From Concept to Construction ™

Starting a DIY Furniture Making Project: What You Need to Know

April 24, 2020

It can be boring at home due to the ongoing lockdown, quarantine, or whatever it is called in your place. But instead of bumming all day, you can use this time to be productive at home. Some may already be productive since they are working remotely. Otherwise, you can improve your home little by little during this time. Hiring a home additions builder may not be the best decision for now. However, you can plan for a home remodeling addition or condo remodeling (if you live in a condo unit). A home addition can be a simple tile replacement or a major one like building a living extension in your home. DIY furniture, anyone? It’s nice to imagine living in your dream home. With your own backyard pool, a landscaped garden, and majestic walk-in closet. You’ll feel like a celebrity having these amenities. There are home addition companies that can help transform your house into your dream home. Then again, it may not be the right time to hire home remodeling architects while there’s a lockdown/quarantine ongoing. For now, you can focus on other things that you can improve at home. Say, change your current bed and pillow sheets or add a carpet to your bedroom. Or why not make your own furniture? Making your own furniture may seem intimidating. However, you don’t have to be a professional carpenter or craftsman to make your own furniture. More so, it’s not complicated to maintain your home and keep it in style. DIY furniture ideas Want to make your own furniture? It can actually be not that as hard as you think. You can use your old furniture and recreate it into a creative and useful one. You can use an old bench and turn it into an extra space to place your home décor. You can just repaint it if there is no damage to the bench. It won’t spend a lot of your time refurbishing the old bench, table, or chair. Not only is it a resourceful way to reuse old furniture but can look good in your home, too. Why not add an indoor swing? You and your kids will surely love this DIY swing right in the comfort of your own home. You can make a hanging chair made from canvas, leather, or any other durable fabric available. With some knots, drills, and couple of stitches, you can create your DIY indoor swing.  Make sure there are no vases and other fragile items nearby or else it might be knocked down accidentally. If you have an old drawer, you can revamp it into a kitchen island. You can repaint, repair, and modify some parts if you want. For example, you can add a slab of wood on top so it can be a countertop as well. Plus, this DIY kitchen island can be your extra storage space and a kitchen attraction, too. Old road signs can be converted into stylish stool seatings at home. Secure the metal signs on wooden stools, bend it if necessary, and you will now have eye-catching trendy seats at home. Tips in crafting […]

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What You Need to Know in Choosing a Roof System

March 13, 2020

Any structure, including residential homes and commercial buildings, would not complete without a roofing system. Not only it adds aesthetic value to the structure but it also provides protection against outdoor elements such as snow, rain, and sun. Looking for a roofing material may not be as exciting as choosing a home décor or furniture. However, it is important to understand why you need to know different roofing materials. If you are planning for a home remodeling addition, you should also consider the right type of roofing that will suit your home’s needs. For one thing, building a home addition is an important decision for every homeowner. It will make a lot of difference in your domestic living. Still, it will depend on the type of home improvement you are aiming for. Different types of roofing materials When it comes to home improvement, a lot of people tend to focus on choosing nice tiles, paint colors, and home décor. However, it is also important to choose the right roofing system for your home extension. For starters, there are different types of roofing materials you can choose from. It will depend on your budget, personal preference, and your home’s structure. A home addition builder and home remodeling architects can also help recommend a nice roof for your home addition. More than aesthetic appeal, it should last you many years and provide protection to you and your family in your home. Some popular roofing materials include the following. Slate This type of roof is made from stone which makes it durable, fire-proof, eco-friendly, and weather-resistant. It is also available in different shades that can suit your house exteriors. Plus, it can add a nice aesthetic appeal to your home. However, this should be installed by professionals. It is also expensive and requires reinforcement to support the slate’s weight. These can also be expensive as well. Clay/concrete Like slate, clay or concrete roofs are also durable, eco-friendly, and weather and fire-resistant. It also comes in different styles. However, it also has to be installed by professionals and should have underlying support to handle the weight of the roofing material. Metal It includes different materials such as aluminum, copper, and steel. Some come as sheeting and tiles. It is also durable, fireproof, and effective in shedding ice and snow. Make sure it has some kind of protection against corrosion as most metal roofs can be prone to rust. Wood Such wooden roofs are made from pine, redwood, cypress, and cedar. These are also visually appealing and ideal for those who are looking for sustainable materials. However, the main issue is it is fireproof and prone to decaying and rotting over time. What to consider in choosing a roofing system By now, you already have an idea of the different roof options to choose from. It will depend on several factors such as the following. Terminologies Before choosing a roofing material, you should be familiar with the roofing terminologies home addition companies use. For example, architects builders use “squares” in measuring the roofing area. Material The roofing material you choose depends on your budget, home […]

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When Is the Best Time for a Home Addition?

