Room Addition Costs
There are a lot of different ways to determine how much does a room addition cost. Certain factors are going to influence the overall cost of your room addition. Prices will definitely vary depending on the part of the country that you live in. They will also be different depending on whether you live in the city or in the suburbs.
The region that you live in will influence the cost of your room addition. Certain areas have an easier time supplying builders and contractors with materials. In areas where there is a lot of competition in the industry, supplies are more reasonably priced. This savings is often passed onto the customer. In areas, where supplies are harder to come by, prices may be more expensive. This is a crucial consideration for your remodeling budget.
Another factor that influences the price for your room addition is the space you are trying to accommodate. Some homeowners will be converting existing space in their home to a new room. Others will be actually building an entirely new room onto the home. This choice is typically more expensive for customers. The size of the room that you want is another factor to consider. In general, the larger the room the more you are going to pay for it.
The type of room that you are building or remodeling will play a role in the price as well. The average bathroom addition cost in the Chicagoland area ranges from $38,000-75,000 for 2011. Kitchen addition cost can range from $58,000-111,000. Here you must think about the access to this room, cost of features, and the cost of fixtures.
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
A backsplash is a covering placed over the wall behind a sink, a stove or cook top, or any other area of a kitchen where there is a potential for splashing of water or food on the wall. Backsplashes can be a simple piece of plastic attached to the wall to protect the paint or wallpaper. Backsplashes can also be highly decorative and create a focal point in a remodeled kitchen.
The size of a backsplash might be determined by the size of the fixture or appliance it will be placed behind. Alternately, you might choose to install a backsplash behind an entire counter or workspace. The backsplash might be a pre-fabricated item that you decide to hang on the wall, or it might be made of decorative ceramic tile.
Ceramic tile is available is a huge variety of colors, finishes, sizes and shapes. These can be installed in a simple solid color or installed in geometric or decorative designs. You can create a mosaic or you can install hand-painted tile.
Visiting our showroom will help you make choices of finish, tile size, tile shape, and combinations of colors, shapes and designs. At our showroom you will find displays of tile styles and colors with complimentary pieces and shapes to help you create the design you want. Our designers can also help you select the trim and design components you want to use to create an attractive backsplash.
If your kitchen design is “rustic,” you might choose a ceramic tile with a matte or dull finish in a brick or stone design. A more traditional kitchen might need only simple single-color tile and edging. A modern kitchen might be right for something more creative and elaborate.
The size of the backsplash area will also determine how far you can go in being creative or in adding decorative interest. A small backsplash will need smaller design elements. A large backsplash area, on the other hand, might be made into the focal point of your kitchen design with a mosaic or with hand-painted tiles.
If you decide to incorporate a backsplash into your kitchen remodel design, you will have almost complete freedom in choosing the material – tile, metal, wallpaper – for your backsplash and in deciding how elaborate the design of the finished area will be. The primary purpose of the backsplash is to provide a surface that is easy to clean and that will not be stained easily. Beyond that functionality, your creativity and imagination is the only limit on what you can do.
Basement Finishing Ideas
If you have decided to finish or remodel your basement, you are in for a treat. Basement remodeling offers almost unlimited opportunity to add living space for your family. It will also increase the value of your home when you sell it. Finding basement remodeling ideas can be fairly easy using magazines and the internet.
Before you go too far designing your basement remodel, there are a few very important things you will need to do.
- Check for radon gas.
- Check for dampness, leaks, mold or fungus and correct those problems.
- Seal any cracks in the floor and/or the walls.
- It is a good idea to apply a sealant to the concrete or other building material used to construct your basement.
The next step is to begin to design your basement remodel. It can save a lot of time and a number of headaches if you begin your design by sketching out the floor space in your basement. Next, mark your sketch to show important things you will need to consider in your design
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- Show where any windows are located
- Indicate an exterior door
- Indicate the point(s) of access from the main floor
- Locate and indicate on your drawing, the location of your fuse box or circuit breaker box, shut-off valves for water, gas, etc. (You will need to design around these items to keep them accessible.)
