When people first purchase a home, many do not consider renovating, although it’s in the near future. There is always some aspect of a house that needs to be altered, fixed, or improved. Many Americans desire a home addition to their houses. These home additions can be in bedrooms, the family room, and various spaces within the house. Renovating and home additions have become quite popular throughout the United States. In fact, two-thirds of homeowners plan on renovating in their lifetime. Additionally, for those with newly-built custom houses, 68% of these homeowners plan to have a recreational (gaming or entertainment) area somewhere in their home. Are you a homeowner planning on renovating or considering a home addition? If so, here are some things you should know.

The Importance Of A Home Improvement Contractor

It is important to hire a home improvement contractor for your renovations or home addition. Researching and finding the proper, knowledgable contractor for your renovations, remodeling, or home addition decreases the chance of the project failing, which in turn leads to more money out of your pocket. Additionally, the right contractor for your project will have the correct experience in the specific area (home addition, garage addition, basement finishing, etc). This ensures that the job will be completed well and with a reasonable cost.

You should connect with your contractor as soon as possible. Connecting simply means building a relationship with the individual who is in charge of making your house ideal for you. You want a contractor who is easy to talk with. Your contractor needs to understand your desires and goals for the project. You should engage in a weekly conversation with your contractor either by phone, email, or face-to-face (if possible). It is also imperative that you check your contractor’s credentials!

Basement Remodeling

Basement remodeling is a popular form of home renovations. In a survey, basement finishing was the most popular. When remodeling your basement there are various things you should consider. The first thing to consider occurs before you even begin renovations. This is check to see if your basement is dry. Some people tend to have water issues in their basement. It is important to make sure there aren’t any drops of water on or around the walls of your basement. Once your determine that your basement is free of water and moisture, check to see if you need specific permits. After that, you’re all set to begin remodeling.

Once you start remodeling your basement, you’ll have an endless amount of choices when it comes to walls, lighting, ceilings, etc. Think about the temperature of your basement, first. It’s important to keep your basement warm in the winter months, therefore, cold air stays out and warm air stays in. Your contractor can insulate your basement, which controls the temperature of your basement. You’ll want to discuss options of insulation with your contractor. There is an insulation with vapor barriers on both sides, and there is also a spray foam insulation.

You can ask your contractor about different kinds of ceilings to consider. Suspended ceilings come highly recommended for some basements. These ceilings conceal electrical plumbing. Additionally, lighting is also something you can ask your contractor about. If you do want a suspended ceiling, recessed lighting pairs well with this. They are different than a traditional light fixture because they do not take up overhead space. This makes it an ideal form of light for those with a suspended ceiling in their basement.

Home Addition

There are a few things to think about when it’s home addition time. Most importantly, research any legal restrictions before adding on to your home. What can and cannot be built on the property? You are essentially building a mini home. This needs to be put into consideration because it involves the same construction process as building a normal home (foundation, footers, framing, zoning, permitting, HVAC, flooring, plumbing, electrical, etc). Next, consider your space and design of your house. You’ll want your addition to match this. Home addition contractors have expertise in this area. Think about the future. Will you sell your house? Will additions benefit this? Lastly, have fun adding on!