August 29, 2019

There is something about having your own house that makes you feel proud and accomplished. It is as if you are doing what the younger millennials call “adulting” the right way. Buying a house is not cheap either – you either have to get a housing loan or pay for it in full cash. Owning a house is one thing, planning for a home remodel is another thing. A home addition design may be necessary depending on your home living needs. You would also have to contact a professional home addition builder to achieve your home improvement objectives. Likewise, it requires careful planning and you need to invest time and money in a home addition project. When to start a home addition project As the popular adage goes, “there is always the best time for everything”. The same applies in a home addition. It can be exciting to plan for a home addition project. But the question is, do you really need one right now? There are some important factors you can consider whether it is the right time to have a home addition. Here are some things you need to think about first before giving a professional home additions builder a call. Season In many countries, summer is the best season to do outdoor remodeling. For one thing, it is better to do any home improvement if the sun is up with no threats of project delays due to rain or any bad weather. Material costs On the downside, prices of raw materials may shoot up in peak seasons especially during summer. Having said that, it may be a good idea to plan your home addition project ahead of time. In other words, you may consider purchasing building materials in advance before summer arrives. Contractor’s availability You should also include your contractor’s availability in your home addition plans. Like building materials, the contractor’s availability may also be compromised if they are busy juggling other building projects. That said, it is important to determine which times of the year are their busiest seasons. Planning for a home addition You may get inspired by home addition ideas you see on the internet or glossy magazines. But there are times that it may not be applicable to your own home for some reason. However, you can consider these questions if you are planning for a home addition. What kind of home addition do you need? There are different kinds of home addition that will suit every homeowner’s needs. It is like creating an entirely new home for your growing family. How much will it cost? For one thing, a home addition can be expensive depending on how big the additional room will be. It will also depend on the materials that will be used and labor costs, among a few. Are there building and zoning restrictions to consider? In most places, you may have to find out any restrictions when it comes to building another structure in your property. This includes restriction in a structure’s height and materials to be used, among a few. Do you even need a home addition? As […]

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Money-Saving Tips to Afford a Home Addition

August 12, 2019

Building a home addition may be a necessary thing especially for your growing family. You can hire a professional home addition builder for your home addition needs. There are also various affordable home additions options you can choose from depending on your budget. Whether you opt to build an additional room or convert your attic, home additions require extensive planning and budget to come into fruition. A home addition can add functionality, beauty, and value to your current home. While it can be exciting to plan for your home addition, it literally comes with a price. It depends on what you want to include in the home addition. Nevertheless, you should have a set budget if you are planning for a home addition. Getting started Having a home addition is a good choice for those who want to have an additional living space without moving to another house. As mentioned, it requires creating a timeline, choosing the home remodeling addition option, and hiring a professional home additions builder. A home addition may take a few weeks to several months to complete depending on the size of the construction area. Your daily life may also get affected by the home improvement project, so make sure to plan some adjustments while construction is ongoing. The good news is that there are affordable home additions options available. You can choose one that will suit your budget and your home addition requirements. Also, you must ask yourself these crucial questions before taking on a home addition project: How much budget should I allot on the home addition project? How big should the home addition room be? Can the current property space accommodate a home addition? What should I include in the home addition room (e.g. furniture, décor, cabinets, etc.)? Should you hire a contractor for a home addition project? As mentioned, a home addition project needs some extensive planning. To accomplish that, you would need to hire a professional contractor. Make sure that the contractor has years of experience in the home improvement industry. You should also check out reviews about the contractor so you can decide whether to hire him or not. Hiring a contractor for a home addition project can be expensive. You might also think you won’t need one if you want to DIY the home improvement project. However, it can be a wise decision to hire one anyway. For one thing, you can rely on the contractor’s professional skills so that the project will be completed. Where can you find a reliable and professional contractor? Here are some options you can consider: Find contractors online (make sure to check client feedback) Department of Consumer Protection Better Business Bureau Referrals from friends and family The Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau (BBB) most likely have a list of contractors per state or city. These resources also have records of each contractor and any complaints it has encountered and whether these are already resolved. Nevertheless, these sources of information can help a lot in choosing the right home additions builder for you. How to save money on a home additions […]

