Choosing the Right Contractor for Home Additions

A home addition is a major investment.  You should never choose your contractor lightly. The best contractors can provide you with a functional home addition design. This includes giving you more usable space, whether it’s a craft room or an extra bedroom. Unfortunately, the worst contractors can leave you needing to spend more to have their mistakes fixed. How can you pick the right contractor for home additions?

How Does a Home Addition Impact the Value of Your Home?

Particularly if you choose the wrong contractor, additions can lower the value of your property. Skilled contractors with proper training and licensing will carefully design the home addition.  Generally this includes the contractor to secure all permits, document the changes to the project, and make sure the end-quality meets your expectations.

Does the Contractor Know What Permits and Codes to Follow?

Even if you are adding a single room to your house instead of a full floor, your addition will likely require permits and will need to follow all local code requirements. Experienced contractors will make sure that there are no zoning issues.  Most renovation projects require local permits. Some of the most common are remodeling a kitchen or a home expansion such as a multi-story addition.

Can They Match Your NEW Addition to the Rest of Your OLD Home?

Outdoor Patio Backyard Remodel    living room with raised ceiling

Your new home addition should appear virtually identical to the rest of your home from the exterior and interior. Design elements, siding, paint, and rooflines should all be considered when designing each elevation. Make sure that you discuss how your new home addition will impact the curb appeal and appraised value ahead of time. To ensure a positive reflection in your home’s value, the addition should seamlessly flow into the rest of the home and pass all local code inspections.  As a result, if they do not follow codes and get permits approved, you may need to tear down the entire addition or even have trouble selling your home in the future.

The Details Make All the Difference

Construction involves a great amount of attention to detail. Look at projects in their portfolio for things like craftsmanship and design quality. If you choose the wrong contractor, you could end up with cracks in the interior walls or foundation, that require costly repairs only a few years in the future. When you are adding an addition to your home, you want to choose a contractor that treats your home as if it was their own.

What Are the Signs You Might Be Getting Scammed?

 

Do They Have the Right Credentials?

Many contractors are honest businesses that care about helping as many homeowners as possible. Unfortunately, some of them are unqualified or potentially out for personal gain. It’s important to be vigilant for some of the signs that you might be getting scammed, which include:

• No licensing or insurance is available for you to review
• Very low bids compared to other reputable contractors
• Requiring a large deposit (over 30% or above the maximum amount allowed by state law) before starting work
• Not a permanent address or place or business
• Is there a written contract available?
• Lack of references or suspicious references like family members
• Requiring cash payment up front

Buy from a local business that has experience and a solid reputation from previous customer reviews.

Make sure you choose a reputable contractor or firm, you should do thorough research before officially signing the contract. Look at their past reviews to see what other customers have experienced. Check to see if they have active licenses from state and local governments. Ask the contractor if they have any additional certifications, like ones offered by National Association of Homebuilders or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). While additional certifications are not a must, they can show that the contractor takes their work seriously.

 

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