- Indicate the location of any plumbing access pipes
- Indicate the location of appliances – furnace, heat pump, water heater, washer and dryer, etc.
- Indicate the location of any support poles or beams
- If ducts for heat and air have already been installed, you might want to include a reminder of the location of any ducts or duct work you will need to accommodate when you install a ceiling.
Now you are ready to use the basement remodeling ideas you have seen and create the design for your remodeled basement. Here are a few money-saving, labor-saving, and time-saving tips for your design:
- Place any new bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, etc that will use water, as close as possible to existing plumbing. You might save a bundle by being able to connect with existing main lines.
- Decide if you need a second point of access from the first floor to the basement. For example, if you will use part of the basement as an in-law suite or a teen suite or a guest room, you might want a second (more private) stairway.
- Determine how you will work around and still provide access to shut-off valves, circuit breaker boxes, etc.
- Find a creative way to work with support poles or beams. Will you enclose them in a wall? Will you cover them with a fiberglass column? Will you just build a box around them?
- Where are the most logical places to create storage? It probably makes sense, for example not to use the limited space near windows for storage.
- Decide where you will construct walls and whether interior walls should be insulated or covered with sound board to reduce noise in other parts of the basement.
Some of the most popular uses for finished basement space are:
- Play room for children
- Basement Home office space
- Teen or In-Law suite
- Guest Bedroom
- Basement Home Theater
- Basement Game room
- Computer or homework room
- Hobby or craft room
- Carpentry workshop
- Storage.
If you gather your basement remodeling ideas and plan carefully, you can finish your basement and provide a large amount of additional living space for your family. Attending to these considerations for safety and careful planning will result in a smooth remodeling project that can be done either all at once or in stages as you have the money to finish it.
You will probably find more basement remodeling ideas than you can possibly use, but with careful planning and a design that accommodates appliances and other areas that must be accessible, you can finish or remodel your basement with very few headaches. In fact, you will probably have a lot of fun.
Make The Most Of Your Basement
The basement of many homes is neglected, left undecorated and kept unlivable. If you are one of these people that has held off working on your basement finishing, I suggest you think again. Consider the incredible potential that lies just below the main floor of your home. Think not only about the square footage that making your finished basement functional would add to your family's space, but think too about all of the great ways you could put that space to use.
Think about all of the things that have been added to the collections and treasures of everyone in your family. In no time a home can go from being barely filled to becoming overfilled. The extra set of golf clubs or fishing rods, you know, just in case. The boxes and crates filled with craft supplies from the latest and greatest sales. The stuffed animals that your now teenaged children don't want to live without. I'd like to suggest to you that one of the biggest and best reasons to finish the basement of your home is to make space for storage. Devote an entire section or room in your basement to hold the treasures of your family in an organized way.
Besides providing space for organization and storage, your basement can be a great place to give each member of your family a little nook of their own. Do you love to collect articles and momentos from your favorite sporting events and teams? If so, make a space in your basement to display all the things you're proud of. Or, better yet, let the things you've collected adorn the walls of a room and then fill it with exercise equipment to get you in shape as well. If your dining room table has been taking over by your wife's latest sewing or scrapbooking project, give her the craft room of her dreams in your basement finishing project. Finish off a room just for her. Build shelves and cabinets to hold all of her things and she will love you like never before. You will get the dining room table back and your wife will get a sacred space all for herself.
Your kids will love having part of the finished basement to play in as well. There is nothing quite like having room for a toy closet or a carpeted play area. Finishing off a play space for your children will give them hours of endless entertainment and give you hours of peace and quiet someplace else.
You'll never know all the ways that making your basement a livable space will make your life better. Take your family out to dinner and announce the start of the project that everyone will love. They will be excited to participate in basement finishing because they know how fun a new space will be.
Kitchen and Bath Safety Audit Makes Rooms Child-Friendly
If you're a parent, you've already thought about minimizing or eliminating safety hazards in your bathroom and kitchen. With new, recently developed products, you can easily remove much of the risk. Start by taking a fresh look at your home while conducting a safety audit. Does your bathroom and kitchen have the following safety features?
