Trying to figure out how much your Home Additions project is going to cost? The truth is you need to figure out several other variables first. Remodeling and Additions projects are all unique - each family and person has their own tastes, expectations, desires that need to be considered going into a project.
A family may want to include a bedroom and bathroom for their children. With an existing Albuquerque area residence positioned on a flat lot that has enough space to accommodate the bedroom and bathroom required. Also, the family’s residence has a clear-cut roof plan permitting an addition without any constructional alterations necessary. The plumbing system is flexible enough to accommodate new plumbing pipes. The authorities that govern the sanctioning of plans and permits make it easy to obtain these, which makes it easer and less costly for the contractor. Then again, the materials necessary are not as high end and so are less expensive.
Then again, a young adult could be looking at modernizing an existing bathroom in his Albuquerque area condo, but the condo association has very strict rules about construction. Now it may require a lot of time for the contractor to obtain a clearance from the condo union, additional fees and other costs to get the project started.. Also there are the costs of the actual remodeling itself – bathroom fixtures, and fittings, additional accessories, tiles, countertops, cabinets, bath tubs etc. If he wants an ultra luxurious bathroom then the costs of the latest bathroom fittings such as the sunken tub, custom tiles etc add to the total cost of the project. Though there is no increase in the square footage in his condo, the cost of the tile, countertops and other plumbing fixtures add to the cost of the project. This project although smaller in square footage will actually end up costing more than the family's addition.
Reputed contractors and builders in the Albuquerque region will gladly offer you a broad range of Cost per Square Foot price ranges to help you understand the pricing without requiring constructional specifications. In our first example, the first family’s budget was possible in the range of between $70/foot and $150/foot. Our young bachelor, in the second case, was probably considering shelling out as much as $200 to $400 per square feet. As in most houses, bathrooms and kitchens are more expensive to install compared to the rest of the rooms. This is because kitchen and bathroom projects involve heavy electrical, plumbing, HVAC work. Also, there are no limitations as to the kind of fittings you could include in your bathroom. With the bachelor's very extravagant preferences, his small bathroom remodeling would cost him more than the family with minimal needs.
Wondering how to go about calculating the estimate for your project? You can do this the easy way by asking a Albuquerque area contractor. We can help you find a reputed Albuquerque contractor. A contractor will give you a broad outline of what your project should cost.
You have to be prepared, though, and learn to communicate your needs and desires as clearly as possible. Start with the basics of your project and then drill down all of the details. And don't get overwhelmed! Realize that this should all be fun and enjoyable! There will be problems, delays and headaches - it is construction after all - but the rewards for a successful Home Addition always outweigh the hardships and difficulties. Stick with your gameplan and be patient!
Here are some questions to start thinking about your Home Additions costs, and to prepare you for a conversation with potential contractors or builders:
1. How large will my Home Additions project be?
- plan in terms of Square Feet
2. How much work needs to be done to the structural part of my project?
- Will excavation or fill be needed? (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 difficult?
- If you want to build a second story or add on above a garage, is your existing floor and wall system 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 build a stair system or re-do an existing one?
3. How many doors, windows, or openings are you thinking about or planning on?
- Openings in your 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? More expensive clay tiles or molded rubber slate look-alikes? Simple one tab shingles? Somewhere in-between?
5. And finally, what level of "finish out" are you planning on?
- Expensive, special order door hardware or more standard production-level knobs, hinges and levers?
- Types and square footage of flooring? Carpet and vinyl are typically on the low end, while solid wood, designer tiles, and marble quickly add to your expenses.
- How much custom cabinetry or special 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 kinds of countertops and hard surface materials do you want to use? Laminate countertops typically are the least expensive option (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 lighting and electrical needs?
- Is it going to be a challenge to properly heat and cool your new space? Will you need to add to your existing HVAC system or install a completely new system?
- How much plumbing is involved? What style or kinds of fixtures do you want?
Now that you have your estimate figured out, you can begin looking for a contractor to help with your project. That’s where we come in. We can help you find reputed professional contractors in your area. Our services do not cost you a dime. They are absolutely FREE. All you have to do is submit your details to us and wait for our Albuquerque region partner contractor to get in touch with you to help you get your Home Additions project moving. You are obviously concerned about finding a consistently reliable, qualified and licensed contractor, and we can connect you with contractors who are prescreened by us.
I am looking to extend a portion of the back of my home. The existing home is 3 years old and is brick with a crawl space. The walls I want taken down are mostly windows. I am looking to add about 500 sq ft.
Matt C
I'd like to know how much this garage conversion would cost: Convert a garage into a recreation room flat roof 8 ft high walls 23x23 feet. insulated using with wall mounted electric heaters.
Don N