If you plan to construct an addition to your home, you may wonder about your options. According to Higgason Homes, you should first decide what your home needs. Ask yourself if your addition will be done because your home needs repairs, your family needs more space, or you would like an updated appearance. Here are some suggestions for changes that could be perfect home additions:
Getting Your Home Ready
If your home addition requires removing one or more walls, you will need the services of demolition contractors. Perfect home additions don’t always require tearing down the entire home. A partial demolition can be done, demolishing only the necessary wall. A professional demolition contractor can remove one wall safely and then move the demolished material to a safe place.
Before a demolition team comes to your home, you must remove any furniture near the wall that will be torn down. Remove any wall hangings or curtains, and move dishes to another part of the house. If you have a computer or television plugged into that wall, it must be moved.
The outdoor area next to the wall must also be cleared. You should safely move any plants or flowers in the region, especially checking to see if there are roots of any trees that could be affected by the demolition. Electricity should be shut off at the main breaker, while the gas supply can be stopped by turning a valve near the gas meter.
Choosing the Right Contractor
To be sure perfect home additions are done properly, you must work with one of the local custom home builders. If you have friends or family members who have had recent construction work done, you can ask them for a recommendation. An experienced construction team may also include members who can work on wiring, temperature, or plumbing and use their building skills.
When you interview construction teams for your project, discuss your plans with them. Ask any prospective contractor for references and look at pictures of their previous projects. You will also want to see their business license and ask which types of ongoing training are offered to their contractors.
A reputable contractor should be bonded and have insurance. After you share your plans with a prospective contractor, each one should give you a written estimate. According to Travelers, you should get several estimates before you make a final selection. Once you sign the contract, you must agree on a down payment and schedule.
Matching the Old and New Roofs
When you plan to construct a home addition, the roofs of both parts of the house should match. Age and weather conditions will change the color of your existing roof’s shingles. Experienced roofers understand that matching roofs are important to the finished home’s overall appearance. Roofers who are involved in producing perfect home additions will be aware of methods that can be used to help the two roofs match.
Even if the same shingle materials are used, the existing roof materials will have faded with time and age. According to McFall Roofing, you should take a sample shingle from your present roof and give it to the contractor. The contractor can then try to match the new tiles to your current ones. The same website recommends that if you can’t find a matching tile, you should use a tile that is lighter in color but similar in style.
If there is a change in color between the two parts of the roof, it wouldn’t be as startling if the shingle style on both parts is the same. Before the new addition is constructed, cleaning the shingles on your existing roof is a must. Once dirt or weather stains are washed away, the two adjoining roofs will appear more natural – even if the tile colors don’t match.
Making a Special Porch Space
A porch can serve several purposes and improve your home’s curb appeal. A prospective home buyer may be able to envision a porch enclosure as an added living space. If your home already has a porch, enclosing that space can quickly be done. Porches may be the perfect home additions for those who love sitting outdoors.
One option for enclosing a porch is to use tinted aluminum screens. The most significant appeal of porch screens is avoiding backyard pests such as flies and mosquitos. Some modern companies offer motorized screens, which can open to let in the outdoor air when conditions are favorable.
Other homeowners prefer a glass screen for their porch enclosures. Double-paned glass can transform a room into an additional living space rather than merely an entertainment option. You can choose thermally engineered glass that efficiently regulates your porch’s temperature, allowing you to view your outdoor space from the comfort of your home.
Keeping the Water Flowing
When you build an addition to your home, you may want it to have access to your home’s plumbing system. This will depend on whether you will need water or toilet facilities inside the home addition. If so, ask your construction company whether they can help with plumbing services. If they do not, you will need to find a plumbing contractor.
It is essential to consider whether your current plumbing system uses pipes that will need help to convert to today’s standards. According to HGTV, modern plumbing systems typically use plastic water supply lines. Although these new pipes require an initial investment, this newer style of plumbing pipes can easily be installed. If the new addition will include a toilet or sink, you must also install new drainage fixtures.
Another consideration when using plumbing features for perfect home additions will be whether you need a water heater for the new plumbing. You can ask the plumbing contractor whether to choose an extra water heater or replace the current water heater with one large-capacity water heater. Either of these choices will mean an expenditure, but your contractor can help you decide which is right for you.
Maintaining a Comfortable Home
When planning perfect home additions, the temperature of the new space will be an essential consideration. If your home addition will function as a living space, it will need heating and cooling features. One of the most popular choices is to expand the use of your current HVAC system by adding ductwork to the walls of your new addition.
