Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The Parker County Hospital District Board of Directors Thursday voted unanimously to move ahead with a medical office building project.

The district has been in discussions with Weatherford Regional Medical Center for some time about the possibility of a medical office building, which would help alleviate some of the hospital space problems and benefit the community, attorney and PCHD interim administrator Brian Jackson said.

What we are contemplating moving forward with is an arrangement by which, on district-owned land, we would construct a medical office building that would be used by Weatherford Regional Medical Center for its physicians, Jackson said.

A building is expected to be constructed on property owned by the district in the 700 block of Anderson Street near the hospital.

Community Health Systems would pay rent in addition to the rent it pays for use of the hospital.

Calculating the amount of rent is always difficult to do. However, the arrangement that I think would be favorable for the district would be for the district to charge a percentage of the cost of the construction of the building, Jackson said.

Jackson said he is hopeful that they can reach an agreement for annual payments of 6 percent of the construction cost of the building.

That would be cheaper than rental rates WRMC can get on the open market, Jackson said.

The details of the building, such as size and cost, havent been decided.

Legal documents detailing occupancy, upkeep and other arrangements would need to be worked out and any agreements between the Weatherford Regional Medical Center and the hospital district would come to the districts board of directors for approval, Jackson said.

Jackson does not expect the hospital district to use the building for its own expansion needs.

This is more an opportunity for Weatherford Regional Medical Center to bring in more physicians, more specialties, support the existing physicians [and] have an office building for them thats close to the hospital that that can access, Jackson said.

Link:
WRMC to get new medical office building - Weatherford Democrat

The Department of Insurance is warning to the public.

Dean Johnson, KTVB 6:11 PM. MST February 21, 2017

(Photo: KTVB)

BOISE - Many times when we think of storm chasers, we think of those who go out and chase storms. However, the Idaho Department of Insurance says there's another kind of storm chaser. One they suspect will be targeting you and your roof this spring after this year's historic snowfall. These roofers travel around the country following storms and looking to exploit any homeowner.

There are several things you can do to protect yourself. Make sure to do your research.

"They can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they've had any complaints on that particular contractor," Elaine Mellon with the Department of Insurance said.

If you do suspect your roof may have received some damage this past winter, make sure to check your insurance policy and see what is and isn't covered.

"No roofing contractor should be advising you on your insurance policy," Mellon said.

A homeowner can also have their insurance company come out and take a look.

Many times these storm chasers will show up looking for homeowners in need of repairs. They'll pass our flyers and even show up to your door unannounced.

Josh and Kimberly Adams with Paradigm Roofing in Boise say door knocking isn't only a common practice for storm chasers, but for any company. They advise not only doing your research through the Better Business Bureau, but also checking out the company on the secretary of state's website.

"Verification of licensing with the state, and even if they are licensed in another state, make sure they're able to be doing work in your state," Kimberly Adams said.

If the contractor does have a license, also double check to make sure they have insurance, and ask if you can see it.

"It should be common communication and common conversation for any contractor if you say 'hey I need your general liability insurance.' It should come easy for them," Adams said.

If the contractor is hesitant, then you should be hesitant.

The contractor's insurance certificate should also include workman's compensation.

"If they are hurt on your property this is what covers that worker from not having liability towards you as a homeowner," Josh Adams said.

In the end, it's important that you take a step back, take your time, and never sign anything upfront.

"I encourage consumers to take time. Do their research. Research the contractor, talk with their insurance agency," Mellon said.

( 2017 KTVB)

Excerpt from:
Protecting yourself from 'storm chasers' roofing scam - KTVB.com

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) The beginning of the year is generally a busy time for ABC Roofing. Barbara Hauan, office manager for the Reno-based company, says this is the time of year people like to use their tax refunds to make needed repairs on their homes. But since January, the phones have been ringing non-stop and repair jobs are stacking up. And this is not a problem unique to ABC Roofing.

"Unfortunately a lot of the roofing companies are way behind," Hauan said.

The explanation is simple- the extremely wet winter. The unending string of storms has cause thousands of roof leaks across the area, putting a strain on roofing companies.

"We've been overwhelmed with leak repairs," Hauan said. "We're actually 4 to 5 weeks out from repairs."

That means some people won't be getting their repairs made until early spring- later if the winter weather continues. That's because the uptick in demand isn't the only reason for the backlog. Safety concerns are also delaying repairs.

