Constructing a new addition to your home is one of the largest home-improvement projects you can take on. However, it also adds more value than almost any other project, and can greatly enhance your enjoyment of your home.
Before you begin such a project, there are some important steps you need to take. Some need to be done before you contact potential builders or general contractors, and some have to do with hiring the contractor.
In this article we’ll review some common types of home additions, as well as give you some general guidelines to follow, for the sake of safety and quality, when hiring a contractor or builder.
Adding Directly to your Home
Perhaps the most common form of home addition is an addition built directly onto the existing structure. Many people do this to add extra space. The addition might house a larger kitchen, an expanded living area, or a set of bedrooms to accommodate a growing family. In some cases, homeowners add entire apartments onto their homes. This is quite common if a family member is coming to stay in the home permanently, or if the homeowners are seeking extra income through renting out the addition.
When considering such an addition, it’s essential to take into account exactly how the addition will flow into the rest of the house. There are many poorly-conceived additions in the world, and they’re eyesores. They’re often badly planned and tend to stick out at odd angles, making themselves very obvious additions. A well-planned addition should flow with the rest of the house as though it was built at the same time as the original structure.
Constructing a Guest House
On larger properties, a guest house is a very common way to welcome overnight visitors in style. These houses are generally constructed in the style of the original structure, for the sake of continuity. In most cases, they look like a smaller version of the main home.
Due to their intended use as guest housing, these buildings are generally very well appointed. Many feature luxurious extras such as full kitchens, spiral staircases and whirlpool baths. The cost of constructing an entire building for the sole purpose of guests makes this a project (usually) for more affluent builders, and this is the reason for the added luxuries.
If you want to provide privacy for your guests but don’t’ have the money for a luxurious home, don’t be discouraged. Some very attractive and cozy guest homes have been designed in the style of rustic cabins. This décor almost always means lowered costs, and the overall effect is very welcoming.
Building a Pool House
The definition of a pool house is very loose. The only requirement is that a pool is nearby. Other than that, you’re only limited by your imagination! Some pool houses are very much like guest houses, offering shelter for overnight visitors. Others are designed more like small resort cabins. Still others take the water theme right inside the structure, creating an ornate and whimsical building. The best pool houses have showers available for swimmers. These can be simple showers outside the structure itself, or fully equipped shower stalls inside. A large patio or deck area is also desirable, for those who prefer to lie out next to the pool and soak up the sun.
Even if you’re only constructing the most basic of structures but are planning on installing showers, check with your local regulations. In many areas, installing any new plumbing requires special permits.
Sheds and Garden Buildings
While you always have the option of purchasing a ready-made shed and sticking it in a corner, why not spend a bit more and add some functional beauty to your property? Many homeowners are taking this opportunity to add value and eye appeal to their yards. A garden building can be as simple as a rustic tool shed or as elaborate as a small barn. As always, the style should match your home for the most fluid appearance.
Build depending on your needs. A city home looks best with…and probably only has room for…a small shed. Surrounded by landscaping and constructed of sustainable materials, however, a small shed can make a big statement! Adjust the size of the building depending on the size of your property, and your outdoor needs.
Using the Newest Materials
When building a new addition, using the most environmentally-friendly building materials is a major concern. Thankfully, many home-improvement stores have recognized this. They now offer pipes, lumber, insulation and virtually every product imaginable in a version that has a much lower impact on the environment than its predecessor.
You should look for products which offer one or more of the following attributes: energy efficiency, sustainable forestry or harvesting, chemical-free treatments, mold and mildew retardation, water conservation and air quality.
If labels don’t’ make it clear which products are better for the environment, ask your contractor, or a knowledgeable employee at a home-improvement warehouse.
Hire the Best of the Best
Thanks to home-improvement websites which allow consumers and contractors to connect, the process of hiring somebody reliable has become much easier. You still need to do a bit of work, however. It’s always a good idea to insist upon a few details. If you ensure these details right away, you’ll be left with a pool of highly qualified professional from which to choose.
Licenses should be up to date and applicable to the work you need done. Insurance should be current and should cover every single worker that a contractor has on his crew. References should be full of satisfied customers, and your contractor should have experience in the type of job you’re hiring him for.
Following a few simple guidelines can make your search for a reliable professional much easier, and this, in turn, will make your entire addition project a pleasant experience instead of a worrisome headache.