For a larger home addition – such as a mother-in-law suite or an additional room, you would need to install an additional HVAC unit. Ask the HVAC contractor about an arrangement called a ductless mini-split. According to Furnace Heaters, these systems include an outdoor air compressor and one or more indoor air handling units. These choices would allow you to customize heat or cooling services for each room.
If your finances are tight, another option would be to use PTACs (packaged terminal air conditioners) and baseboard heating units. Although these solutions don’t offer one centralized control, they can help you provide a comfortable temperature when needed. Consider the frequency with which you will use the additional space and the climate where you live. These considerations will help you choose the right solution for you and your family.
Converting Your Garage as a Home Addition
Although you may appreciate having a place to park your car, you may want to convert your garage into a home addition if you need additional space for your home. This is a popular choice, and it will involve a garage door repair and installation company. Many people consider converted garages to be the perfect home additions.
You must get a building permit from your local municipality before converting your garage into a home addition. If you live in a planned community, be sure your community guidelines allow for a garage conversion. You may need to be made aware of the parking regulations in your community. If parking your cars on the street will be a problem, you should know it now.
A converted garage can be an additional living space, a playroom, a home office, or a studio for artists or crafters. Talk to your contractor about installing insulation and the electrical wiring your garage conversion will need. With some planning and coordination with the construction company, you can plan and execute the garage conversion that best fits your needs.
Paving the Driveway During Home Additions
While reviewing your options for perfect home additions, it’s an excellent time to consider other changes that could increase your curb appeal. Repaved or newly paved driveways can also make your property more attractive. Even if you have decided to convert your garage into a living space, repaving your driveway or walkway is a good investment in the appearance of your home.
Although many homeowners still prefer the classic appearance of asphalt, today’s paving companies offer a variety of looks for paving options. One popular type of paving used in today’s homes utilizes bricks. Cobblestones are another attractive alternative. These natural options are perfect for decorative walks or driveways leading to converted garages.
Asphalt is still the most popular paving material. According to the Spruce, asphalt driveways perform like concrete driveways but are less expensive. The website estimates an asphalt driveway will cost $5 to $13 per square foot.
Preparing Your Yard for a Lawn
Perhaps your ideas for perfect home additions won’t involve constructed features. Instead, your new addition might be a new landscape or property feature. If you want a beautiful lawn, the most frequent decision will be whether you choose sod installation or choose to seed for your yard. Those who prefer sod installations can point to its ability to produce a lush, green lawn quickly.
According to the Veron Company, sod installation costs less than yard seeding. One of the reasons for its reduced cost is that sod installation involves less labor and can be done manually. A sod lawn is grown in a greenhouse under monitored conditions before it is distributed to consumers for use on their lawns. Therefore, you can count on them displaying green, healthy grass as soon as they are installed.
In addition to the benefit of seeing grass right away, a sod lawn will remain healthy and green longer than a seeded lawn. This will mean less maintenance to the area. You will need to water the sod, but that can be done with a sprinkler. According to Home Service Pros, the best times to water your sod lawn is early in the morning or at the beginning of the evening.
Using Seeding to Grow Your Lawn
Despite the benefits of sod, many people looking for their perfect home additions prefer the more traditional method of yard seeding. Although it takes several more steps than sod installation, some people believe it looks more natural. Other homeowners choose to use seeding because they want the satisfaction of planting and nurturing their lawns. If you’re buying your grass seed and are unsure what type to buy, check with the clerk where you are buying the seed.
To plant a lawn from the ground up, you must first till the soil. The most frequently suggested method for tilling is using a rototiller. According to the Spruce, you should lightly water the soil before planting the seed and then plant ¼ of the seed at a time. The website recommends planting the same amount of seed three times, distributing the seed over the whole lawn, and raking the soil after each seeding.
After planting the seeds, you must water the soil regularly to help the lawn seeds grow. It is essential not to let the soil dry out. According to the Spruce, your lawn should sprout in seven to fourteen days. After that, you should continue to water the seeds. It is also recommended not to let your grass grow about four inches in height before mowing.
When you consider all the options for perfect home additions, your best option will probably occur to you quickly. Consider your budget or your ability to obtain financing. It would help to consider whether you and your family will temporarily need to stay elsewhere while renovating your home. Most of all, use this opportunity to display your style and flair to the neighborhood while enjoying the look of a new home addition.
