Month: October 2017

According to the 2017 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, the three most popular outdoor structures for this year are expected to be: decks, fencing, and pergolas. However, porch additions and garages are also expected to be in demand. Space is a commodity that many homeowners want, which is why a home addition is a great way to get this space without spending money on a new home.

Not only that, but adding extra room or outdoor entertainment space to your home can increase the value of your property. When making a home improvement, it is important to think about how it will impact your home’s value as well as your quality of life. Porch additions, for example, make a great sun room for relaxation and a location to store your belongings. There are other benefits to home additions as well.

Add New Life To Your Space
If you’ve lived in your home for at least a decade, chances are it might feel like it needs an update. Both interior remodeling or a home addition can add new life to your living space. That could mean increasing the storage space, adding energy efficient features, or just giving the deck an expansion. Whatever route that you choose, you’ll feel like your home is a little bit newer and more exciting than it was before. If your family has been growing over the past few years, then it’s time that your house did, too.

Save Money Compared To Moving
As stated at the start, moving is expensive. A home addition can be a less costly and less stressful way of “up-scaling” than moving to a new home. It’s a convenient solution that will allow you to get the space you need in a much cheaper way. A bigger garage for more vehicles and work space is always going to be cheaper than moving into a new home that already has a workshop. 

Improve Aesthetic Appeal
You, and homeowners like you, want your home to look good. Adding porch additions to a home can increase its overall aesthetic appeal, and it will give it a fuller and more expansive look. Exterior renovation projects tend to be much less invasive than interior renovations, but if you like to spend a lot of time outside, then its impact on your quality of life can be equally positive.

If you’re considering projects to improve the value of your home while also giving new life to it, consider an addition. Adding a structure like a porch or a deck can be a great investment that won’t completely drain your bank account. And if you’re looking for easy to install screened in porches here in Panama City, Florida, give us a shout to discuss the design and building plans today.

Home additions can transform the look and feel of your home. They also represent one of the most expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can engage in. This is why you should always take the time to plan this type of renovation well, making sure to cover every detail of the project. However, there are common home addition mistakes that can derail a project and end up inflating the budget.

That’s why you need to be careful to avoid the following common home improvement missteps:

Hiring The Wrong Contractor
When you’re working with large-scale home improvement projects, you want to make sure you hire the right contractors for the job. Hiring the wrong team could mean the difference between a quality job and a total disaster. You should meet with several recommended general contractors. Compare their presentations, communication skills, and their prices before signing any contracts, and always check their online profile to find past reviews. In addition, make sure that they have had past experience with the home additions that interest you, like garages, decks, porch additions, or similar projects.

Not Keeping The Big Picture In Mind
According to HomeAdvisor’s 2017 True Cost Survey, spending on home improvement projects has increased by 60% in the last year as housing supply has dwindled. No matter the reason for your project, you need to make sure that you have a plan that keeps the budget in mind at all times. Talk to an architect or designer about your targeted budget before starting to design anything. This eliminates misunderstandings that could lead to a budgeting disaster.

If you’re planning smaller scale projects, then you can often work with companies that provide custom garages, porches, and storage buildings. These structures are easy to install onto your property but don’t require a massive financial investment.

Getting Building Permits Too Early or Too Late
You should wait to apply for building permits until the final design is in place. The permit application occurs once all the designing aspects have been completed and a general contractor has been hired. The reasoning behind this is that changes to the design could lead to you having to change the building permit, which costs more money. In addition to this, you might have to pay more for the contractor to work with the new design. Avoid having to pay more, and just wait for the design to be completed. Likewise, remember that applying for the necessary permits too late can cause unnecessary delays and expenses.

Whether it be garages, decks, porches, or other home improvement projects, you should avoid the above mistakes. Walking into the home improvement process unprepared will cost you more money in the long run, and you don’t need the added expense.