Is your home starting to feel smaller? Maybe your family has spent a lot of time crowded together over the last couple of years, you’re expecting a new baby, or you simply need some extra space for a hobby room or a home office. If moving to another home isn’t an option for you, it may be time to consider ways to add some extra square footage to your house. But where do you start? How do you go about planning a room addition you’ll be happy with?
Before you start swinging a sledgehammer or go on a buying spree at your local home improvement store, you need to have a plan, which should definitely include working with an experienced room addition contractor so you don’t miss any important details. By following the tips outlined below, you have a better chance of creating a plan that will be successful.
Consider Your Reasons for Adding a Room
What do you want to accomplish with a room addition? Do you need a guest room where visitors can have privacy? Do your growing kids need some extra space of their own where they can hang out with their friends? After you’ve identified precisely what you want to achieve, consider whether remodeling or reconfiguring your current space might be a suitable alternative. Renovating can be less costly than adding a new room, so it’s important to ask yourself these questions before you start planning.
Will a room addition make your home more valuable? Even if you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, it’s a good idea to consider how a room addition can increase your home’s value. A good way to answer this question is to find out the square footage and what types of rooms are available in the other houses in your neighborhood. For example, if your home has only one bathroom but the other homes on the block have two or more, it can make sense financially to add another one to your home.
Determine a Reasonable Budget
Prior to making the final decision to go ahead with a room addition, you need to know exactly how much you can afford. Every room addition project is unique, so costs will vary. But before choosing room additions contractors, San Diego homeowners can do some preliminary research on their own. While an accurate estimate of project costs can only be obtained from a professional contractor, you can start drawing up a rough budget by considering factors such as the size and design of your room addition, the materials you’ll want to use, and the cost of labor.
You’ll also need to think about how you’ll pay for your room addition. Common options include obtaining a home equity loan or line of credit, refinancing your mortgage, and dipping into your savings. If you’re going to finance your addition, figure out a payment plan you’ll be comfortable with. Decide how much you’re willing to pay monthly as well as your preferences for the length of the loan.
You’ll also need to consider expenses that aren’t directly related to your new room’s construction. These include potentially higher costs for heating and cooling, increased premiums for your home insurance, and a larger property tax bill.
Find an Experienced Room Addition Contractor
The best way to ensure the success of your room addition project is to work with an experienced professional contractor. Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors who’ve had rooms added to their homes. Carefully read online reviews, and look for testimonials on the contractor’s website that offer specific details about the company’s craftsmanship, trustworthiness, and affordability. You’ll want to choose a contracting company that guarantees its workmanship and is fully insured.
The Forever Builders team will assist you through every step of your room addition. San Diego homeowners rely on us to provide the most affordable home remodeling services and ensure their visions become reality. From design to completion, we’ll help you create the room addition you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our exceptional remodeling services, give one of our friendly team members a call today at (833) 243-5624.