"We're a family-owned business, so we try to accommodate the customer to the best of our ability and we never say no," Hauan said. 'But the weather is a huge risk. We want to make sure it's not too wet. We can't open a roof if it's going to rain. We can't just run out anytime and just get up there, and I think a lot of people don't understand that. You know, safety's a big issue."

Enrique Juarez Delariva, project manager with ABC Roofing, says crews are trying to find any break in the weather they can to make repairs.

"We try to beat it," he said. "When we get a little bit of sunshine, a couple hours, as much as we can get done with a day or two, then we're back to square one with waiting and waiting."

He said if you do find yourself waiting, poke a small hole in the affected area to minimize the damage.

"Nothing too drastic, but at least to alleviate pressure and allow draining," Juarez Delariva said.

At this point, with the end of winter still several weeks away, Hauan says she hopes people have patience, and understand crews are hoping to get caught up soon.

"Just be patient and keep your fingers crossed that we have some sunshine pretty soon," she said.

The rest is here:
Local roofing companies face backlog - KOLO

Redmond firefighters survey the scene where 40-50 gallons of roofing glue spilled on a portion of Redmond Way this morning. Courtesy of the Redmond Police Department

Drivers were stuck in traffic on Tuesday morning when a truck spilled 40-50 gallons of roofing glue on westbound Redmond Way at Northeast 76th Street.

The Redmond Police Department (RPD) tweeted about the sticky situation at 10:45 a.m.

At about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, police opened one westbound lane actually a left-turn lane temporarily used as a main lane on Redmond Way. At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, all lanes were open, according to RPD public information officer Becky Range.

The trucks huge containers of the glue were unsecured and all went flying out on the roadway, Range said.

Cars were still coming and cars were driving through the glue, said Range, noting that there were no injuries. It kind of made a huge traffic issue, but it could have been worse.

The fire department quickly blocked drains, but the Department of Ecology is en route to take a look, another police tweet read.

It was quick thinking on their part, Range said of the fire departments actions.

Ecologys Larry Altose said the city public works and fire crews placed sand and sorbents around the drain and installed storm drain shields. His staff observed no impacts to the storm drain.

We appreciate the citys response to protect the storm drain system and, in turn, the nearby creek, Altose added.

Fire, Ecology and hazmat crews along with an environmental contractor cleaned up the mess. Scott McQuary of Redmonds public works department and natural resources division said no spillage entered the drains or nearby Bear Creek.

McQuary said everyone put their heads together to devise a cleanup solution. The truck driver was required to hire an environmental cleanup contractor, who was soon on scene. They decided to let the substance solidify a little bit and then crews shoveled and scraped up the hardened glue. The truck driver was required to dispose of the material.

The truck remained on scene Tuesday and the driver was cited.

Drivers headed downtown were advised to use west State Route 520 as an alternate route, according to police. Police called Metro right away so they could figure out bus routes, and Range said the Washington State Department of Transportation helped in informing drivers about the scenario.

Read more here:
Sticky situation: Truck spills roofing glue on Redmond roadway ... - Redmond Reporter

Gusty winds have caused a lot of headaches for homeowners over the last few weeks, which means for many roofing companies, business isnt slowing down any time soon.

Roof repairs could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, so taking action before a storm could save you big in the long run.

Business is booming for the folks at Ohana Construction, working on blown roofs to leaks and repairs.

Tanden Hayes tells us the phone calls for help havent stopped over the last month. As a general manager, Im usually in the office doing operations, but Ive been out in the field, up on roofs and doing inspections myself.

He says the company has even had to hire more people. We have crews that go out into the island, into the community, and survey the affected areas, Hayes said. On average, I would say weve done about 5-10 projects, signed contracts a week.

Having home insurance, and knowing when to use it, is key to saving money, as was the case for a home in Manoa, where about 75 percent of the roof was blown off.

It actually ended up costing the homeowner no more than their deductible, said Hayes. I think they ended up paying about a thousand dollars and the rest of it was covered by their insurance.

Homeowners, especially in Hawaii, they dont automatically think about filing insurance claims.

Hayes says to simply put pay attention to your home and dont wait until its too late. If they have an old roof, they would want to get it fixed before the strong winds come. That way, they can avoid material being ripped off and leaks happening.

And if your roof is anywhere between 10 to 15 years old, its a good time to call an inspector. Hayes says we can come and do a damage assessment, especially if youre seeing tiles flying off, even just one or two.