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Leveling Up: What to Consider Before Building a Second-Storey Addition

July 30, 2019

As your family grows, the bigger the home space you may need. It can be two things: either move into a larger house or contact home remodeling architects for a home addition project. If you are considering the latter, you would also have to consider whether to have a horizontal or vertical home addition design. Each option has its own pros and cons, and will also depend on your property size and your family’s lifestyle. If you choose to build-out A lot of homeowners consider whether to build up or build-out. The former pertains to building a second-story to their existing house. The latter, on the other hand, refers to building a home addition within your property. It can be an additional room in your backyard, extending your kitchen area, or converting your garage into a family room. In building out, home addition companies will use a backhoe to dig up the area where the addition will take place. A foundation will be set, add roofing, and then proceed in linking the existing property with the upcoming one. In some cases, the home addition can be a separate area within the property and won’t necessarily have to be connected to the existing home structure. On one hand, there can be at least a minimal disruption to your home living and to your current living space. As mentioned, you can either expand and link a new living space into the current residential structure, or build a separate living area within your property. On the contrary, you may also need to comply with local zoning standards. At the same time, you should have enough yard space to accommodate a bump-out or a separate home addition design. If you choose to build-up Meanwhile, building up means adding an additional floor above your existing home. You can add second-story living space above your current garage, living room, or porch areas. You can also opt to build additional rooms in the second-story area, or a small attic area to add height to your house. Again, it will depend on your lifestyle and your current family and living space needs. In building up, home remodeling architects won’t have to take away your existing yard space. However, home contractors would have to enhance your house’s current foundation to make sure it can support the additional weight due to the construction of the second-story area. On one hand, you won’t have to worry about complying with local zoning standards and considering limitations on the floor-area-ratio. However, you should also consider height limitations in your area. You should also add space for a staircase leading up to the second floor. Also, the building contractor may have to tear down part of your walls or ceiling for electrical, heating, and plumbing requirements. Second-story construction options As mentioned, there are different options you can choose from in building a second-story above your existing house. Before choosing your preferred option, make sure that the addition project complies with the local building regulations. It is also important to hire professional home remodeling addition contractors to complete the said addition project. Replace the roofing […]

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What You Need to Know Before Considering a Home Addition

July 17, 2019

Owning a property is a huge responsibility. For one, you have to ensure that your property is in overall good condition. This includes fixing issues such as broken tiles, chipped wall paint, or a leaky faucet. Likewise, you should also ensure that your yard is well-maintained. But while your family grows, so is your need for a bigger living space. On one hand, you may consider buying or rent a larger house. Or you can hire a home addition builder to help you build an extension of your home. You can choose from a wide variety of home addition design that will suit your needs for additional living space. Why home additions are made Affordable home additions are available to cater to homeowners’ needs for extra living space without leaving their property. It is an option to extend your house without the need to relocate and move into a new home. House additions can range from affordable and low-cost additions to more expensive ones. Whichever your addition option is, what is important is that it should meet or even exceed your expectations for comfortable living space within your home. Popular home addition options Among popular home additions you can choose from includes the following. Traditional home addition This refers to a structure that can house multiple rooms and is usually built beside the main house. When built by a professional home additions builder, it can look like it is part of the main house itself. A traditional home addition can house multiple rooms such as a small bedroom, a bathroom, or a kitchen area. While building one can be expensive, it can increase its total property value when you plan to sell it one day. Since you’re technically building a small house, you will also need to hire architect builders and get necessary permits for the construction project. Sunroom Unlike traditional home additions, sunrooms are usually made from materials that are pre-fabricated and then assembled in your property. It is not usually meant to serve as a permanent living space but rather a relaxation area or an extension of the living room. Building a sunroom may not be as complicated, unlike traditional home extensions. Garage makeover Garage conversions can usually turn into an additional bedroom, living room or kitchen depending on your addition needs. Since the roof and the structure is already there, you would usually have to work on other elements such as flooring, walls, plumbing and other building requirements. Room addition Also known as a bump out, it is a type of home addition built on the side of an existing house. It is usually meant to be a single room, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or a small bedroom. The main objective is to alleviate the cramped space of an existing house by adding a bump out and accommodate a small room there. Things to consider before building a home addition As mentioned, home addition is a good option to add living space in your home. If you don’t want to sell your house and move into a bigger house, then it is a good idea to […]

