Trying to work out the cost estimate of your Home Additions project? Before you do, you have to consider a lot of other factors. Each family and individual has different needs and desires from another. That is what makes every Remodeling and Additions project very different from any other of its kind.
One family, for example, might be looking to add a bedroom and bathroom for their children. Their current home is on a flat lot, with room to expand where they want to. Their home also has a simple roof plan that allows the physical connection of the addition to be completed without major structural changes to the existing structure. The plumbing system already has adequate capacity for the added bathroom and completing the connections for the drain and water supply aren't that difficult. Their municipality that governs construction permits and procedures is easy to work with, resulting in less energy and costs to their contractor. The finish level requirements for the addition are not extremely high - because it is a kids space and doesn't include lots of fancy, more expensive details.
On the contrary, a single executive may want to re-structure her New Orleans bathroom, but her condo association may have severe rules, regarding the alterations that can be made. The expenses and possible delays in getting the project approved and sanctioned may cost much more, irrespective of the additions the executive wants. A bathroom renovation is definitely costlier than the construction of a whole new basic kid's bedroom, because the additions may include fancy items such as tiles, countertop, a toilet, bath tub etc. All these fittings are costlier compared with the very basic demands of the first family.
Most contractors and builders will give you large ranges of Price Per Square Foot in order for you to think about the overall costs without going into too much detail. For our examples, the first family could be looking at a price per square foot in the range of $70/foot to $150/foot - all depending on the actual details of the project. Our young lady in the second example could be looking at a much higher cost per sqft. Bathrooms and kitchens are absolutely the most expensive rooms in a home! They contain the majority of a home's systems - electrical, plumbing, HVAC. And because they are either public or intimate spaces, people typically finish them at a much higher level than other rooms in their homes. With her extremely high-end tastes, her small bathroom remodel could cost between $200/ft to as much as $400/ft!
The best way to sum up the total pricing of your project is by calculating your own expectations. You first need to know what you desire out of the project, and then see if it fits your budget. Also, you could hire a professional Home Additions who has a sound reputation. We can help you get in contact with professionals in your New Orleans region so that you can choose the very best.
Understand your needs and communicate these to the contractor. Your contractor can only execute what you visualize and covey to him, so make sure that you can convey your desires and visions for your needs and home additions to him. Have a positive approach towards your project and be prepared for any minor delays and obstructions along the way. Be focuse and clear about your goals.
Here are some good questions to begin thinking about your Home Additions costs, and to prepare you for a conversation with your potential contractors:
1. How big will my Home Additions project be?
- think in terms of Square Feet
2. How much work needs to be done for the structural part of my project?
- Will excavation or fill be required? (Is your project going to be on a flat lot, or is there slope, drainage concerns, extensive trees to be moved or removed)
- Will the foundation require special considerations or be particularly difficult?
- If you are building a second story or adding on above a garage, is your existing floor ready to support another floor? How much demolition and re-construction will be needed below your planned addition in order to support it adequately? Will you need to construct a stair system or re-do an existing one?
3. How many windows, doors, or openings are you thinking about or planning on?
- Openings in the building envelope (the exterior walls and roof of your home) are important considerations for heating and cooling, orientation to sunlight and structural design.
4. Are there special considerations for the roof of my Home Addition?
- Do you have a flat roof or commercial style roof? Are there complicated angles that will need to be planned out and executed well?
- What style or level of shingles or tile do you want? Expensive clay tiles or molded rubber slate look-alikes? Simple 1 tab shingles? Somewhere in-between?
5. And probably most importantly, what level of interior finish out are you planning on?
- Expensive, custom door hardware or more standard production-level knobs and levers?
- Type and amount of flooring? Carpet and vinyl are typically on the low end, while solid wood, designer tiles, and marble will quickly add to your expenses
- How much custom cabinetry or carpentry are you thinking about? Built in bookcases or entertainment systems? Lots of stairs or railings? Will you be able to use production built cabinets or will you require more custom built cabinets for specific purposes?
- What kind of countertops and hard surface materials do you want? Laminate countertops are typically the least expensive options (although there are expensive laminate products available), while solid surface natural stone (granite, marble) or man-made solid surface countertops (quartz, aggregate, concrete, Corian) are more expensive.
- What about your lighting and electrical needs?
- Is it going to be difficult to properly heat and cool your new space? Will you need to add to your existing climate control system or install a new system?
- How much plumbing is involved? What style or kinds of fixtures do you want?
We connect home owners with reputed and reliable contractors. Our prescreened contractors are happy to be of service to you, and we would be glad to help you connect with these contractors. All you have to do is send us your details, and we will connect you with a Home Additions contractor. Our assistance is absolutely FREE OF CHARGE to you. All you've got to do is submit your information to us and wait for our New Orleans zone contractors to get in touch with you.
I would like to extend the back of my house by having a 2bd built upstairs and bedroom under them. i would like to know approximately how much am i looking at. possibly adding restroom upstairs?
Johanna G
I would like estimates regarding a planned two story addition with bathroom.
Kevin C