Home additions are one of the most frequently sought-after types of construction projects in the country. It is only natural that people’s needs change over time, accompanied by what they need from their home environment. This is why working with home addition contractors can be such a benefit. Contractors have a depth of experience, from understanding the intricacies of home addition design to problem-solving during the construction process. Most people do not have the skill set required to accomplish a large construction project on their own. But how do you tell when a home addition contractor is the right choice for you? Let’s go through the basics of home additions and find out.
Benefits of Expanding Your Home
There are many reasons to work with home addition contractors. Perhaps you moved into a house and you require a specialized space that was not set up when the house was built. One example of this could be an artist studio or a soundproof room for sound engineering and instrument practice. You may find that your housing needs change over time as your family grows and your children get older. Increasing storage is another draw of house additions. Small homes may not have enough cabinets or storage rooms to hold the necessities of your daily life. On the other hand, you might be looking for extra income by transforming part of your property into a rental space. Home additions are not always about adding brand-new space. Sometimes, home addition design focuses more on partitioning space to better suit your needs, like adding a half-wall divider between the kitchen and the living room.
Types of House Additions
Most people have the same desires when they seek out home addition builders for assistance. The most conventional projects are additions of a small batch of rooms as needed. Adding guest rooms, bathrooms, and family rooms provides immediate benefits to the family living in the house. Another common project is a single-room addition. This project, also called a bump out, adds space and function to a single wing of your house. Garage additions and conversions are an excellent way to make use of all the space you have available. A more luxurious and no less desirable option is to build a sunroom. Sunrooms don’t have to be attached to the main building, since their primary purpose is for lounging and other isolated activities. Sunrooms often don’t include internal amenities since they are not intended to be used year-round. They offer an opportunity to showcase your property with a different architectural style.
Essentials of Home Addition Design
Once you have decided on the type of addition you want to build, consider the architectural design of the space. Home addition projects oriented towards goals like improving property value are for not if the look of the addition detracts from the overall beauty of the building. Work with an architect and home addition contractors to make sure you do not break any rules of architectural harmony. Also, consider the function of the space. Is the house’s electrical system set up for the additional burden of lighting the new space? Is it possible to extend internal ventilation? Will the storage in the room interrupt the walking flow from one side to another? If the idea passes with flying colors, consult with experts on energy efficiency. Check that the insulation, windows, and materials will not spike your utility costs.
Consider Budget, Permits, and Regulations
Of course, before you start building, you need to confirm whether the planned house additions are legal and feasible. Contact your local zoning department regarding any permits required to do home addition work. Many municipalities have strict standards not only to ensure the safety of their residents but also to preserve the unique local charm of the neighborhood. Permits cost different amounts of money based on the location of your property and the size of the project, but they are usually substantial enough that you should factor them into your budgeting. Speaking of budgeting, get quotes from local home addition contractors and choose the best one for you based on a combination of pricing and work quality. You shouldn’t break the bank, but it is not worth it to pay as little as possible and end up having to redo the work years later.
Understanding the Construction Timeline
When you have permits paid for, the budget sorted, and the regulations triple-checked, the home addition contractors can begin construction. First, they demolish and take down all features of the building that will need to be replaced or changed. For room additions, this can include exterior walls and windows. Then, the home addition builders will add framing to lay out the skeleton of the new structure. Specialists add infrastructure for plumbing, electricity, and HVAC onto the frame. Then the contractor covers it with insulation and drywall, paints over the new walls and ceilings, and finishes with furniture additions and flooring. The last touch is checking over the final product for quality control.
Selecting the Right Home Addition Contractors For You
Finding the right home addition contractors is largely a matter of assessing expertise. Receiving quotes from multiple contractors and thoroughly studying their portfolios will allow you to make your judgments about who is the most qualified for your project. Check their credentials and insurance to avoid any unwanted surprises in later phases. This is also the step at which you should gauge your home addition builders’ communication style. It is best to work with contractors whom you comprehend and who see you as standing on equal footing. Online reviews may be helpful but cited testimonials are worth their weight in gold.
ETI Can Help!
ETI Construction is one of Chicago’s foremost construction and restoration contractors. Our successful projects include commercial construction, multi-family construction, and multi-family restoration projects of all sizes. Our team’s wide array of expertise makes us the perfect option for any project that requires a multi-faceted approach. This makes us your ideal solution for house additions. We delight in personalizing our projects and getting to know you to help shape the results to your specific tastes. Our use of data when analyzing our work allows us to bring the full breadth of what we learn to each new project. When you work with us, you can trust that we bring our best. Reach out today if you have any questions about our process, or ask us for a quote if you have a project in mind.