Home Improvement Blog

Increase the Value of Your Property by Building or Rebuilding Your Garage

September 10, 20150

Plan your garage with the help of contractors for home additions.

Contractors for home additions can plan your garage.

One of the biggest selling points for a home is whether there is a garage. Many homeowners see a garage as more than a place to keep their cars safely parked out of the elements. Contractors for garage additions in Newton, MA, will tell you a garage is a necessity for storing outdoor tools and other items typically used outside. If your custom built home plans didn’t previously include a garage or you’ve been thinking about upgrading, now may be the time to increase the value of your home and improve its appeal.

Consider the Surrounding Area

Newton contractors for home additions can help you evaluate the importance of a garage by looking at the other homes around you. If a significant portion of the existing homes don’t have a garage, it may not do much harm to your resale value. However, it could also make your home more appealing if you’re thinking about putting it on the market. On the other hand, if most of the surrounding homes do have garages, your value can be significantly decreased as a result, making your home less appealing, even if it were the only one on the market.

Consider hiring contractors for garage additions.

Contractors for garage additions can be a great option.

Determine the Appropriate Size

The proper size for a garage addition can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. One of the most important pieces of information is how much room you have available. If your home is too close to a lot line, you may have to settle for a smaller garage to ensure you meet zoning restrictions. However, if lot size isn’t an issue, you need to consider what size offers the most value to your home. An over-sized, ornately designed garage on a modest, smaller home won’t help the property value. The key is to make sure your garage addition matches your existing home in style and size.

Detached or Attached

This question can be one of the most difficult ones to address. In some cases, an attached garage is the only option due to the placement and property lines that already exist. It also adds the convenience of entering and leaving the garage without going out into the elements, which can be attractive, especially in the winter months. However, there are some people who prefer a detached garage because it reduces the amount of fumes that enter the home and the risk of fire associated with items typically located in the garage. Ultimately, the choice is largely personal barring any zoning restrictions.

Hiring contractors for garage additions in Newton, MA, is a necessity to ensure the project is done right. Whether you’re adding a garage to your home for the first time or you’re changing the size or style of your existing garage, there are many factors to consider. Be sure you’re working with experienced Newton contractors for home additions so you can feel confident in the choices you make.

If your custom built home plans in Newton and the surrounding areas include a garage addition, contact us. Our experienced contractors will ensure your project is completed on time and within your budget.

What to Consider When Your Home Addition Plans Include a Basement Remodel

September 3, 20150

Get the right work permit before carrying out home addition plans.

Make sure your basement home addition plans include the work permit.

Your basement can seem like wasted space due to its condition and lack of finishing, but when your home addition floor plans in Needham include a basement remodel, you can create a beautiful, functional space. Contractors for home additions take great pride in transforming your cold, dark basement into a place you will enjoy spending time in. Before you begin this aspect of your home addition plans, consider the following.

The Condition of the Area

The condition of your basement can play a major role in the ability to transform it into a livable space. When you’re considering Massachusetts premier home remodeling and additions, you need to make sure the money you invest is safe. This means you need to address any moisture issues to ensure your basement remains dry. This will prevent mold and water damage to your additions. Taking care of any waterproofing and repairs should be done prior to completing a remodeling project.

Choose the Right Materials

Basements require certain materials that are designed to hold up well in a moist environment and can help prevent mold. Flooring is of particular importance. Talk to experienced contractors for home additions in Needham and the surrounding areas to determine which types of flooring and other materials are best suited for a basement environment. When you take the time to make the right choices now, you will save major expenses and headaches in the future.

Your home addition floor plans should include the basement.

Consider your basement in home addition floor plans.

Create a Stylish Staircase

Too many homeowners ignore the staircase when they’re working on a basement remodel. It either becomes an afterthought or they don’t think about it at all. However, if you’re turning your basement into an extension of your existing living space, you should have a staircase that reflects that and ties it in with the rest of your home. Consider making some minor changes to the layout and create a beautiful staircase you would want to have in another area of your home.

Don’t Forget the Permits

Just because you’re making changes inside your home doesn’t mean you won’t need permits to complete the work. Your home contractor can discuss this important step when creating your home addition floor plans. In most cases, your contractor will take care of obtaining the appropriate permits to ensure your project is completed in a timely manner.

If you’re considering Massachusetts premier home remodeling and additions, the basement can be a great place to start. While this is a common request among homeowners, few people truly recognize what it takes to transform a basement into additional living spaces. Choosing the right contractor and following these steps will ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible.

If you’re looking for contractors for home additions in Needham or the surrounding areas, contact us. Colony Home Improvement can help you create livable space from just about any basement.

How to Successfully Integrate a Second Story Addition to Blend in With Your Massachusetts Home

August 27, 20150

Sometimes you need more space in your home, but you have no room to build out. When this happens, a Plymouth County home improvement contractor can help you draw up home addition floor plans that make the most of your space by building up. A second story addition in Hingham and the surrounding towns can add up to double the space you already have. However, it’s important to make sure you fully integrate the second story with your current home so it looks natural.

Adding a second story addition should blend in.

A second story addition should look natural.

Talk to Your Contractor

The first step in the process is to find a home improvement contractor that can provide this service. Not all contractors are willing to take on this task. However, when you take the time to choose someone who has experience, you can feel confident your home will look like it was originally designed as a two-story home. Once you find the right contractor, you can discuss whether your home can support a second story and any other preliminary steps that may be needed, such as permits.

Choose the Right Exterior

Integrating your second story addition with your existing floor plan can be difficult, especially if you live in an older home. Siding materials have changed drastically over the years and finding a perfect match may be complicated, especially if your home is made from brick. An experienced contractor may be able to find a match, but if not, you may need to consider changing the entire exterior of your home. In some cases, such as when you have a brick home, they may be able to use vinyl siding on the second story in a way that transitions smoothly and looks natural.

