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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.

When you’re performing your home maintenance during the spring and summer, one of the most common places that you look is the roof. You want to know if you have to do roof repair or contact a roofing company for a new installation. It’s only natural that this is where your priorities lie. After all, a roof should be inspected at least once or twice a year depending on climate and the materials used.

But while you’re checking the asphalt shingles on the roof of your home, you should also make sure that you check on top of your storage or garden sheds, too.

Many homeowners have storage sheds on the property where they keep their lawn care equipment or their tools. And these sheds, like your home, can suffer wear and tear throughout the seasons. They need to be properly taken care of in order to be in the best condition. If you want to keep your garden shed standing and sturdy for years to come, here are some things you should keep in mind.

Check The Roof
Naturally, there are several ways that you can perform maintenance on a garden shed. The first is to check the roof, making sure that the shingles (assuming that shingles were used in its construction) are in good shape. If your shed has a metal roof, you’ll want to check for any loose screws or components, corrosion, as well as dents from fallen limbs, etc. Regardless of your shed’s roof type, you want to be sure there is no tree debris built up on it. This can cause roof leaks by not allowing rain to escape the roof fast enough, backing up under the roof material laps. Check the inside ceiling for any signs of leaks, as water intrusion can lead to major damage if not stopped.

Inspect Walls And Floors
You’re also going to want to check the walls and the flooring. A crack in the wrong spot can lead to rodents getting inside, or an issue with structural integrity. Both of these situations are not the things you want to be dealing with when you’re preparing for the coming seasons.

Don’t Use Dirt
You should also avoid using dirt to fill in the spaces under or around the shed. This is especially important if you’re considering dirt as a filler in direct contact with the shed’s structure. A lot of individuals will use dirt to fill in “air space” that forms over time, and this can harm wooden structures by making them damp and allowing water inside when it has run-off against the siding.

This only really happens when there’s too much dirt piled up, but you can never be too careful.

You invested money in building your garden shed, don’t waste that investment by letting it fall into disrepair. When you’re performing your annual home maintenance and repairs, make sure you remember to check the shed too.

There’s no better feeling than knowing you invested in a quality home improvement project. Something like building a fence, installing a new garage, or even having a roof repair done can be a fantastic contributor to your home’s overall value. But these things can be expensive, and though something like metal roofing can last 50 years or more and save 25% on your annual energy bill, the initial investment isn’t worth it to some.

But that’s where gazebos can break the mold.

Gazebos, aside from being less expensive to build, can add an elegant feeling to a home or backyard. They also require less initial investment and can be used as part of a landscaping project, effectively increasing your lawn’s curb appeal.

But there are more benefits to a gazebo than just increasing your home’s value. To help you get a feeling for what those could be, we’ve outlined a few of the more common benefits for you to consider:

Design Variety
A gazebo is flexible in terms of its design options. You can just as easily place it in a hidden spot as you can smack in the middle of your front lawn. Not only that, but you can use it as protection from sun, rain, and all manner of other elements that might rain on your parade. In addition, you’ll have numerous options for walls that include full, partial, or even screened barriers.

Diverse Uses
Because it can be either open or have walls, your gazebo can serve a great many purposes. It can be used as a wedding venue, an intimate space for quiet conversations, an outdoor kitchen, or even as a shelter for your hot tub or grill. This means you can enjoy any activity without much concern for the weather.

Cost Effective
Compared to most other outdoor structures, you can purchase or build a gazebo yourself for a relatively low price. If you have knowledge of what materials you need and access to appropriate blueprints, it can be pretty easy to create. And the materials are not too expensive. If you’d rather purchase your newest lawn addition, there are numerous outdoor companies, including ours, that can help you find the perfect piece for your lawn.

If you have questions concerning gazebos or other outdoor structures, let this short guide be your answer. There’s no need to debate whether or not a gazebo is for you when there are so many options available. What are you waiting for?

Sheds are the eighth most popular outdoor structure, according to a 2017 Residential Landscape survey. Storage sheds are a great project for the do it yourself enthusiasts, and for those in need of storage buildings for their properties.

There is a lot that goes into building on of these, however, much like constructing decks or porches. Shed builders need to account for a lot of factors, especially if they want it to last for years to come.

The Right Spot
You need to pick the right spot when you’re building your shed, and that’s even more important than keeping it accessible. It needs to be in a place that allows it to hold up against weather and other conditions. It needs to be level and with good drainage.

And, depending on the materials, you need to make sure it gets good sunlight daily. This is more geared towards sheds made of wood, as moisture will cause it to rot and warp.

