home addition Archives - Bruzzese Home Improvements

A Lifelong Investment: 4 Home Add-Ons that Are Worth it in the Long Run

August 28, 2019December 20, 2023Bruzzese Home Improvementshome addition, Home Improvement Tipsaddition, home addition, home improvementLeave a comment

One of the biggest advantages of owning your own home is watching your investment grow. As time passes, you may even decide to add some upgrades, modifications, or add-ons to make your home more comfortable. Fortunately, some of those changes will increase the value of your home while improving your lifestyle. Here are four examples.

Adding a Bathroom

It’s actually one of the home remodeling projects that will give you a high return on your investment, especially if you are thinking about including luxury features like walk-in shower areas, ornate tile work, or expansive windows to capture the natural light.

Not only will you be able to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, new bathroom, but if you decide to sell your home, an additional bathroom will make it more attractive to buyers. And, you’ll be able to recoup a large percentage of what you spent with your increased asking price.

A New Master Suite

It only makes sense that adding a new master bedroom suite, complete with abundant closet space and a luxurious bathroom, will add even more to the value of your home than a new bathroom alone would. It all comes down to the details and the quality of the addition.

Finding the right contractor is essential to the success of any home improvement project. You’re not only making sure that all of the work is high-quality, but in the event that you ever decide to sell, any potential buyers will be taking a close look at any upgrades in the home.

Add a Deck

A new deck is another home improvement that can significantly add to the value of your home if it’s well-constructed and properly planned. It’s amazing how professional, experienced deck builders can take a look at the exterior of your home and design a deck that enhances its overall appearance, adding value both aesthetically and financially.

Building a Second Level

Turning a one-story home into a split-level or two-story home is one of the most expensive home improvement projects that you can undertake. But, it can also pay off the most if it’s done the right way. An extra level on your home will dramatically change its appearance, add a significant amount of living space, and substantially increase the home’s value.

These are only a few of the home add-ons that will pay off in the long run. The best thing about home additions is that you get to enjoy all of their benefits while you’re increasing the value of your home. And, that’s hard to put a price on.

Full House: Should I Build up or Add On?

March 29, 2019Bruzzese Home Improvementshome addition, home improvementaddition, home improvementLeave a comment

Families change over time. Typically, they grow larger. As this happens, the needs of that family change. While a home may have been an adequate living space when the family was smaller, this may no longer be the case after you have several kids and your parents move in with you. Many people can’t afford to move into a bigger place. So, one of the only options for many families is to expand the living space they do have.

In terms of a home expansion project, you have two choices. You can either build up or add on horizontally. Here the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

Benefits of Building Up

One choice is to expand your house by building up. This of course means adding an extra level to either the main structure of your home to the garage to create extra living space. The main benefit here is you won’t lose any of your yard when completing this kind of expansion. You may also be able to avoid zoning restrictions that could be in place on the square footage of the floor of your home.

Disadvantages of Building Up

However, despite the benefits, there are distinct disadvantages to building up. Building a new stable floor can be difficult. Even if you find a good deal on timber for sale, you will likely require a contractor. Building a new staircase can take up a lot of room in the lower level you may not want to sacrifice. Building over your garage can also produce the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning if a car runs in the garage for long enough even with the garage door open.

Benefits of Adding On

Your second choice is to add on to your home by building out horizontally. This method may be preferable because it causes the least disruptions to your existing home. You won’t, for example, have to alter the existing foundation. Instead, you just lay more foundation. You’ll also have much more freedom to do what you want with a completely new addition.

Disadvantages of Adding On

Of course there are also possible disadvantages to expanding your home horizontally as well. You will of course lose some of your yard that you may have wanted to preserve. There may also be zoning limitations that introduce a legal element to expanding your house in this way.

Families grow and so do their needs. If your home doesn’t have enough space, certainly consider an expansion project. Put a lot of consideration into whether it would be best to expand horizontally or vertically. Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Adding Onto Your Home? How to Avoid These 4 Obstacles

July 9, 2018November 25, 2023Bruzzese Home ImprovementsArchitecture, home addition, home improvementaddition, home improvementLeave a comment

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, then there are some common problems that you may run into. While these obstacles may add to the cost of the remodeling project, they do not have to put your plans on hold if you know how to overcome them effectively. Here are some common obstacles and ways to overcome them.

