Home Additions and Remodeling
As simple as replacing counter tops, to adding additional living space. No matter the size of your project, BWTC Brings the same quality, attention to detail and value to your home.
The days of the Mc-Mansion are slowly fading. Although they were nice, 3,500 square feet homes with 12' ceilings that step up to 14' and a master bathroom big enough to park two full size pickup trucks in, homeowners are realizing, the time and expense it takes to maintain a larger homes like these and "the Great investment" they once were has also faded. More and more homeowners who are happy with their neighborhood but need additional space, a change of look or have had a lifestyle change are opting to upgrade their current home to suit their needs.
Many upgrades such as arches, crown moldings and even columns can be incorporated into an existing home giving a similar look and feel to the high end homes of recent years without the residule expense. Take a look and see how a home can be tranformed.
You have dream, a couple of pictures out of magazines and some flyers from the local big box store but where do you start, what do you do now? There are several things you can do.
Start by making a basic sketch. Are you adding space? How do you plan on using that space? Are you remodeling a kitchen or bathroom? What do you not like about the current area and what added features would you like? Will your needs be changing in the next few years and will these improvements fit in with your future?
Next talk to other people. This is especially important if you are thinking about a DIY project and have never taken on a large project. Learn about the ups and downs from other peoples experiences. You may find that this is not the type of project you want to take on yourself. The expense of buying or renting equipment, the head aches and frustration of unforeseen challenges, trying to find qualified tradesman, may not make it worth the DIY savings.
Okay, you talked to Joe down the road and the guys at the big box, did some research on the internet and have decided to hire a licensed contractor to do the job. Good move on your part, but now what?
Before you go about hiring a contractor you should make sure your financing is in order. How much do you plan on spending on your project? Also talk to your real estate professional, the project may make sense to you but verify that you will not be over building for you area. What are the must have items, have you already set your heart on that high end granite counter top or would you rather have the triple bowl kohler sink and the grohe faucet? Plan a budget and know where you can cut back if needed. Even the best planned projects need to have a contingency fund for cost overruns and unforeseen challenges. You will not really know what is behind a wall until it is exposed, so plan for it. Remember the larger the project the greater the rewards but also the greater the chance for frustration. By being realistic and planning ahead you can minimize the road bumps and the stress.
Now you have your budget together it is time to look for a contractor. Of course you want the "Best Contractor" but what does that mean? Some contractors are a better fit then others. The builder that comes recommended by a friend or relative might not be the best builder for you. Do you need or want a contractor who can also take care of the designing, plans and engineering or do you want the added expense of an architect? Do you want to be able to talk directly to the contractor or are you okay with working through a superintendent and office staff? You will need to match the contractor to your needs. It is important that you verify the contractor you are considering has a valid license and insurance before signing a contract. The risk of using an unlicensed contractor can be very costly.