So you want to add a new deck, porch, kitchen or room to your home or even give it a full makeover. While you might have some ideas or are just simply mulling it over, it is never too early to prepare for the big day – especially since your big day will require several months to a year to realize.
“A project development process where the design comes together and material selections are made is vitally important in the overall success of the project,” said Phil Bennett, owner of Real Remodels in Mount Pleasant. “The design process can be a fun and amazing experience where the final design can be vastly different from the initial concept.”
Whole Home Remodeling
Suppose your two-story home has reached the point of needing a complete makeover. You initially envision all new flooring, updated bathrooms eliminating the original builder grade features, a new kitchen with a better workflow, shiplap walls and a fireplace for the living room and an open deck with stainless-steel cable railings that will add charm and livability to the exterior.
After doing some initial research and comparing costs, you determine that you can have it all done within your budget. But during the project development process by a professional remodeler, you discover your home’s wiring and plumbing need to be updated by upgrading the electric service panel and replacing old polybutylene pipes. Your HVAC system may be 20-plus years old and in need of upgrading to a more efficient unit.
A very slow, hidden pipe leak on the second level has also compromised the integrity of the surrounding room structure. Additionally, one bathroom now has rotten framing around the tub that could collapse through the floor at any moment.
Before your remodeler proposes even one idea for a makeover, they will almost certainly recommend putting all structural and code concerns in order.
“Each year we handle about 100 renovations, both large and small,” Bennett said. “Most projects we do because the clients want their home to be updated in current trends; however, a handful of those are in need of major structural repairs.”
A professional remodeler can help you reduce the nearly limitless options to a few and spot potential pitfalls in helping you realize your vision.
“When you want a whole-home makeover, you have to take the entire structure into account,” said Andrea Dumais, design and office assistant with Classic Remodeling & Construction on Johns Island. “And you have to know at the beginning that all the different communities in the Lowcountry – such as Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and Mount Pleasant – have different rules for any renovation project.”
For instance, a whole-home makeover requires measuring the entire home. Builders must consider the different construction conditions of each area, which vary from room to room. Specific work permits must be secured. Plumbing and electrical have to be done in a way to flow together seamlessly throughout each area, since one section of a home usually affects another.
“Structure damage is the biggest concern,” Dumais said. “We’ve found a decent amount of termite damage on past projects. And you never know what you’re going to find behind walls. All this could affect your planning, timelines and price.”
Which is why, as Dumais and Bennett said, peace of mind is best secured up front with a builder you trust.
“The thought of taking on a large project like building a custom home or addition can seem daunting for some clients,” said Hunter Baker, owner of Hunter Baker Homes and Renovations in Mount Pleasant. “So we guide clients through the design and construction process from start to finish as efficiently as possible. Each of my high-end projects is assigned a designer to help assist them with their selections.”
Adding a Room or Feature
Suppose you have a 60-year-old home with the traditional two-car garage that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s and want to add a new room or area to increase your home’s value and create more space for your needs.
Should you pick an available section of property for the expansion or add more space to the attic or an upper room? Or simply enclose a patio or garage or add a deck or porch? Do you use brick, stone, wood or panel siding? Which building materials will make the addition look like it’s always been part of the house?
Your choice could make the difference between unnecessary expenses and headaches and something that brings you all-around joy.
“People move into homes and want to update to create a better lifestyle,” Bennett said. “They like outdoor decks and kitchens because it expands their living space, and we can help them figure out the best option for a design that suits their property.”
For instance, one advantage to enclosing a carport or garage is a ready-made foundation and one permanent wall already in place. However, you will have to either install a makeshift car cover area or let your vehicles simply brave the elements.
But a new room will likely outweigh this negligible cost, especially since your home’s value will continue to appreciate. If you’re looking for extra room for a home office, unused or storage space over a garage could be the best answer. Remaking an attic might be good for a son or daughter, but it could also create a cozy retreat for guests.
Of course, if all you want is to bring more of the outside inside, a simple porch or patio is a popular option.
“The three things we get asked to do the most are adding on screen porches, replacing existing windows with ones that are bigger and conform to hurricane regulations and all-weather rooms,” Dumais said. “And during all construction, we always try to make sure you have access to anything you need, especially if the renovation is in the kitchen, so that you don’t have to worry about eating out for days at a time.”
Hiring the Right Builder
In any case, your builder or remodeler can guide you through every step.
“Having someone with experience in design, an understanding of the construction process and knowledge of preferred vendors and products helps ease client stress when making decisions for their project,” Baker said. “All of our projects are new construction, adding square footage, updating an older space or adding an exterior living/entertaining area.”
Both Baker and Bennett indicated that there is one other consideration: When choosing a professional, make sure that the contractor is actually going to be on the job, with a fixed price bid, and will execute the job based on an agreed plan.
“For any home renovation, always know that you will be working with the builder, not being pawned off to a construction lead whom you have not met,” Baker said. “In my case, I am on site and oversee each project we do.”
Also don’t forget that renovating your home means there will be some disruption to your daily life for several weeks or even months. At the end of the makeover you originally envisioned, will that disruption be part of a long-lasting happy memory, or something you never want to experience again?
“Remodeling all or even a part of a home isn’t something to be taken lightly, and shouldn’t be taken on as a do-it-yourself project,” Bennett said. “And besides delivering high quality professional services on time with long-term value, we are dedicated to delivering whatever you dream.”
By L. C. Leach III
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