Hard, But Meaningful WorkHard But Meaningful Work


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Hard, But Meaningful Work

Over the years, as we have observed contractors working on our home, one thing has become clear: this is not easy work. Whether the contractor is replacing pipes, framing a new room, or installing flooring, they are always working really hard to get the job done. We admire this. Many other professionals could benefit from observing this work ethic. As soon as we realized how hard contractors work, we had to share that fact on the internet. In fact, there are lots of other facts about contractors that we feel are worthy of sharing, which is why we continue to post on this blog.

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High-Level Questions To Ask Before Deciding To Add On To Your Home

Sometimes adding on to a home is a smart move. It can give you more space for an extra bedroom. Or, it may give you space for a mudroom so you can get all of your coats and shoes out of the hallway. But building an addition to your home is not always as easy or straightforward as you would hope. It's therefore helpful for you to ask some high-level questions before deciding whether this is the right choice for you. Ponder these questions yourself, and if you have a remodeling contractor in mind, run these questions by them, too.

Where do setback regulations allow you to add on to your home?

In most towns and cities, you are not allowed to build closer than a certain distance from a property line. For instance, your building may have to end 20 feet from the property line. As such, you may not be able to legally add on to certain sides of your home, even if there technically is space to do so. Learn what the setback regulations are in your area, and do some measuring to figure out what sides of your home could actually accommodate the addition. Then, ask whether those parts of your home are places where you really want an addition.

Can your current HVAC system accommodate more space?

If you add on to your home, that means there will be more space for your HVAC system to heat and cool. If your system is already maxed out, this may mean you have to upgrade when you add on. This adds to the expense of an addition unless you happen to be due for an HVAC replacement anyways. If you're not sure whether your HVAC appliances can accommodate more space, ask the HVAC contractor who installed them. Your renovation contractor may also be able to recommend some other options, such as installing a heat pump to heat and cool just the addition.

Do you want or need a basement? 

You can have an addition built just above grade on a poured concrete pad. Or you can add on to the basement below the addition, too. Decide which approach you would rather take so you can talk to your contractor about whether it is feasible with the soil quality in your area.

Asking these high-level questions will give you more insight into whether a home addition truly is right for you. 

To find out more, contact a company like Spectrum Home Services.