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LIFE: HOMES
Many factors should be considered when adding a new room to a home
One possibility for a room addition is adding a home office.
Winter-weary folks with cabin fever are always encouraged when the month of March rolls around. This is because March often translates into action time for spring projects dreamed up on cold nights. Many of those dreams will call for renovation, repair and additions to the old home place. One major project that has more than one household looking at their financial resources is a room addition. There's nothing like a severe winter to bring home the realization that more space is needed for the family.
Prior to adding on a room or rooms, a homeowner should stand back and take stock of the style of their home and neighborhood. Will the type of room addition planned fit the house? Will it keep a house in the same market as the neighboring structures? Most likely, a person has figured out what will meet their own needs but maybe not considered if will it meet the needs of the next owner when time comes for resale. For some sage advice, a homeowner might want to consult a realtor before soaking a load of money into this type of project.
Each home has its own floor plan and architectural style. Adding an ill-conceived two-story addition to a low-lying ranch house could be a mistake that an experienced designer, contractor, builder or architect might be able to help a homeowner avoid. Planning is everything, and having an expert help with this part of a vision might cost a bit more but could enhance the look of an addition tremendously.
Anytime construction happens, there are problems. For example, when adding a room to an existing house, be sure to consider the match-up of the inside and outside materials.
"The goal in adding an addition is to make it seamless with the older part of the house," said builder Bob Bowen. "You want to make it look as if it has always been there inside and out. From the hardwood flooring to millwork, you want it to match. "
Sometimes, it is impossible to match brick bought in 1924 to what is available in 2010, but there might be a compatible material available. This takes some time and planning to find, but the experts can usually point a person in the right direction.
"The older homes usually require a higher quality material to make the match-up work, but the results are very rewarding," Bowen said.
Before visiting an expert, homeowners should make notes of what they want. Cut pictures out of magazines to give your advisor a thought as to what the vision might be for this room. Make a list of the needs the room must meet. Finally, let the builder know how much money you have to spend on your project so they can address your needs within your limitations.
Resources abound on this topic. For potential costs of renovations and additions, check out www.costhelper.com/cost/home-garden/add-room.html. It also has some fairly open comments by those who have consulted the site both for and against their projected prices. HGTV also offers some interesting information as does the This Old House Web site.
Finally, it is important once the decision is made to build and the plan is in place to get three estimates from qualified contractors after you have checked their references. March is in the wind, so as you go forth to put your plan into practice, consider seeking advice prior to taking the leap.
