When the needs of the family change, it may necessitate home remodeling. Maybe you want to accommodate an elderly parent, or a new child is on the way as a homeowner. Either way, home additions are not a walk in the park. As much as they are exciting, they require planning, financing, and coordination. Here are a few helpful tips on how you can handle the addition of a home with minimal stress.
Come up With a Plan
The first step of any home project starts with planning. Whether you are adding a gym, home office, or an extra bedroom, you will have to ensure that your home addition does not go beyond your property lines. You will also have to ensure that the addition does not interfere with any utility pipes or lines. Beyond that, you have to think about how your new addition will affect the curb appeal of your home. It is better to work with an architecture that will ensure the new addition fits perfectly with the rest of the house. Otherwise, you may end up ruining your curb appeal due to architectural mistakes.
Choose The Right Contractors
The people you choose to work with on this project will determine whether the outcome will be successful or not. A home addition is not a DIY project, and most likely, you will need to hire a remodeling contractor. However, before settling on the people to hire, do some research. You can ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors that have worked with a contractor before. Ensure you choose someone who has experience in the field. It is also good to ask for references. A contractor that is sure of his skills will gladly share this with you.
Have a Budget
Depending on the type of extension you are doing, you will have to set aside some money for the job. Some extensions like the bathroom are going to be more costly than if you were putting up a gym. When planning your budget, consider all details, including materials, labor, and permits. You will also need some contingency funds in case other expenses come up. Depending on your extension goals, a renovation expert or an architect can help you determine how much you will spend.
Make a List of What You Need
Make a list of everything you will need for that extension. These are physical amenities for the room. You will probably need sinks, tiles, bathtubs, fixtures, etc. If it is a bedroom, you probably need utilities like a bed, flooring, cabinets, AC, among other things. If you are on a fixed budget, work with the necessities only. Other things you can add later.
Decide Where to DIY
One way to save money is through DIY if you are on a budget. Which area do you have expertise in? For instance, if you are good at demolition without damaging electrical wiring or other utilities, this can save you some labor costs. You can also DIY by painting or designing. However, be realistic as well. For areas that need professionals, let them do the job.
Be Realistic With Your Expectations
A piece of advice to remember is that you will need to be realistic with your home addition project in terms of your budget and time frame. Sometimes there are delays, and projects take longer than expected. Other times, expenses crop up from out of nowhere, and you have to cater for them. Be flexible and try to remain patient.
A well-done addition can improve the value of your home and increase your comfort. As long as you have a great team with you and you have planned well, you can reduce the number of headaches that come with home extensions.
0
0
Average Rating