Make sure your home addition floor plans match the rest of your home.

Home addition floor plans should blend in.

A Seamless Transition

Adding a second story naturally requires more than just matching the exterior of the home; the interior transition must also be seamless. For some homes, this means creating a second story that spans the entire first floor. In other situations, adding a second story addition above the garage or one small part of the home may be all that is needed, particularly in size. Your home improvement contractor can help you create home addition floor plans that flow naturally and create the illusion that your home was always two stories.

Building a second story addition in Hingham requires careful attention to detail. Not only does your contractor need to determine if your home is a suitable candidate for this type of renovation, but they also need to complete the project so no one can tell it was added as an afterthought. With the help of a qualified Plymouth County home improvement contractor, your new second floor addition will match both the exterior materials and design, as well as the interior, to create a seamless transition between the old and the new.

If you’re looking for a contractor experienced in second story additions, contact us. We can help you create a plan and get all the necessary approvals to enlarge your home.

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Pantry for Your New Custom Built Floor Plan

August 20, 20150

A great pantry should be part of your custom built floor plan.

A custom built floor plan should include a great pantry.

For those who love to cook, having a great kitchen pantry is an absolute must. When creating a custom built floor plan with the help of an MA home improvement contractor, it’s important to consider the right location and size for this critical element. Before you start working with a contractor for room additions in Plymouth County, be sure to consider these factors to help you make the right decision.

Visibility

While it may seem best to keep your pantry hidden from view, this can create challenges when you’re trying to cook. After all, who wants to keep going back and forth for missing ingredients when they could be within easy reach? Placing your kitchen pantry in close proximity to your cooking area will ensure the functionality you want. If you still want to hide the contents from visitors and your family, consider installing a pocket or accordion door that complements your kitchen cabinets.

Shelving Is Critical

It may seem obvious the shelves can make or break your kitchen pantry design, but some people overlook this important detail. Not only does a quality shelving system create the storage space you need, but it also adds value to your home and will last much longer. Because of the weight of some of the products or kitchen tools you will store here, it’s important to feel confident your shelves will hold up to the wear and tear. Talk to your MA home improvement contractor about making the best use of the space.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about a kitchen pantry.

A home improvement contractor has plenty of ideas for your kitchen pantry.

Consider Hidden Storage

Not everything has to be immediately visible. In fact, your custom built floor plan in Duxbury can include hidden storage to keep small items organized and out of the way, yet easily accessible. For instance, consider installing a drawer in the pantry to place smaller items like notepads, pens, scissors and anything else that typically clutters your kitchen countertops.

Variety Is the Spice of Your Pantry

Installing a few shelves at the same depth and distance apart may look symmetrical, but it won’t offer the type of space you need in your kitchen pantry. The items you will store there will come in many sizes and shapes, making variety an essential element in your shelving. In addition to using shelves, your plan should include wire racks and pull-out drawers to help keep everything organized.

A custom built floor plan in Duxbury and the surrounding areas should include a pantry for your kitchen, especially if you love to cook. This important element will allow you to easily organize everything you need for cooking, keeping it close at hand. When you follow these tips, you will be able to create a functional space that will add value to your kitchen and make it the perfect place to make your favorite recipes.

If you’re looking for an MA home improvement contractor to help with your kitchen pantry design, contact us. We can help you create a custom built plan that takes all of your needs into consideration.

How Many Bathrooms Should You Consider When You Design Your Own Home?

August 13, 20150

Design your own home with the right number of bathrooms.

Consider the number of bathrooms when you design your own home.

Many older homes are known for having a single bathroom that had to be shared by everyone in the home. Today, this idea is practically unheard of in newer construction. When you design your own home in Dover, you need to consider how many bathrooms you want to build in your home. A home improvement contractor can help you make the right choices as you create your custom built floor plans in Norfolk County.

Cost of the Bathrooms

One of the biggest concerns many homeowners have is how much money the project will cost. Even when you design your own home, there are certain elements you may have to decide to eliminate for the sake of using that money elsewhere. However, keeping costs low doesn’t mean you have to get rid of a bathroom you’re planning. You may be able to cut back on your costs by making changes to your plan. For instance, perhaps a half bath will serve the purpose, allowing you to save space and money.

Long-Term Use

The number of bathrooms you add can be determined by how many of your bedrooms have long-term use. Your Dover home improvement contractor can help guide you through the process of making this decision. While it may seem like a good idea to create a separate bathroom to go along with your guest room, it isn’t often a cost-effective choice. Instead, consider placing a joint bathroom between the guest room and a family member’s room so it gets use at all times. There’s no point in spending a lot of money on a bathroom that may only be used once or twice a year.

Ask your home improvement contractor about the number of bathrooms.

Your home improvement contractor can help you choose the right number of bathrooms.

Specialty Use

Another primary deciding factor in choosing the right number of bathrooms for your home is the presence of specialty rooms. For instance, perhaps you have a bedroom or recreation room in the basement where someone may spend a lot of their time. In this situation, installing a bathroom in your basement will make access easier. If you are adding a pool house or a separate apartment above the garage, another bathroom may be needed in these areas as well. In any of these situations, consider whether you need a full bathroom or if a half or three-quarter bath will be suitable.

Many homeowners want more than one bathroom in their home, despite the old trend of one bathroom per home. However, it can be difficult for the typical homeowner to determine how many is appropriate. A Dover home improvement contractor can help you evaluate your needs and make the right choice. It’s always less expensive to add a bathroom during the initial building phases, rather than trying to add one in the future.

If you’re interested in designing your own home in Dover, contact us. We can help you decide how many bathrooms, as well as what other features you want for your new home.