Building a home addition to your home’s current design is not exactly the same as other smaller home improvement projects, such as replacing the front door, renovating the kitchen or having new windows installed, the start of the process is very much the same. The first step is always to sit down and think. A home addition is one of the biggest projects a home owner can commit to but it doesn’t mean that the first steps are any different than other projects. Before you get in touch with custom home builders capable of building your home addition, you need to think about what you actually want. What type of features does the addition need to have? Who will be using the space created? By answering those questions you can take the first steps to a successful home addition project. Integrity Contracting has been helping clients in Toronto, East York and Etobicoke plan for designs and build beautiful home additions that have not just added additional space to existing homes but we have done so in a way that meets the client’s needs and preferences perfectly. During this article we are going to explore some of the other questions you should ask yourself sooner rather than later if you are thinking of investing in a home addition.
Questions to Answer Before You Start a Home Addition Project
Many people get in touch with custom home builders either the same day or a few days after deciding that a home addition is a project they may like to pursue. What these people forget is that while a contractor will be able to share their expertise, no-one knows the requirements and preferences of a project quite like you do, so consult yourself before anyone else. Answering these questions will usually provide you with more direction before you get too heavily involved.
Can You Get What You Want for Less Money?
This is a great question to ask yourself in order to determine whether a home addition is the right choice for your particular circumstances. Why do you want to add space to your property? Is your family growing and your current living arrangements are somewhat overcrowded? Or are you looking to add extra space for entertainment purposes? Do you have an attic or basement space that could be renovated to provide what you want? Often this existing space is overlooked and not considered by clients as potential living space.
Look Past What You Already Have
It can be hard to come up with design ideas and imagine how you would want the home addition to look like, when all you can see now is a “dead-end” in your home. Forget that; in fact don’t even look at what you already have. Try to visualize the home addition as a separate building right now and come up with your perfect design. Think about the design styles you would like to incorporate and the features that absolutely must be present.
Are You Sure You Don’t Want to Move?
Moving is usually the main alternative to a home addition and you need to be sure that moving is not a better option before you commit to a home addition. When moving, you will be uprooting your family from a place they know extremely well and are perhaps attached to (especially in the case of young children), but it does offer you the chance to find a home that has everything you need. The downside of course is that you will hardly ever be able to get the layout of a home exactly how you want when buying an existing property, whereas a home addition can be customized to your specific needs. Having a home addition built makes no sense unless you are thinking of staying in your current property for at least several more years.
Think About the Money
Ask yourself whether you’re prepared for the financial commitment a home addition requires. That extra space comes at a cost and you need to make sure you are in a position to afford it. The exact cost will depend on the size of your addition as well as the features that you would like included, In a rough estimate you should be prepared to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot.
The last thing you want to do is end up regretting your choice when you’re halfway through the project and contracts have been signed. By asking yourself these questions you can rule out other options that could potentially meet your needs and you can sleep easy at night knowing that the best decision has been made. The next step is to get in touch with custom home builders, tell them about your requirements and then get a quote.
Talk to our team about your home addition, please call 647-738-4395.
Integrity Contracting is known for quality work, honesty and professional results that increase value to our customer’s properties. We know we can provide you with answers and solutions to your projects needs; we are qualified, licensed professionals – proven & trustworthy – who always deliver projects on time and on budget. We specialize in Home Additions, Framing, Basement Underpinning, Demolition and Excavation. Visit us on Google+.