Here is the original post:
Business booming for roofing companies due to recent gusty winds ... - KHON2

Market Summary Follow

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. is a Distributors of roofing materials

BECN - Market Data & News

BECN - Stock Valuation Report

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (BECN) traded on unusually high volume on Feb. 22, as the stock gained 0.31% to close at $45.88. On the day, Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. saw 614,576 shares trade hands on 5,931 trades. Considering that the stock averages only a daily volume of 405,769 shares a day over the last month, this represents a pretty significant bump in volume over the norm.

Generally speaking, when a stock experiences a sudden spike in trading volume, it may be seen as a bullish signal for investors. An increase in volume means more market awareness for the company, potentially setting up a more meaningful move in stock price. The added volume also provides a level of support and stability for price advances.

The stock has traded between $49.32 and $32.75 over the last 52-weeks, its 50-day SMA is now $45.66, and its 200-day SMA $44.64. Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has a P/B ratio of 2.04. It also has a P/E ratio of 27.1.

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc is engaged in the distribution of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the United States and Canada.

Headquartered in Herndon, VA, Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has 5,042 employees and is currently under the leadership of CEO Paul M. Isabella.

For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., check out Equities.coms Stock Valuation Analysis report for BECN.

Want to invest with the experts? Subscribe to Equities Premium newsletters today! Visit http://www.equitiespremium.com/ to learn more about Guild Investments Market Commentary and Adam Sarhans Find Leading Stocks today.

To get more information on Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. and to follow the companys latest updates, you can visit the companys profile page here: BECNs Profile. For more news on the financial markets and emerging growth companies, be sure to visit Equities.coms Newsdesk. Also, dont forget to sign-up for our daily email newsletter to ensure you dont miss out on any of our best stories.

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.

DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer

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Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (BECN) Moves Higher on Volume Spike ... - Equities.com

SUDBURY Labelle Roofing recently provided free services to install a new Owens Corning Roofing System on the three buildings of the Save A Dog humane society complex in Sudbury.

We noticed that a Save A Dog fundraiser was focused on raising roofing funds, so as avid dog lovers we decided we could best contribute by lending our expertise, said Rob LaBelle.

As a not-for profit, contribution-funded organization, Save A Dog is very happy that Rob LaBelle and his company were willing to repair our infrastructure for us, said Shirley Moore, co-founder of Save A Dog. We are glad that we can use our contributors precious funds to focus on our mission of caring for and finding new homes for abandoned dogs, rather than investing in infrastructure.

Roofing the Save A Dog buildings was a coordinated group effort. In addition to the contribution from Labelle Roofing and Owens Corning, ABC Supply Co. Inc., a Sudbury-based distributor of roofing components, contributed materials for this installation, and Barry Bros. Disposal of Walpole and Newton donated the dumpster and disposal services. Rob, Matt and Josh LaBelle coordinated a large crew in order to install the three separate roofs in one days time. The goal was to minimize the noise and confusion for the dogs, especially a group of new arrivals from a hoarding situation that arrived the same evening.

Read the rest here:
LaBelle Roofing provides free services to Save a Dog - Wicked Local Sudbury

Its not uncommon for you to call a company, and for whatever reason, they dont get back to you.

But it should be uncommon for a company to take thousands from you and not get back to you.

It happened to a central Ohio man and on top of that, hes losing even more money because the company never provided the service it promised.

John Kessler has owned a block of buildings in Union County for years but he cant rent one of them. Its been a couple of years in fact but its not entirely his fault that he cant rent it.

Kesslers hardwood floors are buckled, theres standing water everywhere and doors cant shut properly because wood floors beneath are swollen with water from a leaking roof.

Hes paid $3,000 down to get a new roof to a company called Midwest Construction Services. It told him it would get his new roof put on in two weeks. That was in September.

The company address is inside a building along Campus View Boulevard in Columbus. I called this location multiple times and I went there too.

A receptionist told me, Midwest doesnt actually have an office here. It has a phone line and mailing address only.

I called the mobile phone number listed on the website multiple times too. Last week, voicemail was full and I couldnt leave a message. This week, I left two messages. No one returned my calls.

It turns out Kessler isnt the only person whos had problems with this company. On the Better Business Bureaus website, nearly two dozen people sent in complaints over the last three years.

BBB complaints show other people paid Midwest $4,000, $5,000 even $19,000 and some jobs were never completed. Numerous complaints show people trying to get their deposits back too.

Its because of problems like these; the BBB revoked its accreditation for Midwest Construction Services and now gives the company an F rating.

On the Franklin County Clerks website, theres a current case involving Midwest Construction Services. Its being sued by another local company called Hamilton Parker.

I reached out to Hamilton Parker and its attorney but no one called back.

