Monday, February 11, 2013

Things to Consider When Planning for Home Renovation


Building an addition onto your home is a small remodeling project. There are several things that have to take place before and during the process to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Here are some tips for adding to your home and making sure you don't have to double back and do it twice.

1. Make sure you have some good plans drawn up. Successful remodeling projects include careful planning and a realistic budget. Remodeling cheap and fast will only cause problems down the road so take your time to plan things out. Hire a builder that is one the same page as you are and you will save time and money.

2. Consider other homes in the neighborhood. Whether your neighbors are close or a few miles you need to consider how your addition will affect the value of your home. What are the homes around you appraising for or worth. Will the addition to your home bring the value of their homes up as well as your own? A general rule of thumb to follow when building additions onto a house is not to overbuild the neighborhood.

3. Consider the design that is being added onto your home. Any good remodel will be consistent with the original structure of the home so that it complements it; not takes away from it. I'm sure you've seen them; the additions that have been built onto an older home that don't look anything like the original one. Pay attention to the small details; windows, trim styles, and types of materials you use.

4. Permissions. You need to make sure that you acquire all the necessary legal and building permissions prior to beginning your remodeling project. This would include, but not be limited to any service providers that are involved, building restrictions, and any neighborhood stipulations. If you neglect to do it you're going to be charged more money to do it right again and it could mean having to demolish all your hard work.

5. Building up to code. When you build a home from the ground up there are certain codes that have to be met. It is usually the same when you are remodeling or adding onto the home as well. Electrical and plumbing are just two of the things that have specific codes you have to meet before you can continue finishing your addition. If you have a licensed contractor they should take care of this part for you.

6. Come up with a reasonable budget. We've already mentioned this a little, but it's important to be realistic with your budget. Sometimes we tend to get carried away with just adding something here or there without realizing that you've gone way over your budget. When you draw up the plans stick to the budget and the original plan.

7. Don't skimp on what you build. Whether you're adding on to stay in the home or if you're adding on to sell, don't be a cheap skate. Potential home buyers are pickier than ever and they want to see quality work. So spend a little extra on a good design, durable and quality materials, and good craftsmanship. It can really pay off in the end.
These tips for adding to your home should help you get your project off on the right foot.

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing these guidelines with us. I learned a lot from the tips and guidelines given here. I will list down all the important things given here and I will show it to my wife. Now, I'm not more difficult to plan because the helped of this blog. Thank you for this.



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  2. I wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight. hdb renovation contractor 3d innovations

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