Some Things To Consider   To Build, Add On or To Renovate Every year countless homeowners struggle with the question of whether to build, add on, or to renovate. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and let emotion rather than logic dictate. Here are a few things to consider before making a decision: - Do you like the area you are in? - Are you "relatively" satisfied with your present home? - Are there zoning or setback requirements that affect your decision? - Is your home larger or smaller than your neighbors? If smaller, adding on usually increases resale values; if your home is already the largest one on the block, enhancing from within may make more sense. - Can you sell your home for a fair price? - What are the cost differences between new construction and renovation? - Can you purchase a lot in your price range that meets your geographical needs? - Are you planning on more children? When? - Are you entering the "empty nest" part of your life? - Do you have aging parents who may join your family in the future? These are important questions to answer. Regardless of whether you decide to renovate, add on or build new it is likely to fall into the category of "major expense." To help with your decision you should create a list of "pros" and "cons" for each of the choices. After some discussion you should search for a reputable and qualified contractor to offer some free advice. QBH CONSTRUCTION LTD. offers free "in-home" consultation. We will gladly provide references from our many satisfied customers. Even if you plan on doing the work yourself you should consult with a professional. In many cases this advice can save you thousands of dollars.     To Hire Or Not To Hire When the time comes to renovate, add on or build new, many people think they can do almost any job that comes along. However, this is not always true; as many usually discover soon after beginning their project. You will find it helpful to develop an outline of what needs to be done before starting. Read as many articles as you can find on your particular topic. Talk to friends and neighbors with experience on similar tasks. Go to some open houses on a Sunday afternoon to gather ideas. Use the Internet to aid with your research. Record your findings in a notebook, log, or diary. Be sure you will be able to find the researched information when it is required. A common mistake is failure to check with the municipality about their by-laws and codes. Always check with them before getting too far in the planning stage. Usually you will find them informative and helpful. Permits will almost always be required and may take a few weeks to process. You may discover the need for professional help for certain phases of the project. The following points should be kept in mind when looking for these professionals: - Get at least three estimates to use for comparison. (The lowest price is not necessarily the best) - Have a spec sheet available to give the person responsible for quoting you a price. (This is especially important to guarantee they are bidding on the same thing) - Ask for at least three recent references and check with them.   - Ask about past jobs and speak to these customers, if possible. - Ask about workmanship, finishing on schedule and availability for recalls. - Ask if they carry liability insurance! If the contractor carries no insurance, the homeowner may be held liable in the event of an injury on the job. More than one homeowner has been found that the savings they had expected quickly vanished when they were faced with a lawsuit from an on site injury. - Ask if they are registered with the Worker's Compensation Board. - Ask if they are registered with a Home Warranty Program, such as the Atlantic Home Warranty Program. After doing all the research you might discover the job is more than you feel comfortable tackling. You owe it to yourself to get estimates from professional general contractors for the entire project from start to finish. It is quite possible that you might even be able to save money by hiring a pro; especially when there are many associated costs that often get overlooked by the homeowner.   At QBH Construction Ltd.. we are more than willing to provide a free consultation and estimate. You have absolutely nothing to lose.   | Home Page | About Us | Things To Consider | Our Projects | Testimonials | | How To Contact Us | Send An E-mail Now |