Stop Water Damage

One of the most common obstacles in adding an addition to your home is water damage to the existing structure. Unfortunately, water can cause mold and mildew problems. It can also make people living in the home sick because of bacteria problems. The first step is to discover where the water is getting into the home. Then, work with construction management services professional to take corrective measures to stop the water from getting in before replacing any damaged parts.

Prevent Lead from Entering the Environment

When adding a new addition to your home, then workers may discover lead. The most common place to discover lead is in the plumbing as lead pipes used to be commonplace while lead compound was often used to join galvanized pipes at a later time. If this is the problem, then you can either replace the pipes with new pipes that containing no lead. Others choose to get a filtration system that will remove the lead from the water. Regardless of the chosen solution, make sure that the lead is contained in some way whether than spread throughout the environment.

Avert Electrical Problems

Many home addition projects start with the discovery that the home’s electrical system is no longer up to code. In most cases, you will need to hire a licensed electrician to bring your home up to code. The good news is that many projects can be completed by running new wires where old ones currently are or replacing old outlets with new ones. If the electrician suggests that you need to tear out a wall, then ask if new wiring can be placed on the outside of the wall and covered with baseboard if you are on a tight budget. While electrical problems can be expensive, it is far better to be safe than have a home fire. After all, about 2,500 people are killed in home fires annually in the United States.

Lost Materials

If your home addition project involves matching materials to those there already, then you may find it hard to find the same materials. Today’s manufacturers do not make the same materials that they used to make. You may have some luck shopping online for these materials as someone may be trying to sell the exact materials that you need. You may also want to head to a home thrift store to see if someone has donated old materials. Finally, you may have to get creative in your designing making new and old materials look like they belong together.

Use these solutions and your own ingenuity to solve home remodeling problems. While you may have to think outside the box, the result is often fantastic. Remember that home remodeling is often very stressful, so work with a professional to solve any problems that arise.

Renovation ROI: 4 Home Additions That Are a Tremendous Bang for Your Buck

June 22, 2017adminhome addition, home improvement, home remodelingaddition, home improvement, home remodeling, home renovation, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Many homeowners set aside money every year to reinvest back into their property. Your home will most likely be one of the biggest purchases you ever make, and you want to be sure that every remodeling project you carry out is going to increase its value. Here is a quick look at four popular home additions that often have an excellent return on investment.

Turn Your Attic into a Bedroom

The National Association of Realtors says that an attic conversion has an average ROI of around 61 percent. Adding an extra bedroom is one of the easiest ways to boost the value of your property without actually changing the structure of your home. When you are converting your attic, you should make sure that it is both accessible and comfortable.

Add an Outdoor Living Space

Those who live in a relatively moderate climate might be able to substantially increase the value of their home by adding an outdoor living space. Unlike many indoor renovations, creating an outdoor living space can often be completed by the homeowner. You will only need to call in a professional contractor if you want to install underground gas, water, or electrical lines.

Install a Utility Carport

A utility carport will maximize your outdoor space without breaking the bank. In addition to the covered area, a utility carport from places like Coast to Coast Carports Inc. also includes a small indoor area for storage. These structures can be installed within just a few days, and they are the perfect option for those who have boats, motorcycles, extra cars, or ATVs. You can even run power to the storage area to turn it into a workshop.

Remodel the Basement

While converting a basement into a bedroom can have an excellent ROI, you might also want to think about turning it into a family room, entertainment room, or bar. Many real estate agents and buyers love to see unique additions that will make a home stand out from all other nearby pieces of property. Updating the lighting, adding some neutral carpet, and painting the walls can be carried out in just a few hours, and those upgrades will drastically increase your home’s living space.

Even if you have quite a bit of experience as a DIY enthusiast, most of these major additions should be left to the professionals. Not only will a reputable contractor be insured, but they will also guarantee that your project adheres to all local and state regulations. If those contractors make a mistake, then you won’t have to worry about stiff fines and fees.

How To Choose Architects For Your House Extensions?

