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  1. Room Addition Costs

    July 12, 2011 by Synergy Guru
    bathroom addition cost

    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.


  2. From Exterior Porch to Interior Space

    February 1, 2011 by Synergy Guru

    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?


  3. Unfinished Attics are Remodeling Opportunities!

    September 6, 2010 by Synergy Guru

    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!


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