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Remodeling
Here's how we do it...
Remodeling holds many challenges that new construction does not. Cost factors increase, demolition and logistics are much greater. Engineering and point loads are more complicated. Designing and transferring spaces, to accommodate existing confinements. Performing and overcoming these challenges while at the same time working with in budget requirements. Requires one to have skills beyond normal construction.
The first step in consideration of remolding is to evaluate, the financial considerations, Increased property value verses the cost of the remodel. Potential sale of the current property and auction at a new home that meets the requirement that you are seeking. Step two is design, looking at the current property and understanding the load barring walls and load points taking into consideration foundations and other structural necessities. I have seen people drop thousands of dollars in this process only to come up with a design that will not work with the fundamental loads and point loads of there current home. Step three understanding the codes and what changes that will e mandatory to bring the current structure up to existing and changes in code that are on the board. Step four evaluating current mechanical components of the home and determining what will need to be upgraded, such as heating and air. Hot water. Gas lines and electrical feeds. As you can see there are many factors to consider.
Remodeling Project
The fact that I am a hands-on builder and perform many of the tasks myself makes my expertise in these areas very valuable I am going to document a current project with photographs and explanations of the photo graphs. This current home is about eighteen years old. It is two stories with an unfinished basement and garage under. The owner wanted to open up spaces and increase room sizes. He was aware that the home had some structural problems having done to with sheet rock cracking, windows that would not open, and doors that could not shut. After looking at the home I discovered that the rear portion of the home had settled about three to four inches. The fire place had no foundation under it. Beams were not placed under point loads. The home had major termite damage. The stone facade had been installed over an old stucco finish that allowed a field day for the termites. The lot itself is located on the river, and had a lot of fill dirt that had not been properly compacted. This problem extended to a depth of nine feet.
Our challenge, to stabilize the dwelling from additional settling, bring the home to current codes, eliminate the termite damage and make the dwelling less attractive to the little devils. We also wanted to open the home up and design it to take advantage of the beautiful view of the rolling hills and the river, as well as give it the ability to have outdoor entertainment and relaxation. We wanted to make it handicap accessible without taking away from the dwelling in any aesthetic way, add a master bedroom suite, that says “oh my gosh”, and do this in a very cost effective way.
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