas, as well as old appliances with energy-efficient ones. The truth about home remodeling The 2019 Remodeling Impact Report revealed that around 35 percent of homeowners in the […]
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Make Your Home Kid-Friendly With These Essential Home Addition Tips
Having kids at home can be chaotic and fun at the same time. Little children tend to be more adventurous and curious to check out things that catch their eyes. Sometimes, their curiosity can be their parents’ worst nightmare. A nightmare – in a way that they have to constantly keep their children in check and not doing something that can endanger their lives. But just because you have kids at home doesn’t mean your house has to be messy and chaotic. You can still keep your coffee table, upholstered sofa, and other home décor to make your house look more inviting. It’s a matter of making your home kid-proof without sacrificing your personal taste in home improvement. Keeping your home kid-safe Safety is of utmost importance especially for households with small children. This is essentially important if you are planning to hire a home addition builder for a home remodeling project or building a home addition for your growing family. Fortunately, you can make your home a safe haven for your little children without compromising your home’s aesthetic value. If you have children at home, you can expect your house to be messy most of the time. It can be exasperating to clean up after them. Kids will be kids after all, and remember, you were also a kid once in your life. Cleaning up the mess is easier rather than getting into accidents that should have been avoided in the first place. Kid-safe home addition and renovation ideas Some parents assign a play area for their small children to avoid messing up the other rooms. Meanwhile, there are some parents who seem to be cool with the kiddie chaos inside the house. But as mentioned, your kids’ safety should be on top of everything else. This is particularly important if you are planning for a home remodel project. Aside from that, here are some kid-proof home improvement tips you should consider to ensure safety within the house. Choosing the right floor system Hardwood floors can be prone to scratches due to heavy foot traffic and other activities. If you have one at home, you can consider adding an area rug or carpet to protect your wood floors. Make sure that the rug or carpet is non-slip and made from kid-friendly material. For a home addition, you should consider using vinyl flooring as part of your home addition design. Choosing the right furniture If you have had enough of fortress-building in your living room, you should opt for fixed-cushion sofas instead. Avoid any furniture with sharp corners and instead opt for rounded sofas and other furniture instead. These will lessen the occurrence of injuries due to bumps and rough play. Encouraging cleanliness at home The best time to train a child to be independent is as early as now. Of course, these tasks should be age-appropriate. You can add a storage cabinet that they can easily reach and where they can store their toys. As part of a home addition plan, you can build a bathroom or kitchen countertop made from quartz or any durable material. Make sure that […]
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