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The Living Room Decoration Essentials

February 20, 2019

Every living room is a focal point. In fact, even affordable home additions can make a room classy and elegant. If you are just about to start decorating your home, the first area that you should pay attention to is the living room. Putting all the pieces you’ve shopped for your living room can be overwhelming and instead of giving the room a harmonious and inviting appeal, it might turn out the other way around. TIME TO STYLE YOUR LIVING ROOM When decorating your living room, you have to consider the shades of paint you will be having in on your walls, the kind of furniture that already have and what other furnishings you need, and how to style and decorate the entire room. However, you cannot start with your project without finding out what your accessorizing taste is. If you’re having a hard time, you can scout and look into living room photos to help and give you an idea. Knowing this will initially give you the drive to properly and decisively choose the paint colors, furniture, floor covering, window coverings, accessories, and other stuff that you wanted to place in your living room area. THE TIPS ON HOW TO NAIL A LIVING ROOM DECORATING PROJECT The Furniture One common dilemma of most homeowners is how to arrange and style their living room furnishings. The most typical style is by pushing the sofa against the wall followed by the chairs against the other wall and that just basically it. Easy-peasy. Yet, the best way to achieve a living room that will really stand out is by planning on how to arrange your furniture. One important thing to consider is which part of the room should be the focal point, which area seems inviting as a conversation area, and the traffic flow in the living room. The Area Rugs and Floor Coverings Area rugs and other floor coverings are considered to be one of the ornamental items that are so overwhelming to place in any room, particularly in the living room. The benefits of using one can really be overflowing, but before you purchase it simply because you find it perfect for your living room, make sure that you know by heart how to pick an area rug. Knowing the size of an area rug is the most important rule.  Placing a small-sized floor covering in your living room can make the entire space a bit jumbled so knowing first the size of the room and how your furniture is arranged should always be considered. All your furnishings should be on top of the area rug with at least a 10-to-20 inches of bare floor separating the wall of the room and the area rug. Wall Art Don’t you find an empty wall somewhat incomplete? It is! You don’t have to crowd your wall with décors and frames, but placing some art pieces on it is very important. It doesn’t have to be all expensive masterpieces or paintings just to present an inviting and close-knit look. The perception of one about art can differ from how the other sees it, therefore, […]

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Things You Should Avoid When Doing A Home Renovation

October 7, 2018

Your independence and responsibility to your family had already reached another level and that is having your current abode undergo a renovation. You have sought the expertise of a home addition builder, and so far is going through some details. However, there are some blunders that a homeowner like you make before, during, and after the remodeling process. These personal lapses greatly affect the total outcome and renovation phase and experts would like to condone themselves for not providing enough reminders and pointer during the “pre” renovation negotiation. But the fact of the matter is, home remodeling experts could no longer stress enough how a homeowner can avoid certain “oversight” in renovating their homes. SOME HOME REFASHIONING ABERRATIONS YOU SHOULD NOT DO Because having a home remodeling can really be overwhelming, there are decisions and actions that you may or might do as your “project” progresses. Below you shall encounter tips about the things that you should be avoiding when undergoing a home refurbishing –  which basically applies to both new and old homeowners. IMPULSIVELY GIVING THE RENOVATION A “GO” Renovation experts and real estate gurus advise movers and homeowners to experience a bit more about their homes before finalizing any renovation plans. You may be too stoked to get that living room overhauled, but get a feel of the actual area first as well as the entire house. Because once the renovation starts, there is no more turning back. UNDERESTIMATING THE NEEDED BUDGET You might think that because it’s just your kitchen that is being remodeled, you will just be spending for that particular work alone. Well, sorry to surprise you, but you have to anticipate that there is more job to be done than you can imagine. So experts advise to always add an additional 20% to your actual budget to be prepared for whatever surprises you may encounter. TOO MUCH EXPECTATION Not all reconstructions are smooth sailing. Especially if you are planning to renovate an old house there could be more unforeseen cases that are beyond your workers’ control. Always expect the unexpected, because although your contractors would try their utmost effort to make everything work according to the original plan there is always the chance that nothing will. So always expect less. HIRING A DESIGNER IS NOT A PRIORITY Some people think that it will cost them more if they acquire professional assistance from interior designers and architects. But the truth is, they will be spending more out of their pockets without any experts help. Therefore, avoid making the same mistake as most have because hiring their services will actually help you save more than you can imagine. CHOOSING THE LOWEST OFFER Another mistake by many homeowners is going for the cheapest contractor bid. In fact, you will be getting more out of your money if you vouch for a skilled and experienced professional. So invest in hiring the best services rather than those who offer a much affordable service and can work with you right away. NOT ALL PROFESSIONALS ARE COMPATIBLE TO WORK WITH This is the other side of what is stated in #5. […]

