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Finding A Good Builder

By Mandy Chagger

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 20Feb2009 Word count: 825 Viewed: 259 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Many homeowners are looking for creative ways to enhance their living space. It is no secret that families tend to outgrow their homes. Even though homes are seen as rigid investments, families prefer to move to a new house that will accommodate them better, rather than consider home conversions or renovations.

However, today?s uncertain housing sector makes it difficult to find a home that you like for the right price. Home conversion is one smart way to improve your living space without uprooting your family.

Difference Of Home Conversions And Home Extensions

There are many standards in home construction and reconstruction that homeowners do not fully understand. Home conversions and extensions are more cost effective for families who have specific needs. Home conversion is a term used by builders to better use vacant rooms like an attic or a basement. By converting specific rooms, you can add value to your home without adding floor space.

Home extensions aim to increase the indoor floor space by adding an extra room or an extra floor. These projects are more intrusive than home conversions and are more costly to build. At the same time, home extensions are subject to building codes and restrictions imposed by neighbourhoods. Home extensions effectively increase the footprint of the house; whereas, home conversions optimise the space available to the current home. Home conversion is the cheaper and more efficient building project out of the two.

Considering Home Conversions Projects

This is not to say that home conversions are infinitely better than home extensions. It all boils down to specific needs, what you can afford, and what seems timely to do. Home conversion is a considerable investment that homeowners should think twice. As a homeowner, you have to decide what the projects will accomplish in your home. Do you need a new room for your maturing son? Perhaps you decided to start a home business and you need an office in the attic. How about finally having the media room that you always wanted? Whatever the push factors are, home conversion should be in line with your budget, and you should have the right financing to complete the job.

One should consider the extent of the changes needed to complete the home conversion. Simple jobs only need a competent interior designer and a good paint job, but major home conversions may require you to overhaul the structure of the room. For example, effective media centres need soundproof walls that a simple paint job won?t accomplish. You might need to increase the height of the ceiling and modify the roofline. If you plan to convert your attic, you might need to add extra support to the flooring to accommodate the extra weight since attic flooring is only necessary to hold the ceiling. In these examples, we notice the importance of considering every angle before committing to a project.

Dealing With Planning Permits For Home Conversions

If the magnitude of change required in home conversion extends to the exterior of the home, you will need to obtain a project permit from public agencies or community associations. The best way to get through this is to find a local contractor, since they have ample experience in dealing with planning permits. When a complication arises, your trusty contractor can deal with it on his own or advise you if needed. You can also consult your architect to ensure that his proposed plans do not violate building and planning policies. Planning permits represent a considerable cost in the overall project. Thus, you should know better than to ignore these regulations.

Finding A Good Builder

The biggest key for a successful home conversion project is hiring the right people for the job. Since you have a set budget for this project, a sloppily done project will run over cost. In addition, any hiccup by your contractor is not only a source of financial deficit, but will also result in endless delays. The best way to select a contractor is through referrals. Ask your friends and family if they know someone who has worked for them. This way, you are getting sincere advice and positive feedbacks from referrers. It is highly recommended that you source a contractor locally because they have the experience to run through the permits and other hoops.

Before you move forward with negotiations, do your own research on cost estimations and supplies, so you can better understand how the project will be done. With research, you can better monitor the running cost of the project. A hands-on approach is important in monitoring a home conversion project. Finally, do not sacrifice quality over cost. The aim of home conversions is to increase the value of your home. If you add low-grade materials, your house will depreciate faster than you first expect. Settle for middle class materials if you do not have the budget, or save the money and reschedule the project until you have enough funds.

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