Dream Builders Partners Construction is here to help.
Making major home improvements can be a daunting commitment, and unless you are highly skilled in electrical
wiring, plumbing and construction, you should turn to professionals to get the job done right. But finding the
appropriate professionals to help you complete the job can be a major job in itself.
If you are considering a major home improvement project, you need to determine what exactly you want done. If your
job requires a specific kind of work, like installing a hot tub or building a deck, you'll probably need a contractor who
specializes in the area, like a plumber or carpenter. But if you're planning a more extensive project, such as
remodeling your kitchen or building a second-story addition, a general contractor may be a better choice.
What Do General Contractors Do?
General contractors manage all aspects of your project, including hiring and supervising subcontractors, getting
building permits, ordering supplies and scheduling inspections. They oversee all the subcontractors, such as
plumbers, carpenters, or painters, to ensure that the job is done to your satisfaction.
General contractors also work with architects and designers to make sure a project is completed to your
specifications. They will also act as your main contact throughout the project.
Why Hire a General Contractor?
Hiring a general contractor will also save you money in the long run. Professionals may have access to stock products
that will give your job the customized look you desire. In addition, if the job is done right the first time, less time and
money will be devoted to fixing problems that arise in the future.
Of course, you could try hiring the necessary plumbers, carpenters or painters yourself, but managing a project of
this proportion is a full-time job, and chances are you don't have the time or the experience to do it all by yourself.
Remember, licensed general contractors have extensive training and experience to handle managing projects. Good
contractors also have contacts with professionals who can do specialized work properly.
Some home improvement jobs that a general contractor would handle best:
Home addition estimates are tricky business. Truth be told, there are too many variables involved in a major
remodeling project or room addition for any contractor to provide a specific square foot price ahead of time, and all
free estimates should be considered just that: estimates. Not only must your contractor consider structural aspects,
such as load-bearing walls, location of plumbing and wiring, and possible changes to the roof line, but estimating
remodeling costs also depends on what kind of materials you want: custom or pre-manufactured cabinets? Carpet,
hardwood, or laminate floors? A whirlpool tub or an economy model? Contractors may be able to give you a ballpark
bid based on what you think you want, but no one can give you a firm bid without working from a specific set of plans
and specifications.
Talk to the Pros for Quality Home Addition Estimates
If you decide that you'd like something more precise than a general estimate, consider hiring a building designer,
residential designer, or architect who specializes in residential remodels-additions to draw up plans for you. These
specialists are trained to discuss your priorities and budget and to develop a detailed plan for your project that
includes a detailed list of specifications and the materials you want (by brand name and model number if possible).
They will also contact other professionals, such as structural engineers and subcontractors, as needed, to draw up
plans that will meet building codes, and to figure out ahead of time which building permits are going to be necessary
to obtain.
With Home Addition Estimates, Nothing Is Set in Stone
Even if you pay for design specifications up front, prepare to be flexible when it comes to the final cost of your
addition. Estimating remodeling costs can never account for the unexpected, and the unexpected is the rule, not the
exception, when it comes to major addition or remodeling projects. That being the case, it's also a good idea to get at
least three bids on your project from different contractors based on the plans you have drawn up. Talking to more
than one contractor allows you to compare costs and services, and to weed out home addition estimates that are far
higher, or lower, than the competition.
Don't Take Their Word for It When Estimating Remodeling Costs
Once you've narrowed it down to a few contractors that you feel you can trust, and who claim they can keep your
home addition project in line with your home addition estimates, it's time to do a little extra homework. Ask for
references and always check them! The only true way to evaluate a contractor's work, trustworthiness, and ability to
complete the job in a timely manner, is to talk with customers who have worked with them in the past. If your
contractor shies away from providing you with current references, or if the references are hesitant to rubber stamp
the contractor's work, move on to another professional. Only someone who has proven themselves in the past is
worth trusting with a project as big as a large scale home addition or remodel.
Adding on a kitchen, bathroom, or study can be a simple and inexpensive way to improve your home and your way of
life. Imagine if you and your loved one didn't have to use the bathroom in shifts. If the kids each had their own rooms,
they would have nothing to argue about.
