How to Prepare for a Consultation with an MA Home Improvement Contractor

November 5, 20150

Consider custom built home plans for your project.

Work with your contractor on custom built home plans.

Before you start working with Newton contractors for home additions, it’s critical to schedule consultation. At this meeting, you will be able to go over your custom built home plans and ask all the questions you need to help you choose the right company for the job. Preparing ahead of time will help you find the right MA home improvement contractor.

Set Your Budget

Before you even get started on your custom built home plans for Newton and the surrounding towns, it’s important to know how much you can spend. One of the fastest ways to overspend on this type of project is to begin working with contractors before you have a budget in mind. A good home improvement contractor will work hard to stay within your budget.

Determine Your Funding Plans

Most people don’t have the money necessary to pay for home remodeling projects upfront. While setting a budget is an important step in the process, so is determining how you will get the funds you require. Securing this financing ahead of time will help you set your budget and ensure you can move forward with the project once you find the right contractor for the job.

Before hiring, talk to an MA home improvement contractor.

Talk to an MA home improvement contractor before hiring.

Research Your Options

Some people wait until they’re already working with an MA home improvement contractor before they start thinking about what they really want. However, this can make it difficult to match up with the right contractor. Newton contractors for home additions need to know what you have in mind, even if you don’t have a clear picture. This makes knowing what you want before you even sit down with contractors a critical step.

Gather a List of Questions

When you have a consultation with a contractor, it’s your time to ask questions to help you make the right decision. Before you sit down, it’s important to create a list of questions so you don’t forget any of them. For instance, you need to know who will handle the permits, if they allow changes, if they require approval when changes will cost more, plus a number of other questions. Write down the answers you receive, especially if you will be meeting with more than one contractor before making a final decision.

Custom built home plans for Newton and the surrounding towns require working with an experienced contractor. However, it can often be difficult to find the right contractors for home additions without having a consultation first. Before you sit down with any MA home improvement contractor, it’s important to prepare yourself so you don’t miss any of the details required to ensure you pick the right company for the job you have planned.

If you’re looking for an MA home improvement contractor for your next project, contact us. We are eager to meet with you to go over your plans and give you an estimate on the work.

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.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Beginning a 2nd Floor Addition

May 28, 20150

A second floor addition needs the right support.

Make sure your home can support a second floor addition.

A second floor addition in Newton can double your living space and give you room to grow without resulting in lost yard space. This makes it an attractive option for many homeowners. However, before you move forward with your home addition floor plans, there are a few elements you need to understand to ensure the project goes as smoothly as possible.

Structural Requirements

Not every home can accommodate a second story addition. When working on custom built home plans for Newton and the surrounding towns, your contractor will evaluate the structure of your home to determine whether a second floor is an option. If the structure can’t hold up to a second story, they may be able to make changes that will allow for the project to continue. They can also help with any required permits to complete the project.

Your home addition floor plans will address the size of the project.

Consider the size of your home addition floor plans.

A Seamless Approach

When completing a second floor addition in Newton, the end result can be awkward if your contractor doesn’t take a seamless approach to the project from the start. In addition to making sure the exterior materials match up with the first floor, it’s also important to make sure the interior design is in alignment as well. While there are only certain areas in which the stairs can be built, you don’t want to place them in an unusual position. Your contractor can help you create a plan that will make your second floor look like it was built with the first.

Consider the Size

Not all homes need a full second story addition. When working on your custom built home plans, consider your exact needs. Perhaps you only want to add an extra bedroom and a half-bath to go with it. These projects often cost less and can create just what you need, helping you keep your budget down. You can also cut back on costs by saving your existing roof and building under it. Skilled contractors can remove your roof, build the second floor and replace it with no damage.

Custom built home plans should factor the mechanical units.

Consider the mechanical factor of custom built home plans.

The Mechanical Factor

Your existing heating and cooling system were purchased and installed to fulfill the needs of the space available in your home at the time. When you’re adding an entire second story, these units will most likely need to be replaced to accommodate the change in size. Talk to your contractors about how much space you are adding so you can determine the right size for your next heating and cooling system.

Home addition floor plans for adding a second story can be more complex than other types of home addition plans. For this reason, you need experienced contractors who are familiar with this type of custom built home plans in Newton and the surrounding towns. They can help you make the right decisions so you can get the beautiful home you’ve always wanted and the additional space you need.

If you’re interested in a second floor addition for your Newton home, contact us. Our Massachusetts contractors can provide the guidance you need to tackle this project.

Tag: custom built home plans for newton and the surrounding towns