Top Quality Materials
You don’t want to skimp on the materials for your shed, that will cost you in the long run. For instance, choice of metal siding and roofing is important especially near the coastline where saltwater corrosion could be a factor over the long term. A metal siding shed can cost less than a wood or fiber cement siding shed to construct, but there may be additional advantages in having a hard surface exterior. These factors all depend on your location and intended use of the shed.

If you’re using a paintable wood or fiber cement siding product, you want to use all-weather paint, and to prime the wood before painting so that it has a good base to adhere to. The point is that spending a little more on your storage buildings can save a lot in terms of future costs.

Have a Solid Foundation
An unsteady ground can lead to the entire structure being unstable, no matter how sturdy your shed may be. You should use either adequate concrete blocks, wood post piers or even a solid concrete slab to lay a solid base when you start building, all depending on your site and ground conditions, as well as your intended use. A proper foundation means that you won’t have to worry about your shed shifting apart in the future.

Taking a bit of extra time and money to build your shed can give you the best possible results. You want to have the best materials and the best structural integrity. This is supposed to last a lifetime, after all.

If you have any questions about shed building, or what materials you should build your shed with, please contact us. We’re experts in the field.

According to the 2017 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey, storage sheds ranked number eight in the most popular outdoor structures list of 2017. The humble shed has been a staple of American backyards for centuries, and there are many reasons to have a storage shed in your yard: to protect equipment and tools from the elements, store gardening supplies, and free up more room in your home.

However, in recent years, homeowners have started demanding more from their backyard storage sheds, and these structures are evolving with the times. That means you can hire custom shed builders to raise a structure that exactly suits your needs.

And if you’re looking for a custom backyard shed, here are some unexpected features to consider:

1. 1. Raised Floors: Here in Panama City, Florida, homeowners always have to build with floodwaters in mind. For this reason, custom sheds built with raised floors are particularly popular. However, you don’t need to live in a coastal region to benefit from raised floors, which can help keep away pests as well as water.

1. 1. Insulation and Ventilation: Whether you want a “man cave,” “she-shed,” or think those are silly names altogether, many homeowners now look to garden sheds as places to spend time alone. If you enjoy gardening, crafting, woodworking, or just puttering around in the backyard, then an insulated and ventilated shed is a great investment. Remember: a shed doesn’t have to be as hot as your attic; it can be a comforting place to spend time.

1. 1. A Covered Carport: When you don’t want to build a full garage but still want a carport, then custom shed builders can help you add a covered carport to the side of your new storage shed. This is a great way to protect your car from the sun and rain without making a major addition to your home.

1. Windows: If you don’t plan on insulating or ventilating your new storage shed, then consider adding windows instead. Not only do these add aesthetic value to your new garden shed, but they allow a breeze to flow through while you’re hard at work.

There are many benefits to getting storage buildings for your home, and these are just a handful of the modern features for you to choose from. If you’re looking to add storage or recreation space to your home, then contact a local custom shed builder to see about getting one for your home today.

Being a first-time homeowner is an exciting time! You probably have so much on your plate right now but before you get started, you should at least keep in mind that you’ll need to consider every aspect of your property. Far too many homeowners only focus on interior design, landscaping, or the layout of their homes and ignore other important property features. Here are a few important aspects of your new land that you should consider taking care of to avoid costly repairs.

Your roof

Work with roofers to ensure a protected home and strong roof. Homeowners expect a great looking roof but seldom put the money and effort into actually obtaining one. The roof is perhaps the most important aspect of the entire home’s structure because it provides immediate protection from the outside world and gives you and your family shelter. Your roof should be inspected, at the very least, once or twice a year by professional roofers, but you should probably plan for a few more inspections to ensure safety.

Your garage

Homeowners often forget about garages and spend too much time worrying about other aspects of their property. You don’t want to have a poor quality garage, however, because that can result in some serious structural damage to both your home and your vehicles. If your garage’s roof, for instance, isn’t as secure as your actual home’s roof, it could potentially break down even more and eventually crash onto your vehicles or harm someone. Avoid these costly repairs and get your garage inspected every few months.

Your fences

Obviously the fences on your property aren’t as important as the roof directly above your head, but it should still be noted that they shouldn’t be completely forgotten. If only for the aesthetic purposes, fences can make or break a property in the visually appealing department. If you ever wish to sell your property, whether it’s in a few years or a few decades from now, even if your home is absolutely astonishing, if you have a broken, rickety fence, the value is going to significantly decrease.

If you want to learn more about what parts of your home need your attention, or to speak with experienced roofers, contact Tool Time Building and Roofing today!