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Give Your Outdoor Space A New Spice

August 26, 2018

So you’ve been seeing a lot of information and tips about backyard and outdoor remodeling ideas, but this time it’s going to be all about upgrading your porch or front entryway area. Your exterior front entry is the first sight that your guests will be seeing every time they come over. It’s your front porch and front door that will be welcoming your visitors and will be greeting you when you come home from work. If you’re having a hard time doing your entryway renovation homework, then here are some tips for you. Porch and Entryway Ideas Whether you have a small or a big porch area, you can always spice it up with different tools and accessories to provide your entryway a new character and improve the appeal of your house. Make Use Of A Covered Overhead As Entrance. Having a covered overhead added or attached to your front door entry does not only serve as an appealing decorative but is also a great shade whenever there is a rain or storm. This looks great on small-spaced porches because it does not only add detail to your main doorway is also a great spot to hang out with your guest or just have a coffee or tea time. You Will Never Go Wrong With Lanterns Lanterns are not just for indoors sitting on your grandmother’s side table rather they can also perfectly accentuate your outdoor area too. Having the right lighting posted or hanging from your front entrance and porch will totally elevate the façade of your entryway. There are a wide variety of lanterns you can choose for your porch area from the traditional to the modern ones. But classics will always present you that nostalgic feeling so going for the old-fashioned lanterns will transport your guests back to the old times. Consider A Door Replacement Door designs are silently presenting a huge impact on the totality of your home. That although you have modernized your windows and reconstructed the architectural tone for your entire house, that sentimental-looking grandfather’s door seems to be representing your home the opposite way. Match your door with how modern or classic your house is styled. The Classic Window Boxes Window boxes are the timeless classics of outdoor home décor. But there are also styles that will perfectly fit the different modern window styles no matter what kind of paint or finish it may be. But, you see, these old-school flower boxes never run out of style and so will your windows once you’ve accessorized them with these seamless boxes. More Exterior Décor Ideas Gate Is Still In Protection or exterior décor it doesn’t matter. Mini gates together with landscaping can go beyond your wildest outdoor ideas. As classic as they look, low masonry gates or wooden gates will just give your front garden entrance a classical ambiance. It’s like you’re experiencing the 70’s or the 80’s this 21st Try experimenting with it and it will place you on the map. Remodel Your Driveway It may be your least priority, but your driveway is part of your entrance area so it should also […]

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All About Home Additions

February 13, 2018

Are you thinking of adding a feature to your home? You should go ahead and do it. All you need to do is hire a home addition builder to help you with the work. Benefits of home additions There are plenty of benefits that come with having additional features in your home. Some of these benefits include: Cheaper: Compared to buying a new home with a feature that you are looking for, hiring a contractor to install the feature in your home is much less expensive. You should find a reputable contractor who is highly experienced in building the unit that you are interested in. Less stressful: Deciding to move to a new house is very stressful as you have to find a new house. It can take you months or even years before you find a house that you like. The stress is even more pronounced if you have small children. You have more control: This is a no-brainer. When you work with your home addition design contractor, you have control of where you want to build the additional feature. You also have control of where you want to install the unit. This isn’t the case when you buy a home with the feature already built in place. Additional features you can build in your home You can build many units in your home. The most common ones are: Sunroom: Do you enjoy the sun but you don’t want to display yourself in public? You should go ahead and install a sunroom in your home. In addition to the unit providing you with privacy, it also gives you control of the environment and air. Patio: If you have a large yard, and you enjoy spending time outdoors, you should install a patio. You can install a fireplace on the patio and even furniture to make it homelier and a great place to spend time with friends and family. Swimming pool: If your yard allows it and you have a budget, you should contact a home remodel expert to help you in designing and constructing a swimming pool that will be ideal for you and family. In addition to the swimming pool providing you with a great place for you to relax, it also greatly improves the value of your home thus you sell it at a higher price. Conclusion This is what you need to know about home additions DC. For you to get the most from the project, work with an expert.

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