Minnesota Custom Home Builders
Let’s say you have found the home of your dreams. Inside and out, this house has everything you want and need. But then, you realize you do not have a place to make crafts, or put the baby, or to workout. It happens all the time. The perfect home often does not have that extra room or space you must have. Finding a house that has the exact layout that you are looking for is difficult. But, you always have the choice of adding or expanding a room that will fit your family like a glove.
Who Should You Hire?
Most folks start their project by finding an architect who can understand what they are going for with the addition and can design an add-on that does not look like an add-on. Consider the resale value of your home and how the room might appeal to those who might want to purchase the abode from you. Often, construction companies have architects on staff. Completing your research is essential, as is hiring individuals who are licensed, insured, and bonded.
How Much Will it Cost?
The cost of adding a room to your house varies dramatically depending on where you live and the type of addition you need. A terrific site to use when you are deciding on your addition is CostHelper.com. From its beginning in 2007, CostHelper has helped homeowners decipher the approximate costs for goods and services. The information you receive depends on the research of the prices of specific items and services by the CostHelper team.
The publishers of the site give objective, complete, and forthright information. At least you can find ballpark figures that will be an excellent first step toward deciding on your addition. Many remodeling and design companies say that owners will pay somewhere between $200 to $600 a square foot for their new room. They add that the more you build, the lower the square foot costs.
Other Methods to Bring Down Costs
- Understand that potential tax credits can be applied when an addition to a house occurs.
- Use energy-efficient measures for the remodel and recoup up to 30 percent of the total cost.
- Know that energy-efficient windows, doors, geothermal heat pumps, solar panels, and other energy-saving measures will save you money over time.
- Money can be saved if you use to add a room within the existing footprint of the house, such as the attic, basement, or garage.
- If you decide on a stand-alone structure (e.g., studio, sunroom, office) you may save money due to not requiring demolition of the homes existing walls, doors, and floors.
Having an Official Contract
Once you make your decision to add on to your home, it is tempting to choose the contractor whose bid is lower than the others you receive. This kind of savings is almost always “too good to be true.” Here are some things to think over:
- You want to ensure that there are no “hidden and unexpected” costs for which you have not budgeted.
- Ask your builder and other contractors for a “fixed cost” contract.
- Materials can go up over the time it takes to complete your project. Make sure your contractor stays within the budget that is in the contract.
- Be extremely prudent when it comes to the scope of the work you want to accomplish. Every task that is necessary for the completion of the project must appear on the original “fixed cost” contract.
Zoning Laws and Permits
Cities and towns have strict regulations, zoning laws, requirements for particular buildings, size restrictions, location constraints. Individuals who are experienced in acquiring permits and are knowledgeable in the area of understanding building regulations are a necessity. Knowing the ins and outs of these types of construction details is critical for your build.
Greenwood Design-Build, LLC
For those who live in proximity of these areas, Greenwood Design-Build is happy to offer its services: Edina, Victoria, Chaska, Waconia, Cologne, Norwood Young America, Carver, Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Savage, Prior Lake, Jordan, Orono, Wayzata, Richfield, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville. We are your Minnesota experienced customized home builders and remodelers. How are we different from the rest of the pack?
- We know how to stretch, push, pull, and fit a home to a family.
- Greenwood knows you have a budget and knows how to make that budget work.
- Our team listens to your needs; asks the right questions, and focuses on what you want.
- Our architectural designer, Doug Cutting, has been in the business for more than 15 years. He is driven to match the homeowners’ wants and needs into his home design.
- Scott Loehrer, our director of construction, has been in the building arena for over 17 years and has made it a habit to “be there” for homeowners at every stage of development.
- Greenwood is a member of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities.
- Our company received a Best of Houzz award in 2018.
- The team’s remodeling skills include kitchens, bathrooms, exterior updates, decks, porches, whole-house remodeling, green design and build, and more.
- Our master builders can add furniture-quality built-ins to an entire home.
- We have maintained an average of five-star ratings for years. Many of our customers have recommended our company to their friends.
- Our knowledge, experience, professionalism, and attention to detail are regularly pointed out by our clients.
If you are considering an addition to your home in the Edina, Minnesota area, we would love to meet with you to discuss your ideas. A consultation with our team is available at no cost to you, and there will be no obligation and no pressure from our team. We want to assist you in solving any problems you may be facing and offer ideas that will inspire you in your decisions.
Contact us today to learn more about our approach to ensuring that you receive the best possible home addition available. You can be sure, with GreenWood Design-Build, your home will satisfy your needs and reflect your lifestyle.