April 13, 2017adminArchitecture, home addition, Home Improvement Tipsaddition, architecture, home improvementLeave a comment

Are you planning for house extensions? If so, you have ample tasks to perform among which the key action will be to hire a competent and worthy architect. For a layman, the task of assessing the worthiness of an architect will never be an easy task. Hence, you need to approach this task, being wise and considerate. This article will discuss the key points of consideration in this regard.

House Extensions

Does the architect hold the necessary qualification to operate in the similar capacity?

The first and foremost point is to check whether the architect holds the necessary qualification to operate in the similar capacity. This is a high-end profession and hence, a professional in this regard should have the necessary qualifications. Approaching to a qualified professional for house extensions will ensure that you will be getting the most delightful outcome in the end.

The extent of experience that the provider holds

Remember, the best services can come from the experts hand only. With that said, you should always consider the extent of the experience that the provider holds. An experienced architect will have the expertise and solution to address your needs. Most importantly, an experienced architect can give you worthy suggestions that will enable you to complete the house extensions flawlessly with the perfection, without getting into troubles and hassles. An experienced architect will know the tricks and tips to complete the extension projects, within competitive expenses.

Does the architect accomplish similar projects like yours previously?

You should check whether previously, the architect has accomplished projects, similar to yours or not. This will ensure that the architect will have the expertise to deliver up to your expectations. In this regard, it will be a wise decision to approach the experienced architect that have executed innumerable projects for House Extensions. In his/her avid experience, he/she must have accomplished the type of the extension plan that you might hold. This will ensure that the architect can meet your expectations. You can even ask the architect to furnish portfolio of the works that he/she have already executed in the past.

House Extensions

What about the service fees payable to the architect?

When you are looking for an architect for house extensions, you should consider the service fees payable to the professional as well. Depending on the experience and reputation, the fees payable to the architect can go to a sky-high extent. Hence, before you hire a professional architect, you should check the fees payable to him/her. You should discuss with the professional in this regard and collaborate with the architect who charges reasonable service fees. However, don’t overemphasize the aspect of the payable service fees. You should look for architect that hold reputation in the market, yet, charges competitive professional fees. Fortunately, the best architect always adopt fair pricing strategies.

What about the reputation of the architect?

The Reputation of a professional grows only after he/she had served the customers consistently for a significant span of time. Hence, you should always approach the reputed professional. A reputed professional will know the tricks and tips to meet your expectations. Moreover, by availing the services of these professionals, you will certainly experience the best grade services. In this regard, it will be wise to refer to the reviews on the services of the architect that will enable you to make a realistic assessment of the worthiness of the professional. A reputed and reliable architect will always feature positive reviews and hence, you can definitely afford to rely on such professional.

Selecting an architect, considering the points stated above will fetch you the most competent expert to take care of your plan for house extensions.

5 Factors to Consider When Planning Home additions

April 2, 2017adminArchitecture, home addition, Home Improvement Tipsaddition, architecture, home improvementLeave a comment

Home additions, when done right, can be pleasing and functional additions. Many opt for home additions to add more value to their home or just get more space for the family. However, just like any other project in the world, it is wise to count the cost before diving into it. Many have started home additions without planning it out completely and they have failed or ended up with horrible result.

Home additions

So to help you out with your next endeavor, here are certain important things that you need to consider before implementing a home extension project:

1. Get the Objective Clear

Before starting with home additions, ensure that you are clear about what you are going to do and why you will be doing it. Often, home additions are not needed and the home can become more spacious with just a little bit of planning of interior décor. If home additions are absolutely necessary, then just think about for whom you are doing it and what design would be most appropriate for them. For example, if the home extension is for kids then add more fun and zing to the design, whereas for the elderly a more cozy and relaxed design that is accident proof is needed.

2. Finalize on The Design

While considering the design, you will also need to think about the availability of space that you want to extend. Is it wise to extend sideways or does an upward extension makes more sense? Along with this, you will also need to consider the budget and see if the home extension design and plan fits well within your budget or not. There are other such important factors that come into picture such as should the home extension design match with the existing design of the home or can more sunlight come into the home extension. Considering these factors will help you get the best design for your home additions plans.

3. Planning Permission & Building Regulations

Check with your local building department to make sure your home extension meets set building regulations. If it meets the material requirements and other regulations, then go ahead and apply for your building permit. Be sure to include the costs of acquiring one in your budget before even planning it.

