Room additions can add square footage and value to your existing home, without the additional expenses incurred in the purchase of a new home. This is especially attractive to growing families.
Most room additions consist of extending the size of your home by adding the new room to an exterior wall. Popular room additions are new master bedroom suites, but dens, living rooms, dining rooms, and studies or studios can easily be included, depending on the needs of the family or individual. A growing trend in today's society is to add comfortable, private spaces for aging parents, while sharing the traditional family areas.
Other popular room additions include increasing floor space by adding a second story room to your existing home, sometimes called a "pop-top." This can increase the value, functionality, and comfort of your home, without robbing you of lawn or garden footage.
And yet more ideas for room additions are garages, carports, porches, decks, or sunrooms. In all instances, the value and equity of your home is increased along with its usability.
There are home improvement contractors who specialize in room additions, but many general home remodeling contractors and remodeling contractors perform this same service. A well-planned and executed room addition can make a dramatic difference, both in the livability of your home, and in its value.
As always, state and local laws determine the requirements for most room addition projects. If a license is required, be sure your room additions contractor's license is valid and current (check with your state licensing board or local building department). Some states do not require a license. If your state does not require a license, examine the contractor's time in business, membership in trade associations, references, and continuing education as alternatives to a license.
Investigate what permits are required for a project that involves room additions. Make certain that your room addition professional pulls any and all that are necessary. Ask your contractor for client references. This is your best way to judge a contractor's experience and professionalism. Don't simply read the references your room addition contractor gives you. Take time to contact several previous clients.
It is extremely important that a Home Improvement contractor be properly insured to protect you from potential legal problems. A room addition contractor should have the following types of coverage: Workman's Compensation Insurance - protects you in case a worker is injured on your property. General Liability Insurance - covers you in case your contractor damages your property. Automobile Insurance - protects you in case your contractor's vehicle damages another vehicle on your property