Until Midwest Construction Services resolves issues with customers like Kessler and gets re-accredited by the BBB, Consumer 10s best advice is to research other companies for your home construction needs.

No matter who you hire for work to be done at your home or business, start your research with the BBB. Its website is a great resource and be sure to see if any complaints against a company were resolved.

Also, before you pay any money down, for example, on a sizeable home improvement job, ask a company for references, ask to see their work from other jobs and make sure theyre licensed and bonded.

See the rest here:
Union Co. man says roofing company took his money but didn't do the work - 10TV

Building construction permits over $10,000 in value that were approved in Boulder between Feb. 6, 2017 to Feb. 12, 2017. Listed below are: the case number; address; total project valuation; owner name; contractor (if applicable); and description.

PMT2016-03289 4800 Baseline Road A-101; $252,000.00; On Meadows; Ron Sparks Inc.; Tenant improvements to an existing commercial structure. Scope of work includes new lighting, electric, new RTU and associated HVAC, interior finishes, and minor exterior modifications including a new storefront door on northwest elevation, new egress door on the northeast elevation, and replacement of an existing egress door and overhead loading door on the southeast elevation. See ADR2016-00132 approval. Exterior scope of work to also include pouring a new sidewalk of the secondary egress door and a new curb and ramp at the new overhead door. Scope of work to include associated MEP.

PMT2016-03817 1503 Cedar Ave.; $329,198.95; Field West Construction, LLC; Addition and remodel to a single-family detached dwelling over a crawl space. Existing structure to be raised to above the flood protection level. Addition to include a bedroom suite, laundry, mudroom, and kitchen expansion on the main level, and to include master suite, two additional bedrooms, and an additional bath on the upper level. Remodel to include the remainder of the dwelling. Permit associated with Floodplain Development permit PMT2016-03818 and new detached garage (PMT2016-03819). See BOZ2016-00025 for Setback Variance.

PMT2016-03819 1503 Cedar Ave.; $21,600.92; Field West Construction, LLC; New detached 484 square feet unconditioned two-car garage. Mid-roof inspection required. Remodel and addition to the single-family detached dwelling by separate permit PMT2016-03817.

PMT2016-04485 1310 College Ave.; $120,000.00; SF Construction Inc.; Tenant remodel of restaurant space for 1000 Degree Pizza including finishes, cabinetry and counters, installation of pizza oven and associated ventilation equipment, associated finishes, mechanical, plumbing and electrical.**Change of Scope 01/06/17** To include the reconfiguration of existing ramp to meet ANSI.

PMT2016-04862 700 Pearl St. 1; $150,000.00; Brian and Stephanie Hover; Unified Building Group LLC; Interior remodel for Units 1 and 2, which had been combined under previous permit in 2009. (See PMT 2008-05068 Address 7-2 Pearl) Scope includes reconfiguration of interior walls for a two bedroom unit to include a remodel of the two bathrooms. relocation of kitchen, addition of two gas fireplace units, and general MEP upgrades. **12/27/16 Change in the scope of work; relocating structural beam, originally proposed to be placed in the center of the island, now to be positioned off the northern wall, approximately 3 feet.

PMT2016-05434 1002 Walnut St.; $394,582.50; Rhinotrax Construction Inc.; Suite 300 - Interior tenant finish of existing office space within a mixed-use building. Scope includes new partition walls for offices and conference rooms, break rooms, new rest rooms, new lighting. Scope includes associated MEP. Existing RTUs to be reused. See PMT2016-05176 for demo SOW.

PMT2016-05681 1606 Conestoga St.; $31,000.00; Westland Development; Sobo Design and Build; Cover existing patio with a canvas awning. Mechanical scope to include a gas fired radiant heating unit. Fence on south side of patio under separate permit. Reference ADR2016-00273 for Minor Mod approval.

PMT2016-05686 1420 Pearl St.; $137,095.00; Pearl 1420; PG Arnold Construction; Interior tenant remodel to demise existing space into two commercial spaces. Scope of work includes non-structural wall installation, reconfiguration of two bathrooms to comply with accessiblility requirements, update to electrical. See separate permit PMT2016-05651 for storefront modifications.

PMT2016-05729 1455 Alpine Ave.; $207,842.00; Helen Preddy; MK Construction LLC; Remodel of a single-family dwelling, 2924.6 square feet Remodel to include reconfiguring the lower and main floors, as well as altering the slope of the roof on the western portion of the roof. No additional floor area proposed in scope. Associated MEP's included in the scope of this permit.