Home additions

4. Inconvenience to Neighbors as Well as Yourself

While planning your home extension project, make sure to create a timeline of the different phases in the project. This will help you see if the project overlaps any holidays or family events and if any inconvenience will be caused to you or not. Sometimes, the home extension project may need you to move out for some time. So, think about the moving out arrangements for your family.

Additionally, the home extension may cause inconvenience to your neighbor so think about them as well. If you need any permission from your neighbor’s get them well in advance or inform them of the home additions project so that they are prepared for it.

5. Do I Need an Architect or Builder?

The complexity of your home additions design will help you determine if you need an architect or a builder or not. If the design demands for anyone of both of them then search for the right one that you can rely on for high quality work as well as to do things within your budget. Ask around for recommendations and your family and friends can help you with this.

Consider these factors well in advance in planning stage of your home additions project. Doing so will ensure that you accomplish the project smoothly without any hindrance or problems!

Positives facts of building a 2 bedroom granny flat

January 24, 2017adminhome addition, home improvement, Home Improvement Tipsaddition, home improvement, home remodeling, home trends2 Comments

A granny flat is the special residential setting that many homeowners build to accommodate elderly people who are in their later age and cannot make living on their own. Putting them in a nursing home for strangers to take care of them is not your only option. A granny flat is an accessory suite that belongs to the primary dwelling and can be found with attached or detached design. So, a granny flat comes in to aid old-age family members who can live happily in 2 bedroom space that are complete with kitchen, bathroom and pleasant living area.

2 bedroom granny flat

This concept has found a significant place in today’s homeowner’s essential to-do-list when it comes to building an extra personalized space for accommodation of their loved ones. The thought of constructing the granny flat setting also crosses the mind of urban citizens because of its ability to enhance the value of property and give you an opportunity to earn additional income.

Of course, there are pros and cons of building such an accessory to your existing property. Your final decision of whether or not to go for the extra space depends on what you make of it.

Positives

Here are some of the pro factors:

Great emotional support

Can you think of the pain your parents may have to go when they get retired from their job? Or worse, when they lose their partner? In time of emotional trauma and misery, the elderly members of your family need support and shelter and warm touch of their loved ones. To make them feel less lonely and loveless, you can allow them to stay in a 2 bedroom granny flat built close to your existing house and make them feel loved, cared and secure.

2 bedroom granny flat

Relationship gets stronger

As you are able to provide much needed emotional support and good care for your parents, you can earn better opportunities to stay close and connected to the elderly family members. You know them better, so only you can give them much comfort and warmth they deserve. By spending more time with them, you can make them feel special, safe and healthy. Thus, your relationship with them remains active and stronger.

Affordable alternative

Can you compare the arrangement of 2 bedroom granny flat built close your house to an independent second house built separately for your parents? Without a doubt, having a granny flat is much more affordable than any other option you have thought. Sending your parents to a retirement home will also not be an appropriate decision since it will cost you more, and your parents may not feel easy and comfortable in an alien environment.

Your second reliable income source

You can switch the users of your flat from time to time. Though the main purpose of building a granny flat is to accommodate certain family members, you can change the rules of the setting in the future. You can rent it out to teenagers who need some space for recreation or music studio and generate regular income stream. Plus, investors are always looking for additional functional space that can be of special use.

Moving on up: What to Consider with a Second Story Addition

September 21, 2016adminArchitecture, home addition, home remodelingaddition, architecture, home remodeling, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Wouldn’t it be cool to just easily add another story to your house like you can do with Legos? Well, removing and re-attaching the roof isn’t that easy, but it isn’t much of a drag either. Adding an entire story addition to your home provides your family with a lot of spare space and amazing views, but there are some requirements you need to meet first.

Structural Requirements

Unlike your old roof system, an entire second story with overcrowded rooms will weigh much more. You cannot just start building it; otherwise your home will collapse. You will need professional engineers to calculate how much weight the foundation and walls can carry and how to strengthen them. A second story will require structural support, which consists of adding steel connections and plywood in main walls and foundation. You cannot neglect this, especially if your home is older and if you live in the area of high seismic risks.

