Are you having a home addition project? Here are tips to consider:
Work with an expert
A home addition project is an expensive endeavor and the last thing you want is to hire someone that botches up the project. To ensure this doesn’t happen, work with an experienced home addition builder.
Before you begin working with the contractor, have everything in writing—this is solely to make the contract binding and have evidence should the contractor fail to deliver their end.
The contract should clearly spell out what is included in the price so that you don’t keep being asked to pay random fees that can easily pile up and bury you.
Although it’s good to have the contract in writing, you should note that this can’t account for unexpected problems that might arise later on. So, despite having everything in writing, it’s wise to prepare for surprises.
Don’t go overboard
When you want to impress and give your home the best look possible, it’s easy to go overboard. For example, it’s easy to go all the way out and build an extremely large addition. It’s also possible to be carried away and use the highest quality materials possible.
To be on the safe side, construct a house of the right size. When it comes to materials, go for quality materials that will stand the test of time and withstand the usual wear and tear.
Be decisive
If you ask any home addition contractor, they will tell you of a horror story of when the homeowner changed their mind severally regarding the kitchen cabinets, paint or flooring while the project was underway.
You should avoid this as it often causes plenty of confusion. It also increases the costs of labor and materials throwing your budget out of place.
If you aren’t sure about how you want the cabinets, kitchen or any other part of the house to look, don’t begin the project. Wait until you are sure then find a contractor. If you aren’t sure about the look you want, get the input of a professional.
Be flexible
As much as you should to be decisive about what you want, you should be flexible in making important decisions. For example, if you had planned to install a magogany door but it’s not available, you should be flexible enough and install a fiberglass or steel door instead.
This way you prevent the project from stalling because you can’t find the exact item you planned for.
The only caveat to this is that your decisions shouldn’t affect your budget too much.
Buy the materials in bulk
To save money and get exciting discounts, you should buy the materials you need for your project in bulk. To attract even larger discounts, buy the materials from one company.
If you live in a small town, it’s wise to do your shopping in a larger city as there are plenty of options there to choose from.
Don’t shy away from negotiating with the contractor
When the home addition companies DC give you their quotes, try to negotiate with them so that you can bring down the quoted prices as low as possible.
Great items to negotiate on are tasks that you feel are easy to undertake. For example, if you feel painting is easy, you can ask the contractor to lower the painting price or remove it from the bid.
In most cases, when a contractor realizes won’t get the job in certain areas if they don’t lower the price, they are willing to negotiate which sees you saving a good amount of money at the end of it all.
