What Questions To Ask Before Starting Home Extensions Project?

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Home additions and extensions are a significant project, and homeowners must have a completely clear view of what is going to come in home extension projects. The services of a reputed construction company are mandatory, followed by the answers to all the questions that homeowners have. There can be questions related to several things associated with the home extensions project, and they must have the answers. These answers come from the chosen home additions company; and some are discussed here.

CAN YOU PROVIDE COMPLETE HOME EXTENSIONS SERVICES?

The chosen home additions company should offer the entire range of home extension services, including loft conversion as well. They should come with the experience and expertise to provide services from initial free consultation and survey to completion of home extensions/home additions projects. These services should also include administration using the most advanced technologies to meet customers’ specific requirements. They should also offer structural calculations, application of building regulations and law development certificates, etc.

DO YOU REQUIRE ANY DEPOSIT BEFORE THE PROJECT?

The ideal answer is that the company should not seek any deposit before beginning the project. In lieu, they will take a financial commitment from the customer that he will pay for the administration upon signing the contract. This will include the cost of drawing and structural calculations and the fees paid to local authorities to obtain necessary permissions and certificates.

DO YOU SEEK SERVICES FROM SUB-CONTRACTORS?

Here also, the best answer is ‘no’, that subcontractors are not used for home extensions and additions. But yes, hiring subcontractors for scaffolding, electrical fittings, AC and heating engineering, and so on is mandatory. Otherwise, they should not use any subcontractors for registered groundwork or bricklaying.

WHAT OFFER DO YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF WARRANTY?

The company should back its work with a minimum of 10 years of structural warranty and ensure long-lasting and cost-effective results. As far as pre-planning and construction is concerned, they should take care of the following – 

• Sourcing Building Materials

• Equipment Hire

• Qualified And Experienced Skilled Trade Workers

• Council Approval And Inspections

• Building Permits And Job Certification

• Site Surveying

• Certificate Of Occupancy

HOW MUCH DIRT OR DUST WILL BE GENERATED?

Some disruption and disturbance is inevitable, and so are the dirt and dust. The home renovation company is responsible for minimizing it as much as possible. They should ensure that invasive works like ‘breaking through’ and ‘installing beams’ are carried out late in the project. Apart from this, they should also apply all reasonable measures to minimise dust generation and use a dust sheet, tapes, polythene, etc., to cover up dirt and dust. Some home renovation companies also use a vacuum cleaner to ensure that the property is left as clean as possible every day.

The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Second Story Additions

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Adding square footage to a property is every homeowner's dream, and this dream is very easy to fulfil now with second storey additions and extensions. These constructions ensure that the valuable backyard, playing lawn or garden space is not consumed, and still, there are financial and functional benefits for a family. Choosing the right kind of second storey house additions is a crucial decision, and in this blog post here, we go through the top types along with their pros and cons. 

UNDERSTAND WHY ADDING A SECOND STORY IS A PRACTICAL DECISION

The first benefit of this version of house additions is that you get to stay at the location where you have lived for years. There are close friends and families, and you love your home and neighbourhood. In this situation, there could be no better way than second storey additions that will ensure that the residential space of your property is enhanced along with its resale value and you don't face the stress of relocating to a new address.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE FROM DIFFERENT SECOND STOREY ADDITIONS

The house additions cost is significantly higher, and the right decisions must be made during construction. Different types of second storey additions are there, and the one you use will depend on certain factors like your preferences, budget, local building regulations, your property's structure and so on.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SECOND STOREY ADDITIONS?

A FULL SECOND STOREY ADDITION

This is one of the most versatile house additions, and in this project, the existing roof is removed entirely, and the whole new upper level is designed or built from scratch. It is an ideal solution if you are making it onto a second storey, like a house or a property, where the new storey design can be significantly different.

REPLACING THE ROOF

This idea of second story additions is the best choice when you want to add an extra storey based on the dimensions and design of the existing property. In this process, the house additions experts will remove the existing roof temporarily and add a second level, and the roof will be carefully placed back afterwards into its original condition.

EXPANSION

Adding a second story means building a property to enhance the space without expanding sideways. In this construction, another room will be added over the flat roof garage and for this, an experienced house additions team will be required.

What Steps to Take For Home Additions After Choosing A Company?

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With the passing of time, every homeowner starts feeling the necessity for more space inside the property. This happens for several reasons like increasing family, kids growing in age and so on. The area gets cramped, and the solution comes in the form of home additions and extensions offered by a home additions company. The process is intricate after you have selected a company for extensions and additions. This company has to take several steps while ensuring that zoning regulations and local council rules are not breached.

WHAT STAGES ARE INVOLVED IN PLANNING HOME ADDITIONS?

DEFINING THE GOALS

The first step is planning a home addition while defining the goals you want to achieve. This applies to all home additions, including first-floor extensions, 2nd storey extensions, ground-floor extensions, home renovations, etc. It is essential to ensure that you are financially capable of affording the idea seen on the Internet or in a home improvement magazine.