Whole-House Look

Your home probably has one design that prevails throughout the exterior and interior. Adding a second story can disturb the completeness of the design if not done right. There are a lot of décor details to be considered, but the Hudson Homes experts suggest planning a design of a second story as it was always intended or present in your home. Don’t deviate from the house’s design. Rather, mimic the colours, finishes, mechanical and structural work and your home will look complete. A good design of the second

story will only enhance your curb appeal and the home’s functionality.

Mechanical Work

This aspect of adding a story could seem tedious. The furnace, water heater and electrical panels are adjusted to the initial square footage, but now you have to expand all the systems. HVAC systems can easily be replaced or new zones can be added, depending on their type. Electrical panels are upgradable, and can be upgraded to 200 amps, and hot water can be delivered in many ways. You can install tankless heaters that have circulating pumps, opt for regular tank systems or separate on-demand systems for your new master bathroom. Another option is to upgrade your home to energy-efficient systems and install ductless or geothermal heat pumps and solar-assisted hot water.

Stairs

Second story addition has one more tedious, but solvable problem – the stairs. New staircase means reducing the space in one of the rooms, which can greatly affect their use and functionality. However, there are the lucky situations such as extending the existing staircase from the basement. If you are of no such luck, you will need some creative thinking. Consider the use and function of all the rooms and consult with an experienced architect. There is no doubt that you can find the perfect solution without disturbing the traffic flow in your home.

Insulation

This remodeling will probably require removal of the old siding and sheathing from the exterior. Do not despair; use this opportunity to renew your home’s insulation. Some older houses usually don’t have any insulation in their walls, so installing some on both the main story and the new one is a good investment. If your home does have insulation, you can use this occasion to upgrade it to more sustainable one. Keep in mind that the energy consumption will increase along with the increased size of your home, so put in some more effort and money into natural insulation or cladding systems.

Roofing

Without exception, this upgrade of your home requires the removal of the entire roof. Even though you cannot just attach it like it’s a Lego block, a good contractor will make things almost as easy. Many experts recommend adding a second story during the winter when the rains are scarce, but in case of any weather inconveniences, they will make sure your home is protected. You might not even have to vacate your home during the project.

This project is a big investment and it takes time, so make sure not to bite off more than you can chew. Precise plans and trustworthy contractors are a must for a quality base, while the design will be a piece of cake.

3 Simple Backyard Improvements That Will Expand Your Living Space

September 5, 2016adminEntertaining, home addition, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home addition, home trends, Outdoor LivingLeave a comment

Your house is just a fraction of your living space. There are several ways to upgrade your backyard to make it a more appealing and inviting space for entertaining or simply for relaxing in the fresh air. The following backyard improvements will provide you with enjoyment for years to come. They can be completed as a do-it-yourself project or subcontracted out to professionals.

Fire Pit

Fire pits are a simple addition to your home enjoyed by one person on a quiet night or several people during a party or after dinner. You can build your fire pit in a weekend day with materials from your local hardware store. You can construct a simple paver or concrete block fire pit as a circular or square design. Make sure to build the structure to accept the fire pit insert, and stabilize the structure by staggering each block layer.

Gather ideas about materials, mainly shape and color by browsing fire pit galleries online.

Garden Swing

This isn’t your kid’s swing. Garden swings or arbor swings are sturdier and larger to accommodate adults. While the project is more labor and time intensive than the fire pit project, it can still be completed in a weekend. The tools for this project are also more specialized but need not be purchased. You can often rent the tools you don’t own from a local home improvement center or equipment rental business.

Arbor swings usually start with square or round beams sunk in concrete. An auger can make digging the hole much easier. This is one of the tools you can rent if don’t own one. After sinking the upright supports, shad is created with the addition of a trellis. Make sure the concrete is dry and the beams are straight before building the trellis. The final step is hanging a swing with chains from the trellis. There are several videos and plans available online giving step-by-step instructions for the project. You might also be able to find plans at your local woodworking center.

Pub Shed

Who hasn’t dreamed of owning their own bar? Possibly, that fantasy involved a cozy little place where friends gather to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. The dream can come true without the headaches of real bar ownership. Build your own pub shed! This is the most complicated of the projects. The time and complexity will depend on how much of the actual shed construction you take on. Pre-assembled sheds are available if you want to save. Building a shed may take a weekend to a week to complete.

