Have you outgrown your home and need more space, or do you want to create a specific lifestyle that suits your style? Whatever your reasons for beginning an addition or renovation project, we’ve put together five steps to help keep you on track, on budget and in the house of your dreams.
1. Know Your Budget
As with any large purchase, having a clear budget and guidelines is vital. Understanding how much you have to spend on your addition or renovation will allow you and your home contractor to create a realistic plan that incorporates the important items on your family’s wish list as well as the necessary building costs. An experienced company will also be able to provide you with money saving advice and suggestions that just might leave a little extra in your pocket.
2. Seek Inspiration
Creating a wish list that covers every single member of your family – right down to the family pets – can be a lot of fun and effectively opens up possibilities; perhaps that master suite with custom tile work isn’t out-of-reach after all.
Platforms like Houzz, Instagram and Pinterest spark inspiration, and homeowners can easily organize and share brainstorming with family, friends and, most importantly, your contractor. With a practiced eye, a master home builder will be able to assess your likes, your dislikes, and help guide you in the right direction towards building the home of your dreams.
3. Step Outside the Box
Mentally stepping outside the confines of your existing home is a lot harder than it seems. Experts advise looking past the current structure of your house, and to instead focus on creating the house of that you want to build. Contemplating your needs and your desires without any boundaries allows you to prioritize your goals, and helps your contractor develop viable options.
4. Eye on the Prize
Professional additions and renovations add significant value to any home, but homeowners need to understand that not all investments yield the same returns. Whether you are looking to add value for an immediate sale or want to customize an existing structure to suit your lifestyle, an experienced, local building expert will be able to assess your goals, and provide you with sound building advice.
5. Don’t Overreach
Properly designing and tying in a new home addition that complements your existing structure and meets zoning restrictions is complex and best left to the experts. From the roofline to the windows and right down to the exterior finishes and the professional landscaping, a licensed builder will ensure that your new addition not only improves your home, but meets all building guidelines.