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Our Approach to Additions and
Remodeling
 We
love to work on existing homes.
Remodeling offers the creative challenge
to find cost-effective ways to improve a
home’s appearance, comfort, floor plan,
energy performance and indoor air
quality while retaining the look and
feel of the original home. In addition,
there is a huge energy savings when we
improve existing homes rather than
build, tremendously reducing the overall
impact on the environment. We like to
think of it as recycling on a large
scale.
We start by analyzing the aspects of
each project to determine if remodeling
is appropriate from several points of
view. For instance: *Is the location of
the home one that the owners like and
want to stay in long term? * Is the
existing home in good structural and
mechanical condition? *What repairs
would be desirable during any major
renovation or addition? * Would the
owners like to keep the existing
appearance or alter it? *Will the end
result satisfy the practical needs and
be aesthetically satisfying? * Do the
numbers work? Will the value of the home
when completed justify the expense of
the proposed improvements? *What are the
owners’ goals in terms of improved
energy performance? *Do the owners want
to consider integrating renewable energy
sources into their home? *Are there any
indoor air-quality concerns?
Clarifying Objectives
Once we determine that it makes sense to
proceed, we work with the owners to
clarify exactly what they want to
accomplish with the project. What
problems with the existing situation
need to be eliminated, and what new
features do we want to incorporate into
the finished product?
Design and Budget Preparation
 We
do a good deal of design work in-house,
and we also work with various local
architects, engineers and other design
professionals as needed, depending on
the requirements of the project and the
preferences of the owners. Having
clarified objectives and drafted rough
plans, we begin budget work. Often,
there is a loop between budget and
design adjustments until the plan and
budget are finalized.
Contract
The next step is to put it all into
a contract and specifications so that
everyone starts with the same
expectations. At this stage, we can go
over the planned process to adjust any
details that have been overlooked prior
to the start of construction.
The secret to a smooth, on-budget and
on-time project is to minimize changes
once the project begins – this requires
careful planning and a thorough
contract. Nevertheless, changes
inevitably occur as work progresses and
new decisions are made, requiring budget
and construction adjustments.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at 828-265-4123,
email us, or use our
online request form. |
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