Bathrooms
- slip-resistant strips in the tub and nearby to minimize the risk of slipping and falling
- grab bars in tubs and showers
- towels bars/rings close to the tub or shower
- impact-resistant safety-glass or plastic tub/shower enclosure
- shatter-resistant tub faucets that don't have sharp edges
- recessed soap dishes (those that stick out from the wall can cause injury if a person falls against them)
- the new soft bathtub, which is made of impact-absorbing materials to reduce the risk of injury for young and old alike
- non-slip tile to reduce the risk of falling on a wet surface
- toilet latches to prevent children from opening the lid
- electrical outlets designed to automatically cut off power in the presence of water contact or faulty circuitry
- door hardware that can be unlocked from either side
- temperature-controlled faucets to avoid serious skin burns (typical faucets can produce water that is more than 120 degrees F, which can scald a child's tender skin).
Kitchens
- a stove with difficult-to-reach top controls
- appliances, sharp knives and other sharp objects kept out of sight and reach in appliance garages, in-drawer knife blocks, and built-in storage units
- slip/impact resistant flooring to reduce injuries and lessen broken ceramic and glass
- cabinet latches to keep children away from dangerous products
From Exterior Porch to Interior Space
If you need additional living space and your home has a porch, you’re in luck! Enclosing that porch could be a simple, cost-effective way to gain the space you want. You can gain space without eliminating the yard and often, a portion of the structural work is already in place. Be sure that it will not detract from the style of your home. Enclosing a porch on some bungalows or Victorians could be a mistake if it destroys much of the home’s sought-after charm.
Side porches can be easily converted into home offices, playrooms, or den/family rooms. Rear porches are ideal for adding space to extend your kitchen. With energy efficient windows, any porch can be converted into a light-filled “Florida” room that’s enclosed for year-round enjoyment. Give us a call to talk about the work needed. The porch’s location, its wall and floor materials, and the condition of the existing foundation will influence the ease or difficulty of modifying a porch.
Your work may include:
Insulating walls and ceilings. How much and the type of insulation used depends in part on the existing structure and the room’s function.
Adding or replacing windows with energy-efficient models. A professional can determine if window frames can be salvaged to reduce replacement costs. Remember to match or complement your home’s existing window styles.
Plumbing. The proximity of the room to existing plumbing will greatly impact the difficulty and cost of installing plumbing.
Electrical wiring and fixtures. Build in all immediate and future electrical lines from the outset to avoid costly revisions later.
Drywall, flooring, and millwork.
Details such as door and window trim, chair railings, and moldings can make the difference between a room that looks finished—or one that simply looks like an enclosed porch.
An important consideration is the heating and cooling system. While some homes may have systems that can accommodate additional rooms others may need a supplement. Baseboard heating is an option. However, although it is easy to install, this type of heating is expensive to operate. Consider, also, a wood-burning stove. New models are efficient, attractive, and can heat a large room easily. We can help you decide how best to supply heating and cooling to your new space.
If you have a home with a porch and need additional space, you have all the ingredients you need to create a beautiful new room. What’s keeping you from getting started?
Unfinished Attics are Remodeling Opportunities!
Need more living space or storage room? If the answer is yes, look up! If you have an unfinished attic, your problem may be well on the way to being solved. Attic space already has a floor, walls, and roof, so it is an opportunity waiting to be used.
To be a good candidate for remodeling, attic space needs three important ingredients:
- Appropriate headroom
- Easy access
- Adequate floor joist support
Headroom is of primary importance. Building codes require at least 7 ½ feet of headroom between the peak of the roof and the floor. If you don’t have this space, you can also raise the roof (which is a project for an entirely different column – and budget.)
Another important factor is how the attic space can be accessed. Will you have to carve the space for a stairway from an existing room? Or might your best choice be a pull-down staircase? (Building codes don’t allow the use of a pull-down stair for main access) Think about the traffic patterns that will develop to and from the converted attic space.