ASK MORE AND MORE QUESTIONS

Your responsibility doesn't end with hiring a home additions company for 2nd storey extensions in Sydney. You have to play a proactive role and ask as many questions as possible to clear all your confusion. You must use your right to get answers to all your questions regarding your 2nd storey extensions or any other addition.

COMMON QUESTIONS TO ASK

What is the cost of the addition?

Is your investment going to be worthy?

How much space will you get after extensions are built?

How will the construction affect your home's layout?

Is home addition the only option?

UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOME ADDITIONS

A crucial stage of the process is understanding different home additions that you can go with your property. This can include building an additional floor like 2nd story extensions or getting your basement finished. You can also turn your porch into a Sunroom or get your attic finished into a habitable space. Adding an extension on your home's side, front, or back is another option, followed by getting cantilever additions done by a home additions company.

REVIEW LOCAL ZONING RULES

The professionals from the chosen company should accompany you to the local zoning department to understand all the rules and permits needed for extensions and additions. This is an integral part as the unpermitted work will cause several problems like penalties or uncountable visits to the local zoning office or the local court. 

Genius Home Extensions Ideas to Extend Space in Your Home

 The first thought that rushes into the mind of homeowners is of building or buying a new house when they start feeling the shortage of space in their existing properties. But another option is to save hundreds and thousands of dollars while improving the quality of life significantly. This option is potent enough to add more space and value to your current property and ensure that you stay in the area that you are living in now. 

Home extensions Sydney is the right approach that ensures flexibility, comfort, and value. However, to make all these claims a reality, you must keep your approach positive and consider this option. You should not panic at all and immediately decide about getting a new home in some other locality.

With the help of a high-quality home additions builder, you will get multiple ideas on how to extend your home. Let us explore some amazing ones in this write-up.

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ADDING ANOTHER FLOOR

Most properties in Sydney had large block sizes in the past, and there was no reason to build upwards. But now, the situation has changed completely, and the average block size is somewhere around 383 square metres. This means that adding another floor is a great idea and a perfect way to add more space to your current property. As a part of the home extensions Sydney project, you can move all your bedrooms above, and the ground floor can be dedicated to an extended kitchen, a lounge, a dining area and a living area.

GARAGE CONVERSION

Most properties have a garage, but it remains unused all the time. Home additions builders have solutions for this, and with quick and easy conversion; this can become a whole extra room for your property. It can be used as a luxurious main bedroom or just a place for kids to enjoy home cinema.

EXTENDING ABOVE THE GARAGE

If you use your garage to park your vehicle, you need not worry, as home additions builders also have a solution to this. You can consider extending above the garage, and it can be an ideal solution if you already have two storeys. A new room or a couple of rooms can be built above your garage and linked with the rest of the floor. They can also work well as standalone rooms that can be used as guest rooms, a home office, gym or a studio space for content creators.

SIDE EXTENSION

The unused exterior side part of your house can also be used in house extensions Sydney projects by the home additions builders. While staying in compliance with the building codes, you can extend several rooms by the side of your home and make a massive difference while ensuring that you don't have to invest in purchasing a new property for another five decades.

Reasons Why Home Additions Are Better and Why Relocation Is Risky

Someone who has decided to relocate from the existing property and location to a better one is always confused about one thing. He has to decide whether to go for additions, or relocation is the only solution. Both options have their share of advantages and disadvantages, but overall, first floor additions are always better than your location. In this write-up, we have explored the drawbacks of moving, and then we will also go through the top reasons why home additions should be preferred over moving.

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NOTABLE DRAWBACKS OF MOVING

ADAPTING TAKES TIME 

The family will take a lot of time to adapt to a new environment. The family owner will have to make adjustments regarding how to travel to their job, and he will also have to determine school transportation or search for new schools.

UNFAMILIAR NEIGHBOURS

Relocation comes with the fact that you will move to an entirely new location where no one would know you, and you will know no one. Your neighbours will be unfamiliar with you and vice versa, and again you will have to invest a lot of time in making a solid bond with your neighbours.

RELOCATION IS ALWAYS RISKY

Yes, relocation is exciting compared to getting home additions done, but it is also risky. The family owner has to plan finances and pay attention towards every smallest detail of the location process. There are also chances of getting scammed if the contract is not read carefully. Also, expenses related to packing and moving furniture and then unpacking and placing them are significant.

REASONS WHY HOME ADDITIONS SYDNEY IS A BETTER OPTION

THERE IS NO RESEARCH WORK INVOLVED

To get first floor additions done, a family owner will simply need the services of a construction contractor and leave the project on the team. They will assess the situation, research a bit and then deliver a home addition that makes your property more spacious, grander and more valuable.

HOME ADDITIONS ARE ECONOMICAL

As compared to relocation, getting home additions done will cut your research time and expenses in half. A building permit would be required, and your construction contractor will be responsible for arranging this permit. He will also hire an architect or an interior designer for design inspirations, and as a result, you will get a property that has more space to accommodate your family members and is better in terms of resale value.