PMT2016-05755 2680 Lafayette Drive; $40,000.00; David Cooper and Amelia Struthers; Addition of conditioned hallway to connect residence and existing detached garage and addition of a second story studio on the now attached garage. Scope of work includes interior remodel to relocate interior stair to basement and remodel kitchen finishes including cabinetry and counter tops. Scope of work includes associated electrical and mechanical, and plumbing work. *1/23/17 Updated scope: Scope of project no longer includes the addition of conditioned hallway to connect residence and existing detached garage. Scope no longer includes any addition to the existing detached garage; garage is no longer within scope in any capacity.

PMT2016-05839 3063 Sterling Circle; $39,984.36; Bibi Atallah; Sanderson Construction Company; Interior tenant remodel of existing recording studio. Scope includes lighting and power upgrades/ reconfigurations and acoustical panel installation. No mechanical or plumbing scope.

PMT2016-05897 1020 Albion Way; $54,072.00; Melody McCoy and Thanh Nguyen; One story addition (480 square feet) over a crawl space on the rear of a single-family detached dwelling. Addition will include a family room and an accessible bathroom. Homeowners intend to relocate kitchen to the addition at some future date under separate permit, so not included in current scope.

PMT2017-00032 2560 55th St.; $115,387.20; P7 UPI; Sand Construction LLC; Interior tenant remodel. Nonstructural demolition of ceiling and walls in areas of remodel, 1440 square feet Build back 360 linear feet of nonstructural walls. Adding (2) showers, (1) to be ADA compliant. Adding (2) new sinks and relocating (1) sink. Associated MEP's included within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-00076 1301 Walnut St.; $534,504.00; Aplaza LLC; The Neenan Company, LllP; Tenant finish for Elevations Credit Union. Scope to include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Signage under separate permit.

PMT2017-00103 1301 Walnut St.; $150,000.00; Aplaza LLC; Wyatt Construction Co., Inc.; Suite B-200-Tenant finish for CBRE. Scope to include mechanical and electrical.

PMT2017-00134 1645 Sunset Blvd.; $510,000.00; Kanwaljit and Susan Singh; Remodel of main and second levels, 2752 square feet. Scope to include increasing the wall and plate height at family room and garage (west) and at bedrooms (east). Simplify roof line at family room and garage and provide new hip roof (east). Converting the south balcony to conditioned space, added to master bedroom, 133 square feet Associated MEPs included within the scope of this permit. Height/solar vairance approved throught ADR2016-00191. Setback variance approved through ADR2016-00393. Partial demolition (removal of street-facing wall finishes, more than 50% of roof) of a house constructed in 1957. Full demolition approved through HIS2016-00393.

PMT2017-00145 2940 Juilliard St.; $195,000.00; Derek and Shannon Liston; Remodel and deck additions for a single-family detached dwelling. Scope includes addition of half bath on lower level, reconfiguration of bedrooms, addition of egress windows, reconfiguration of multiple stairways, and addition of decks on main and upper levels.

PMT2017-00168 3380 Folsom St. 208; $12,285.00; John Olson; Robinson and Company Inc.; Replacement of three existing exterior stairways and handrails for 2610 Iris (unit 204), 3390 Folsom (units 205, 206, and 207) and 3380 Folsom (unit 208). Each stair is approximately 42 sf, for a total of 126 square feet.

PMT2017-00432 430 Christmas Tree Drive; $37,500.00; Sepp and Martha Seitz; Additon of perimeter interior framing for basement walls and repair of floor damaged drywall. Addition of some electrical along new framing. Installation of new radiant heat system, boiler and water heater, and bar sink (on lower level) Remodel of main level hall bath Addition of air exchange system on existing ducting. *Updated 2/7/17 - Remainder of work to be completed by the home owner acting as an owner contractor.

PMT2017-00445 1605 Columbine Ave.; $68,678.25; Melinda and David Cheval; Adai Construction, LLC; Remodel to include guest bathroom and master bathroom remodel on second floor and associated electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.

