One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of owning a home is the opportunity to make it your own. Whether you want to renovate, remodel or add on entirely new features, there are many choices available for homeowners looking to make their homes more suitable for their needs. One such renovation option is building an addition to your house.
This can be done in various ways – from attaching an extra room or two onto existing space, adding a porch or deck off the back of the house, even extending outwards with another story if desired. However, you should never just hire a contractor and start building. There are many things to consider when adding to your home, from structural integrity to zoning requirements. Take the time to ask potential contractors these four questions to ensure you find the right one.
1. Who Will Be Doing the Actual Construction Work?
To ensure a smooth and safe building process, home addition contractors should have qualified workers that they can dispatch as needed. You want someone who has experience working on your type of project so that the addition is built correctly and in line with local safety regulations. Please make sure you check references to verify this, especially when it comes to any workers commonly involved in actual construction. For example, if you are adding on an extra story, make sure the contractor has someone familiar with building stairways up to heights.
2. How Long Will the Work Take?
A reputable contractor should be able to give you a realistic time frame on how long your addition or renovation will take. With that said, it is important to keep in mind that due to unforeseen circumstances, some projects may go over schedule. It\’s never a bad idea to get a best-case scenario and a worst-case scenario so that you are aware of what to expect in either situation.
3. What Building Materials Will Be Used?
Your home addition contractor should have a good idea of what materials are best for your particular project. They should provide you with a list of options based on budget and your taste. You may want to confirm that their quote includes the desired materials since this isn’t always standard procedure.
4. What Is Included?
Finally, when choosing a contractor, make sure you ask upfront about the specifics of your project. A professional should provide you with an exact price quote for their services before they start on the work. This is to avoid any added costs which arise in the future due to mistakes, unexpected damage to property, or anything else. Any reputable contractor should also offer a warranty on their work and ensure no hidden fees are left unstated.
According to Nerdwallet.com, more than three-quarters of respondents (79 percent) would be more cautious if a home improvement professional was required to enter their home due to Covid 19 concerns. Therefore, it is important to consider the safety protocols your contractor has put in place to prevent or minimize the spread of the disease. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your home addition project while still keeping you safe.
