"Steps to Successful Building and Renovating"
1. Selecting a Building Site - Factors to consider:
proximity to: hospitals, schools, shopping, churches, employment, fire stations and recreation facilities
undesirable conditions: airport flight paths, rail tracks, major highways, industrial or agricultural noise/odor
site conditions: view, soil, drainage, orientation of the sun, road access, proximity to bog, water or bush (conditions ripe for mosquitoes and flies)
rural areas: enquire about water/septic conditions and requirements
2. Designing Your Home
List your wants and needs, number/size of bedrooms, bathroom fixtures, kitchen requirements, laundry room location, storage, closets, attached or detached garage, etc.
Take photographs of houses, special features and materials that you like; review home magazines to take note of characteristics, plans and exterior features that suit your taste.
Sketch plans and ideas.
Bring the above ideas to a professional home designer such as Ray Hunnakko Home Design. The designer will prepare preliminary sketches for review. When the design is established, the designer will produce the construction working drawings.
3. Home Construction
"The home designer can assist you in selecting a contractor, and provide advice with regard to building permits and cost estimates."
Compile the names of contractors, home builders, and other trades people recommended by friends and people you trust, who have had satisfactory homes built by these contractors.
Obtain a price quote from at least three contractors.
Have the selected contractor prepare a thorough contract including a breakdown of materials, labour, a list of sub-trades, a construction/payment schedule, warranties and guarantees. Have your lawyer review the contract before signing.
The home owner can save substantial cost by being their own general contractor i.e. hiring and coordinating the sub-trades, but managing home construction requires extensive construction knowledge, and a large time commitment. Instead, you may wish to consider hiring a qualified, independent, construction manager to coordinate the sub-trades.
"Renovate/Add or Relocate? That is the Question!"
Do you find yourself wondering whether your should renovate, build an addition or relocate to a home that better suits your needs?
A qualified, professional home designer, such as Ray Hunnakko Home Design, can assist in making this crucial decision.
If you desire to sell your home, it is wise to keep the refurbishing costs to a minimum. Confine your spending to cleaning/painting the house and property. A low cost face-lift will make the property more attractive to potential buyers, and possibly result in a higher profit.
If you prefer to stay in your present neighbourhood for at least five to ten years, then a more extensive renovation or an addition is a viable solution.
Once You've Made Your Decision:
Take pictures of your existing house.
Have the home designer take measurements and make a sketch of the house and property, or you may choose to do this yourself.
It is important that an addition is co-ordinated and proportioned properly, so it enhances and compliments the existing house. This will maximize the real estate value of the property.
Proceed with the "Steps to Successful Building and Renovating" above.
April 18, 2005