When you first bought your home, you probably assumed that all of your current and future needs would be taken care of. But as your family grows and your priorities change, you may come to find that your house doesn’t meet all of your criteria. If you need more living space for yourself or your loved ones, home additions can be a great way to stay in your current house while adding to your property’s functionality and overall aesthetic.
Although 35% of remodeling jobs involve the whole home, first-story and second story additions can be an excellent option if you need more usable square footage. However, any home remodeling contractor will tell you that additions can come with their challenges. An addition can certainly be well worth it in the end, of course. But for those who plan to stay in their homes during this renovation and want to ensure their expectations are realistic, you may want to refer to the following survival tips before getting started with your home remodeling contractor.
Make Peace, But Set Boundaries
With any home renovation project, you need to be prepared to have a number of professionals in your house at any one time. Although you may be expecting it, this can still feel a bit invasive. You’ll need to make peace with the fact that you may not have as much privacy during this time. While your style might feel a little cramped for now, the payoff will be worth it.
At the same time, you should talk to your home remodeling contractor about setting some boundaries. Although you might want to get the work done as quickly as possible, think very carefully before allowing your contractor and their crew to work extended hours. You may not be the one doing the work, but you’ll likely still need a break from the activity. It’s often best to limit remodeling work to regular business hours and to designate certain areas of the house as ”off-limits.” You can tape up signs to make sure that specific rooms remain undisturbed during the duration of the remodeling project.
Consider Connectivity First
Whether your home addition will serve as an office, master bedroom, or in-law suite, it’s likely that technology will come into play. If you expect to use this space for entertainment or want to amplify your home’s security measures, it’s best to make sure that the need for internet, phone lines, and other connectivity is made clear before the renovations actually start. Make sure to add this to the list during the conceptualization phase; it’ll be much more difficult to add it later and could significantly delay the renovation. Moreover, if you forget about connectivity entirely, you might have issues using the finished space to the fullest! To minimize frustration, remember to talk to your contractor about your tech-related needs from the start.
Cut Down On Dust
One of the biggest concerns homeowners have when taking on a major renovation is the amount of dust and debris that will make its way into the house. If your remodeling team will be performing any sort of demolition (e.g., knocking down walls), it’s likely that your home will get dusty. That’s a concern for anyone, but it’s especially so if you have any family members with respiratory issues.
However, this problem can be controlled if you talk to your home remodeling contractor beforehand. If your home remodeling company seals off the area of your home that’s being renovated and builds as much of the addition as possible prior to demolishing exterior walls, that will help to minimize the dust. Providing an accessible entrance and bathroom area for the crew, if possible, will help them avoid walking into other areas of your home.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be in a great position to prepare yourself for a home renovation and ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re ready to find out more about how an addition can improve your home or about other renovation possibilities, contact Legacy Builders Group today.
