Tips for Planning an Addition to Your Home
It’s exciting to think about having an addition
to your home. At last there will be room to entertain, or the
children can have a bedroom each and stop squabbling. Or maybe you
are going to build another bathroom.
Your home is the single biggest investment that you are likely to
make and an addition will add value to it. But it’s important to
plan carefully for your addition. You need to sit down and cost it
out. To do this you will need quotes from a builder, but don’t
forget the plumber, plasterer and electrician, if these are needed.
Don’t get quotes from just one person or firm. It’s wise to try at
least three because it may save you lots of money. But don’t
necessarily go for cheap. Make sure you get someone reliable and
honest who is a good tradesman. When you are at the costing stage,
decide what work, if any, you will be able to do yourself. Be
realistic and remember what other things you may have to accomplish
in that time frame.
If you use a General Contractor, he will handle all the paperwork
like permits as well as organize for other tradesmen that are
needed. If you hate handling these sorts of details, he is the one
for you. Make sure he is not operating outside the law, though. Two
things that should put you on guard are if a builder solicits work
door to door or if he ‘just happens’ to have materials left over
from the last job. Other things that can alert you to possible fraud
are: he may want to be paid in cash only; he prefers you to see to
the permits; asks for payment upfront or is not listed in the phone
book as a business.
Having chosen your builder or tradesman, always be sure you get a
written contract that states clearly what you want done, what the
time-frame should be, the type of materials used and the amount and
method of payment. To get this you need to make it clear exactly
what you want done. If there is something in the contract that you
don’t expect or like, query it; don’t sign it.
If you need to get a loan to pay for your addition, make sure that
is all done before you sign any contract with the builder. The other
way around this is to have a clause added that the work is only to
be done once the loan is approved. Shop around for financing to get
the best interest rates and terms.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
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