Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What Changes Will Need To Be Made To My Home?  Home additions and remodels are individual to each person and family's needs.  Changes are not usually required unless there is a code violation, so the good news is that you get to decide what changes are right for you and your family!  Because additions involve considerable investment of time and money, they are usually recommended for families that outgrow their existing space.  PRO-TIP:  If unsure about needing an addition, consult with a builder or interior designer before opting for an addition.  Remodels are usually much less costly and a professional can provide ideas on how to re-arrange and re-purpose spaces within the existing footprint of the home for a fraction of the cost of a new addition.   
   
2. What is the best investment I should make if I want to sell my home?   In most cases, kitchens and bathrooms hold high value for current owners and potential buyers alike. A lot of people with very dated rooms invest in full remodels, but that is not always necessary. Perhaps the the entire kitchen does not need to be remodeled but rather change out your appliances, countertops and backsplash. The same occurs for bathrooms.  Especially if your tile and fixtures are neutral in color, consider changing out hardward and flooring instead of an entire remodel. On the exterior of your home, carefully consider the curb appeal.  Its amazing what a few flowering plants can do.  PRO TIP:  Instead of all new landscaping, invest in beautiful pots and plants because they can go with you when you move!
3. How Much Will An Addition Cost?  According to Forbes Home the construction of new spaces costs between $21,000 and $73,500, or an average of $46,000, with estimates ranging from $80 to $200 per square foot.  Costs will vary greatly based on the size of the room, purpose of the space, and materials you want to use.  For example, a kitchen or bathroom will require all new plumbing and therefor greater cost than open playroom.  Also, repurposing an existing porch area with existing floor and roof will be much less costly than a full addition that needs to be built from the ground up.  Estimates for additions will generally include architectural drawings, permits, the building structure (walls, roof, floors, windows, doors, paint), heating and cooling, and the corresponding city inspections to ensure all minimum building standards are met.  I generally does not include any impact fees or custom upgrades, such as crown molding, higher grade materials or smart-home features.  PRO-TIP:  Be sure to contact your local Development Services office to determine the cost of impact fees before signing a contract and ordering architectural drawings.  Just one extra square foot can be the difference between paying nothing and thousands of dollars in impact fees or revisions from the architect. 
4. Can I Remain In My Home During Construction? In most cases, your builder will section off the construction area and any access to that area allowing you to continue to use your homewhile construction takes place.  PRO-TIP:  Set up alternative spaces with to address your daily needs during construction so that your home life is minimally impacted.  For example, if remodeling your kitchen, move the refrigerator and microwave to another room in the house so they can still be used. An electric table top stove can be purchased for under $30.  By temporarily repurposing another space in your home, you could save a lot of money on eating out during construction.     
5. How Do I Find The Right Team For My Home Addition or Remodel?  Consider word of mouth or asking on local neighborhood discussion groups for referrals.  They will gladly share their experiences, good and bad.  We gerenerally recommend steering away from referral sources that charge businesses for their referrals, like Angie's List and Home Builder.  Remember, they are paying for advertisement and that cost will be passed onto you.   Likewise, big box stores usually contract with their own sub-contractors and will pass their referral markup onto you.  PRO-TIP:  Once you have identified a potential team, verify the builder you are hiring is licensed and insured.  Ask for a copy of their license and insurance. You would never want a worker to make a claim against the liability insurance on your home.
6. Do I need a permit to build a home addition?  Yes, for home additions in the Tampa Bay area, you will most likely need a permit.  Other remodeling projects may not require a permit, such as painting, flooring upgrades or a tile backsplash.  PRO-TIP:  When establishing a permit, only include the areas required by law in the permit, even if you are considering other upgrades, since the cost of the project may also impact your homes valuation, and in turn your future property taxes.
7. How Do I Ensure the Builder will Do a Good Job?  There is no insurance the builder you pick will do a good job, but there are precautions you can take.  By ensuring you have contracted a licensed builder and gone through the permit process, any work completed will need to pass inspection by the city/county inspector.  PRO-TIP:  We can't stress enough the importance of maintaining clear and frequent communication with your building contractor.  Most often, differences are simply a result of miscommunication.  Visit the worksite frequently and ask questions of anything seems off or not to your liking, especially if it the work is not yet completed.  You don't have to be an expert, but you know what you like and don't like.  It is easier to rectify and make corrections during installation than after the work has been completed. For example, if a color did not turn out how you expected, speak up!  It is easier to color one wall over than the repainting the whole house or living with a decision your already regret.
8. Do I need to hire a Building Contractor or a General Contractor for my project?  In Florida, General Contractors are required to build any structures over three stories high, whereas Building Contractors are only certified to build structures up to three stories.  Florida Gold Coast Schools notes "that doesn’t mean that a Building Contractor is less qualified to do a project... a Building Contractor CAN do renovation and remodel work on buildings that are greater than 4 stories so long as they aren’t altering the structural aspect of the building."  PRO-TIP:  Many websites may be confusing as they reference the need for a General Contractor.  It may be harder and more costly to find a General Contractor in Florida, so be sure to ask for Building Contractors as well, which could save you hundreds on your project.