PMT2017-00449 815 36th St.; $21,800.00; Erin Pass; Sticks and Stones Woodworkers; Interior rehabilitation and renovation of kitchen and bathroom areas, add kitchen hood add kitchen island add 192 square foot deck to north side of building (deck less than 30 inches) See CPL2017-00125. Remodel bathroom (relocate shower drain, remount existing toile and sink with new replacement fixtures), replace kitchen cabinets, relocate range/oven, relocate gas line. Shower pan inspection required. No structural modification allowed to interior of dwelling (or proposed) under the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-00451 707 Maxwell Ave.; $48,000.00; William Wibbeler and Matt Wilson; Interior remodel - of a single-family residence. Homeowner as GC. Scope includes reconfiguration and remodel of kitchen/laundry room on main level, removal of bathroom from family room, addition of powder room, removal of second ("servant") staircase, approximately 175 square feet. On upper level, reconfiguration of existing spaces to create new bathroom, new storage room, and laundry chute, approximately 140 square feet. Scope includes associated MEP.

PMT2017-00456 230 Pawnee Drive; $15,975.00; Daniel and Kristen Stiles; Complete Basement Systems; Foundation stabilization to include (3) push piers along the south wall, on the east side of the garden level slab foundation and (5) helical piers under the south west porch posts to mitigate vertical movement. Scope also includes stabilization inside the residence which includes the supporting the stairs with (3) new mono posts on new helical piers.

PMT2017-00460 3035 Oneal Parkway 17T; $33,917.88; Aaron Fransua; Above All Cleaning and Restoration; Restoration due to water damage. Scope to include electrical, mechanical, plumbing, drywall, and insulation.

PMT2017-00484 130 S. 34th St.; $21,000.00; David Smith and Hannah P Brenkert-Smith; Storm Form LLC; After-the-fact kitchen remodel in response to CPL2017-00151. Scope to include relocating the kitchen sink, replacing the french door, and creating a pantry space in an existing closet space. Structural alterations to be executed per engineer's specifications. Associated MEP's included within the scope of this permit.

Original post:
Boulder-area building permits, Feb. 20, 2017 - Boulder Daily Camera

The cost to build an addition can vary widely depending on what you are looking for. It is best to let your contractor know your budget from the start, so they can help you evaluate different options. There are always ways to save money if you are flexible and plan ahead.

Building permit & zoning restrictions

Before starting, you should check with the local planning department to determine zoning restrictions in your area. For example, there are minimum distances that must be maintained from your property boundaries. The required clearance will typically vary along the front, rear, and sides of your lot. There may be other restrictions that come into play, such as how much of your lot can be covered by impervious material (i.e. concrete or structures) as this can affect the amount of surface water runoff. You will need to submit a building drawing and plot plan when applying for a building permit. When planning your schedule, dont forget to account for the time required to prepare the application and approval to be granted. Be aware that a building inspector will be required to do site visits at various stages of construction to ensure work is being completed to code.

Design drawings

Because a home addition is such a large investment, I always recommend clients have an architect or structural engineer prepare a design drawing before starting. An experienced professional will be able to visualize the best way to tie in a new addition to the existing home. For example, they will look at building proportions and consider how the new roofline will connect to the existing home.

They can also provide guidance on the proper placement of windows or doors and even look at landscaping features such as decks or walkways. An architect or designer can offer interior layout options to best suit your familys needs and ensure new and old spaces join seamlessly. Depending on the size of an addition, options to heat the new space will need to be considered. It is a good idea to discuss this with your contractor before starting. Having a plumber and electrician involved in the planning stage can also prove invaluable and help the homeowner identify savings that may not be possible later in the process.

Building up or building out

Typically, most home additions are ground-level expansions built-outwards to increase primary living space. Smaller, bump-out style additions are the most economical option as they are small enough to eliminate the need for a new foundation. Bump-outs are a great option if you looking for an eat-in kitchen nook or even a dream walk-in closet in the master bedroom. Accessibility accommodations are being more common as seniors choose to age in place. Using an addition to add a bedroom and/or bathroom to the main floor can allow for ground-level living and potentially free-up space for a second floor apartment conversion to supplement income.

Another way to increase the square-footage of your home is to build-up. If you have a small lot or want to take advantage of a spectacular view, this may be a good option. When adding a second story addition, you need to consider your existing home may not be liveable during the demolition and structural reinforcement stage. There will also be other factors that arent a concern when building-out, such as the space required to add a new stairwell. You may also need to alter existing heating systems if a second floor addition will affect your flue or chimney.

Next week, well continue to discuss topics to consider when looking at adding an addition to your home.

Remember to look for my column in The News every Tuesday. I will be addressing a wide-range of home-related construction and maintenance topics. I welcome readers to submit questions by sending me an email at macgibcontracting@hotmail.com or call me at 902-695-5919.

Gib Thompson is a Red Seal Carpenter and owner of MacGibbons Contracting Ltd. In Stellarton, Nova Scotia.

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COLUMN: Home additions - The News