The possibilities for home additions are limited only by your imagination, and of course the bank that's holding the
note. But let's not get bogged down with the legalities and discuss some of the first steps to adding living space to
your home:
1. Determine the location of your property lines
First, locate your property lines and develop a plot plan which would include your home, landscaping and the location
of the utilities. This is important information because local codes have restrictions with regard to how close you can
build to your neighbor.
2. Develop a design that complements your current floor plan
Next, look at the structure and the floor plan of your home. With the help of a residential designer or architect,
develop a plan to provide the most attractive, useful and economical addition to your home.
3. Detail your plans
The last step before work begins is to have detailed descriptions of the materials and the scope of the work to be
done. "How much detail should I have?" you ask. The short answer is "More, it is not possible to have too much."
Home Addition Estimates
Homeowners often ask how the bids can vary so much in price when everybody is looking at the same plans. I tell
them it's all in the details. Putting them in writing is essential to eliminate confusion about the products to be used and
the work to be done, so builders can give accurate bids and buyers can compare them easily.
One bid, for instance, may include door hardware at $9 per set. That is a real low price, and if all you are concerned
about is the lowest bid, this may be what you are looking for. However, if you want the hardware to match what you
have in the rest of the house, or you don't want it to fall apart in your hand within the year, you need to see the
specific type (brand name, style numbers, etc.) of hardware detailed in your materials list. That way you can see
exactly where the bids really differ in order to make more educated choices.
The written scope of work is equally important when considering your construction project. This should outline, again
in detail, who is responsible for each portion of the job. For example, will the contractor pay for the building permit or
will you? Do you want the workers using your bathroom or would you rather they use an on-site toilet? Do you want
lumber delivered on your brand new sod lawn or on the street? These kinds of details defined in writing at the time of
bidding will eliminate most of the problems that result in a frustrating and stress-inducing job.
The key word in the last sentence is most. Understanding that there will be strange people ripping and tearing up the
home you dearly love is enough to take the blood pressure up a notch. But you've got to keep the final outcome in
focus.
Seriously, all these precautions do take time to research and put in writing, but I guarantee they
will save you time and grief in the long run.
The high demand for combining comfortable living, increasing natural light, and bringing together indoor and outdoor
features of a home, has led to the rise in popularity of sun room additions. Depending on your budget, there are
several directions to go when adding a sun room. Simple, pre-designed sun rooms are economical and an excellent
option for homeowners with a low overhead. These additions do have a reputation for being hot and uncomfortable in
the summer months, however. To avoid this problem, and to get the most out of your new sun room, think about
talking to a contractor about designing a custom sun room addition for your home instead.
Built to Fit
A custom sun room addition is built specifically with your home in mind. Prefab sun rooms sometimes clash with your
home's overall design, and can look awkward and out of place from the curb. A custom job, on the other hand, is built
to blend seamlessly into your home's overall ambiance. From materials and architectural design right on down to
color and finish, a custom sun room addition won't just look good, it will look like it's been there all along.
Top Grade Materials
Besides blending in with your pre-existing architecture, custom sun room additions also have the advantage of using
top grade materials so you can get the most out of this significant investment. High quality wood and vinyl make for
beautiful and stunning looks inside and out, while additions such as high efficiency glass and separate heating and
cooling systems ensure that your sun room will be an area you can enjoy year round.
Cutting Edge Design
Besides using the best materials, your custom sun room addition will also incorporate the most up to date design
features. Careful placement of your sun room is a good place to start, as taking into account the location of the sun
year round plays a large role in building an addition that you can enjoy even on the warmest days. Beyond that,
incorporating design features like ceiling roof vents that automatically open when the room gets too hot can make
maintaining a comfortable temperature in your custom sun room a hands off endeavor.
Talk to an Expert
Of course, if you're building a custom sun room for your home, it's best to hire a contractor who is an expert in
constructing these wonderful additions to do the work for you. There's just too much that goes into making these
additions attractive and functional year round to hire the job out to a regular Joe. Search out a custom sun room
addition builder and talk to them about what you need to do to get your new sun room project off the ground.
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California dream builders partners construction
1493 Highland Blvd
Hayward, CA 94542
Ph: 510 728 1834
alt: 650 771 0221
hbethran@dbpconstruction.com
1493 Highland Blvd
Hayward, CA 94542
Ph: 510 728 1834
alt: 650 771 0221
hbethran@dbpconstruction.com
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