For many families, adding on is often preferable to buying a bigger house in another location, where you have to worry not only about selling your home and purchasing another, but also other important concerns such as schools, commuting distance, the neighborhood, and proximity to medical facilities and other conveniences.

Room additions are not only a practical solution to a growing family’s home space needs, they are also a great way to increase the overall value of a home. If you’re already sold on getting a room addition, congratulations! You’re a step closer towards enjoying one of the most fruitful investments you’ll make on your home. However, to ensure that, there are a few considerations you have to take note of. To get you started, ask yourself the following questions:

WHAT’S MY BUDGET LIKE?

It is important to ask yourself this before you begin your home addition project because it establishes your financial capacity. Don’t be ashamed of being realistic. Setting limits may negate some options but there are tons of workarounds that your contractor can offer to ensure your satisfaction.

AM I WORKING WITH THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR?

It is imperative that you carefully choose the right home improvement professional. The skills and expertise of the contractor will determine the outcome of your home addition. Don’t forget to look for a contractor that is licensed, bonded and insured to avoid any inconveniences through the duration of the project.

PART 1: KEY CONSIDERATIONS

IS THERE A SPECIFIC DESIGN I WANT FOR THE NEW ROOM?

To help you figure out how you want your room addition to turn out, consider the following:

Location – Decide carefully where you want to place your new room, factoring in how it will affect the rest of your home. You can talk to an architect for ideas.

Outdoor Access – Do you want direct access to a patio or garden, or is privacy most important? Your room addition should address this.

Windows – Do you want to take advantage of daylighting? Your interest in harnessing natural light will aid in choosing windows for your room addition. Keep in mind too that windows will affect both the room’s indoor and outdoor appearance.

Views – If you have a stunning view outdoors, make sure you make the most of it by orienting the room to make the view a focal point.

Ceiling – A high ceiling can make a small room look bigger. You can also opt to have varying finishes in your ceiling for a more appealing space.

Lighting – The room’s function and your preferences will guide what kind of lighting fixtures you select. Don’t forget that your windows will affect lighting needs too.

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Aside from being prepared, a successful room addition is about knowing what to avoid. In the next part, we’ll be talking about common mistakes homeowners make during room addition projects.

PART 1: KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Home expansions are not by any means a simple project, but they can be very rewarding. You get more space for your family, not to mention increase the overall value of your property. However, there are times when the excitement of having a bigger space gets in the way of properly handling a room addition project. You can’t account for all bumps you’ll encounter along the way, but understanding common mistakes will help you ensure the success of your addition.

ROOM ADDITION MISTAKES TO AVOID

Choosing the wrong contractor

The biggest problems can stem from not choosing a licensed, insured and bonded home improvement company. You do not want to invest your money with inexperienced contractors or those with a bad reputation, so carefully research those you are interested in. To get started, you can check with Better Business Bureau and read reputable online reviews. Ask for references from companies you are considering.

PART 2: COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Going cheap

Wanting to save on costs is perfectly understandable, but knowingly cutting corners with materials and labor will not help you in any way. In fact, shoddy work will only bring you more headaches down the road. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for when it comes to construction.

Forgetting about your home’s capacity

If your home’s electrical panel is already handling a load of around 70 percent or more, for instance, you might have to upgrade to accommodate the room addition’s requirements. This and other structural changes can add significantly to the costs of the project.

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A big part of preparing and avoiding mistakes in a room addition project is choosing the right contractor. We’ll be rounding up this blog series in the next part with a discussion on how to choose the right contractor to help you out.

PART 2: COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

One of the most crucial aspects of any home improvement project is choosing the right contractor for the task. In the case of a room addition, you must work with a contractor who has not only the skills but the experience necessary to pull everything off. Below is a rundown of the things you have to do to find the right contractor for you.

Create a list of possible options

Ask friends and family for recommendations. You can also inquire with local real estate agents or check out local listings to get you started. Ideally, you should have at least two or three contractors on your list.

Do some digging

You can take a friend’s word for it, but supplement referrals with research so you know exactly what a contractor is capable of. Checking their Better Business Bureau rating is a good place to start as that score factors in many of the same concerns you will have. Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals too. If a contractor is truly what they say they are, they should have no trouble proving that to you.

PART 3: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

Don’t ignore your gut

First impressions last and how a contractor treats you when you’re vetting them is a great indicator of the level of customer service they are capable of. If a contractor has all the qualifications but you don’t have rapport with them, take your business elsewhere. Being able to communicate well with each other is important.

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Now that you have read everything in the series, it is time you put our tips to good use! Determine your needs, steer clear of common mistakes and work with the right contractor to ensure the success of your room addition project.

PART 3: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

The Roofing and Remodeling Company

2106 Aluminum Avenue,Suite A Hampton, VA 23661

(757) 903-0050

TheRoofingCompany.com