The time it takes to decorate your pub depends on how fancy your interior decoration. Your dream pub may continue to look like your neighbor’s garden shed from the outside. What makes them different is what’s on the inside. Your shed dimensions will dictate how intricate the interior may be. The smallest pub shed might resemble a small food stand, with a window and counter where friends can drink their favorite ale while the host plays bartender inside.

Looking for a more elaborate project? A larger shed might offer a bar area for standing and an open area with chairs or couches for people to sit on. Outside of physical dimensions, money and imagination are your only restraints. So, whether you fancy a traditional English pub or have always dreamed of owning a bar on the beach, create your shed to make your dream come true.

Store Bought or DIY

Whether you want to build your own fire pit, garden swing or pub shed, contract it out, or do something in between, decide how much effort and money you want to invest before you begin. Plans are often available online or at your local home improvement store. Garden shed plans are a good foundation for building your pub shed.

Author Bio

James Houser is former Navy and a father of two. He has a 4yr old son who is currently training to become a Jedi and a 21 month old daughter who is already prepared to rule the galaxy. When James isn’t building forts or being used as a climbing gym by his kids, he enjoys writing, gaming, and listening to the Truth & Justice Podcast. Follow him @sifuhouser.

Home Garage: Design Considerations

February 22, 2016adminhome addition, home improvement, home remodelingaddition, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Many people love to imagine how their dream home will look someday. The problem is that by “home” they usually mean “living room”, “kitchen” or “bedroom”. Surely enough, the garage is rarely a place where you bring your friends to, but after some time of navigating your car through a narrow space, not having enough room to put your stuff, you will realize that not giving the garage’s design the same attention you gave to the rest of the house was a big mistake. Let us make sure this never happens by looking at some of the things you can consider while designing the garage.

Put the Things into Perspective

Today, the vast majority of families own 1-2 cars. You have to bear in mind, though, that these numbers are not set in stone, and that you may, at some point, need room for a bike, or even a company vehicle. That does not mean that you will have to build some monstrous garage and satisfy all these needs at once. As for now, you want to make it practical, with enough room to move freely when you are inside, as well as some functional storage units, but you should always leave enough space for possible expansions.

Set up the Perfect Height

While designing a garage, people usually make plans how they can use the available floor space, but fail to notice the importance of the third dimension, which can easily turn out to be a big mistake. You might, for example, start attending truck and machinery auctions and find a vehicle or a piece of equipment which you cannot possibly fit into your garage due to its excessive height. Or you may notice that the storage space is running dangerously low and decide to make a hanging bike rack or install another shelf above the existing ones. If you make your garage just a little bit higher from the get-go, all of these things will be possible.

Choose the Right Doors and Windows

Putting the looks aside, the main thing you should consider before spending any money on doors and windows is the question of the available space. Among different types of garage doors, the canopy ones may be the simplest and the most common solution, but they do need the largest clearance, too. If you are short on space, you should probably opt for sectional or even roller doors. As for the windows, they should allow a lot of natural light and be placed high enough so they are immune to the prying eyes. For increased safety, window bars are always a welcomed addition.

Try Building the Attic

It may occur that, in spite all of your efforts and upgrades, your garage is still not able to fulfill its storage duties. In that case, you should probably opt for building the attic. Not only will you finally be able to move all the seasonal items out of sight, but you’ll also get a very appealing visual upgrade. Why would you have an ordinary garage, when you can turn it into something much livelier, and, if you want to, almost barn-like?

Make the Most out of the Interior

If you want to make room for more than one vehicle, you should avoid placing robust furniture pieces in your garage as much as possible. In addition to this, you can make few inbuilt closets while you are still building the garage, as they will prove to be much less of an obstacle than the regular pieces, and you will also get a safer place to store some of your more expensive tools.

Although it is far from being the most important part of your house, the garage has its own share or perks, and the more effort you put into its design, the list of amenities it has to offer will grow. Take some time to see what upgrades you can have, try using the vertical space as much as possible and your garage will become much more than a place where you just park your car.

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