One of the most important aspects of using your attic is the strength of the floor joists. Most ceilings are not designed with joists that can withstand the weight that a floor must handle. This means that the ceiling joists must be reinforced, which could be a complex process.
Before you begin, let’s talk about the options. While you might be able to tackle some remodeling projects yourself, attic remodeling requires greater expertise. An attic conversion can provide your home with a uniquely designed space to serve a range of functions – an extra bedroom/bath suite, guest room, office, family room, exercise room, or hobby room. Look up and you’ll never look back!
Basement Finishing Ideas
Looking for space to put an exercise room, entertainment center or playroom? Go underground! If your home has an unfinished basement, remodeling might be a great way to transform this commonly under-used space.
When considering a basement remodeling, start by making a floor plan. As you do, be sure to mark the location of your furnace, washer and dryer, and any other large appliances. Take notes on:
- access to the basement from upstairs and outside
- where plumbing is already located if you want an additional bathroom
- where vertical support columns are located
- location of windows and doors
- floor, ceiling, wall materials
With constant contact with the earth, basements are vulnerable to dampness, making basement remodeling a bit more complex than first meets the eye. We’ll help you take appropriate measures to ensure a room free from moisture.
Most basements have low ceilings and few windows. But this doesn’t have to limit you. There are many creative ways to make your basement light and airy. Talk to us about the variety of wall and ceiling lighting options available. Synergy Builders will help you make sure that appropriate electrical lines and outlets are provided from the beginning.
Here are some tricks-of-the-trade in making your underground space first class:
- Stay away from dark wood paneling and instead consider drywall painted in light tones to make the room brighter. Semi-gloss paint will gently reflect even more light into the room.
- Open up the visual space. Double doors—even glass double interior doors—take away the typical cubicle look. Or, how about a rounded archway or pass-through area from one room into another.
- Check to see if existing windows can be enlarged. Or, consider installing a small boxed window for a mini-garden to grow herbs or start plant seedlings. This will greatly increase the amount of light coming into the basement and provide a view to the great outdoors.
- Built-in bookcases and entertainment units add a richness and depth to a room. Light them with either interior lights or from the top to cast light upwards.
- Disguise vertical support beams, and horizontal ceiling pipes or floor joists by boxing them in. Or, you might decide to actually use pipes and beams as interesting accents by painting them with bold colors or with subtle earth tones.
An unfinished basement is much like a diamond in the rough—unexplored and awaiting your discovery! If you have any questions about basement finishing, don't hesitate to talk to one of our designers at our Synergy Builders showroom.
Bathroom Ideas – Consider These 6 Bathroom Design Ideas
Looking for bathroom ideas? You may be researching bathroom design ideas for remodeling an existing bathroom or you may be looking for bathroom ideas for building a new one.
The bathroom design ideas that you use can have a dramatic impact on the appearance and functionality of your bathroom. The bathroom is a room that will be visited often every day and you want this space to be comfortable, usable, appealing and safe to be in while fitting into the overall style and decor of your home.
Here are bathroom ideas to consider as you are planning this important room:
1 - Add a Mirror
Mirrors on the bathroom walls will give the appearance of windows being there, will reflect light and extend the room. Mirrors can create a sense of openness, making any bathroom appear larger than it really is. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was located above the vanity or sink, however, you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom if you want.
2 - Create Ample Bathroom Storage
You cannot have too much storage space in a bathroom. Use wall space wisely with shelves or built-in cabinets, vanities or cabinets over the commode. Corner shelves are good bathroom ideas choices if you have limited space. Install corner shelves to display ceramics, shampoos, soaps, bath oils and candles. Display corner shelves can be found that are decorative and allow you to use otherwise wasted space.
3 - Use Wicker Baskets
Fill wicker baskets with soaps, candles, sponges, bubble baths, and loofahs. You can roll some of your colorful towels and place them in inexpensive wicker baskets around the bathroom. Keep some of the large wicker storage baskets with towels near the tub and shower within easy reach.
