Builders and contractors generally build with general appeal in mind. Remodels or home additions, however, should not be generic, but incorporate specifics ideas and desires of the home owner. There can be some confusion in this area. Home owners are not contractors and therefore probably do not know what features and construction is possible. A good contractor will be able to suggest several options, but there will be many more that may not be mentioned.
Remodeling the existing interior of a home, whether it is the finishing of a basement, installation of a theater room or installing a wet bar and game room, can be much more challenging and costly than building a whole new addition. With a remodel, the contractor needs to work with the existing architectural style and crucial supporting members of the building framework.
Limitations such as these will help to keep the cost of a remodel at reasonable expectations. Anytime the home owner insists on changes affecting the structural integrity of the home, such as moving or eliminating a load bearing wall, the costs can increase by thousands upon thousands of dollars and add an extensive amount of time to the estimated completion date. Any changes done to the structural support of the home should be evaluated by an engineer before any work is performed. Some contractors will have the engineering expertise to properly examine this scenario. Many contractors do not, so it is best clarify.
The basic finishing of a basement will most likely be the most inexpensive remodel a home owner can have done. Many home owners of the male persuasion, however, may want a little more than just standard drywall, paint and carpeting. Basements are actually a perfect area for what has been deemed a "man cave". Fortunately these areas usually take the form of a home theater room to be enjoyed by the entire family.
Aside from having a good quality home theater surround sound system, it is important for the space to be as "dimensionally balanced" as possible. Any odd shaped room or an L-shaped room can pose certain challenges. Any flat and reflective surfaces with regards to sound can create some undesirable reverberation. Having sound absorbing material on the ceiling, walls and floor can go a long way in creating that movie theater experience.
An additional option to the basic panorama arrangement of sofas and chair is to have the contractor build a raked seating area. Having the seating elevated on a series of stepped levels may not be possible, depending on the height of the ceiling in the basement. Raking the seating area will of course add expense to the project.
Other niceties a home owner may consider are installing a bar or creating a game room area providing the basement is expansive enough. Keep in mind that if there is no provision for plumbing in the basement, adding just a simple sink to wash bar glasses can be a surprisingly pricey addition. Adding a dumb waiter may be an old-fashioned possibility fix and may not be as expensive as running new plumbing throughout the basement.
| For additional information on the topic of kitchen and bath remodels, as well as home additions visit http://www.tituscontracting.com. |
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