Are you looking to expand the liveable space in your home? Rather than going through the stressful process of buying a larger home and selling your current home, consider an addition! Whether you need a home office, another bathroom, or a guest house, an addition or ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a good choice. It expands your current home’s footprint and adds value to your home if you decide to sell it down the road. The first step is researching home addition contractors in Flagstaff, such as High Caliber Construction. A contractor can guide you through the design-build process from start to finish. Read on to learn about the home addition process.
Initial Planning and Design
Once you’ve picked a contractor, have an initial meeting where you share your vision and dreams for your addition or ADU. Discuss the main objective behind the addition. Do you want an additional bedroom because your kids are currently sharing a room? Do you need an ADU because your mother-in-law is moving in? Do you need a home office detached from the house so you can work from home without distractions? Working through these questions and objectives with the contractor can help them develop a plan and a budget for your project. A contractor can let you know what is and what is not feasible and share cost estimates and a general idea of a construction timeline with you. Keep in mind that initial budget estimates are subject to change. During construction, issues can arise, such as increasing material costs that can change the budget. A good contractor will help you understand these allowances so there won’t be any big financial surprises. After the initial meeting, your contractor will create a set of initial drawings and plans and begin the permitting process.
Accounting For Local Building Regulations
You own the home, so you can add on whatever you like, right? Wrong! Home additions and ADUs always require permits. You can’t simply add on to your home without getting permission and obtaining the necessary permits. While this may seem overwhelming, your contractor will handle everything for you. They will communicate with the city of Flagstaff and make sure the addition or ADU is within code and approved for construction. One essential code requirement to consider when constructing an addition or an ADU is setback, which means how far away the dwelling is from the road. Each municipality has its own requirements on setback distances so your contractor will have to work within those limits. Additional code requirements exist if you reside within a designated historic area in Flagstaff. The code has specific requirements about what you can do to the exterior of your property in order to maintain the original historical look and feel. Another rule in the historic areas is that an addition cannot expand the floor area by more than 10%, and an ADU cannot be more than 10% of the current building’s footprint. Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t worry, your contractor will handle all code requirements and ensure you understand what is allowed and what is not allowed when it comes to your addition.
Budgeting for Success
When it comes to budgeting for an addition or ADU, there are many factors to keep in mind. Typical costs include materials, labor, and finishing touches. It is also important to set aside a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Your contractor will do their best to accurately estimate construction costs, but sometimes, unavoidable issues arise and expenses change.
Design and Aesthetic Tips
At High Caliber Construction, we bring a unique skill set to our clients because we are both designers and builders. We view your project from a design lens and a construction lens. On the design side, the key to an aesthetic addition is maintaining your home’s architectural consistency and visual flow. The goal is for passersby to not even realize the addition or ADU was constructed at a separate time. Many homeowners also choose to make sustainable design choices. Flagstaff buildings are often constructed with sustainability in mind. Lastly, Flagstaff is one of the most beautiful places in the country! Make sure you are taking advantage of this beauty by including strategically placed windows and outdoor access points within the addition.
Managing Construction Timeline
Once the drawings are stamped and permits are obtained, it’s time to break ground! Remember that the initial planning process can be somewhat lengthy depending on permitting and how long it takes to get approval. Once construction begins, there might be delays due to weather, especially if you are building during the snowy winter! As a homeowner, the best thing you can do is stay flexible and don’t expect construction to be done on a specific, non-changing date.
Choosing Home Addition Contractors in Flagstaff
There are many different home addition contractors in Flagstaff, so how do you know which one is right for your project? First, pick a contractor like High Caliber Construction, which is a design-build firm. Keeping everything within one company will help save time and overall costs. Next, do your research by reading online reviews and talking with former clients. Finally, interview the companies you are interested in working with. Ask them questions about timelines, subcontractor use, and about past projects similar to yours. Look out for red flags such as vague estimates, lack of proper licensing or insurance, and not being able to provide you with pictures and details from past projects.
Adding on to your home is an exciting way to transform your current property into your dream home while adding significant resale value. The key to turning your vision into a reality is working with an expert contractor that you can trust. At High Caliber Construction, we strive to provide all of our clients with top-notch service. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your home addition.