4 - Carefully Select the Floor Material
Besides the appearance, the bathroom floor should be safe to walk on and water resistant. Rubber flooring, ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum floors are good choices since these floor materials can be easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on.
If you will use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tile on your floor, use the kind that has a non-slip finish. Be careful using rugs that can slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor. Use rugs that have a rubber backing or add rubber backing strips to the rugs.
5 - Plan the Lighting Carefully
Bathroom ideas and general lighting can be ceiling lights, wall fixtures or track lighting. Having adequate general lighting means there is enough light for someone to walk safely through the bathroom. This overall light will distribute itself throughout the entire space, however, general lighting is not sufficient for grooming functions.
Task lighting provides light to a specific area where shaving, putting on makeup, or other types of grooming take place. Task lighting should be adjustable by using dimmers or controls, and it is best to aim this type of lighting at an angle to avoid hot spots or shadows.
The use of natural light can be included in your bathroom ideas by having a window, a wall skylight or a roof skylight to bring in natural light. Having a skylight that can be opened is great because it reduces moisture buildup. Remember that using a combination of different types of bathroom light fixtures carefully placed may give your bathroom the best results.
6 - Plan for Moisture Control
Bathroom ideas should plan for humidity and odors in the room. Use a power ventilator large enough to do the job. Lingering moisture could become a problem if you do not have properly-sized ventilation fan to get rid of moisture and odors. Ventilation fans are sized by the cubic feet of air they move in one minute (cfm).
A good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour means that the bathroom will have the moist air removed in 7 or 8 minutes. If you take the length, width and ceiling height of your bathroom and multiply these three numbers, you will have the cubic feet of space for your bathroom.
For example, a bathroom that is 5 feet by 8 feet with an 8 foot high ceiling will have 320 cubic feet of space (5 times 8 times 8 equals 320). A 40 cfm (cubic feet per minute) fan will move the air from inside this bathroom to the outdoors in about 8 minutes (320 divided by 40).
Enjoy gathering bathroom remodeling ideas and the planning process, learn as much as you can and use your imagination as you collect and implement your bathroom ideas. Having a comfortable, attractive and functional bathroom that reflects your personal style means you will have a special place to enjoy for many years to come.
7 Ways to Add Living Space Without a Room Addition
If you feel that your home is not using its space properly to maximize the living space, you are not alone. Many homes are poorly designed and are not uniquely tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle, but there are 7 ways that give your home more space visually without having to extend your home through a room addition.
Combine your dining areas. Multiple dining areas can be combined into a single space that is separate enough from the kitchen to feel give a special feel. Do this by remodeling the small breakfast nook and the current dining area into one.
Utilize corner windows. By utilizing corner windows you can capture spectacular views of the surrounding area. With additional sunlight and a brighter living space, your home will look and feel much bigger than before. To finish it off, add drapes to the windows to enhance the ambiance of the space.
Create continuality in the flooring surface. Flooring materials should be used wisely inside your home because if you switch up too many times, you can chop up the home in a visual way. The best option is to stick to two to three surfaces throughout the home.
Add low walls. Low walls can define a living space by opening it up. This can sometimes be one of the most effective ways to open up space in your home.
Lower your window sills. Another great idea is to lower your window sills to gain more light into the room. Before doing so you may have to check the local codes to find out the maximum height at which tempered glass is required.
Use open stairs. Open stairs will not only give your home a new and aesthetically beautiful feel but they will also open up the view. Use open stairs when you can throughout your home.
Clear up the halls. Hallways utilize a great amount of living space, especially in a smaller home. A quick room remodel can open up a tremendous amount of living space. You will be amazed at how much additional space a quick hallway remodel can add to the overall look and feel of your home.
Install see-through cabinets. See-through cabinets will brighten up the kitchen in addition to giving a bold look.
Room additions are the most effective way to give you the extra space you need, but there are other ways you can quickly and without huge expenses to add space in your home. By remodeling just a few spaces inside your home you can give your home a new and larger feel.