With experience comes, well, experience.

I have come to realize their aren’t really problem’s, only solutions. Nothing has proven to be insurmountable. Only a challenge to my knowledge and experience at the time. What I can’t control is the economy and consumers opinion on whether to do improvements to their home or not.

Over the past four months I’m noticing peoples increased willingness to do more home improvement’s. I have gotten more request for screen porches and 3 and 4 season porches in this year than ever before in the same period. I have built porches in almost every city in the Twin Cities. It is by far one of my favorite projects to build.

When a client calls me up with the idea that they want to add an addition to their home, there are always many of the same question’s that come up. With some discussion on how they are planning on using the space I can give them good options. Usually some they hadn’t considered or even knew were possibilities for their project. I thought I would put some of them here with the hopes of educating anyone looking for information on home additions.

What Size Home Addition?

Not just in the Twin Cities but all over the country the first issue that comes up is what size to build. What I have learned is that in general anything approximately 10’ x 10’ or smaller will have a higher cost per square foot. By reason it still involves everything that goes into a larger addition just less of it. Like when you go to get a fountain soda at a gas station it might be .99 for 12 ounces or 1.39 for the 24 ounces. You still require the same elements. A cup, a lid, and a straw and the associated business expenses. It just so happens that the product you put in is a relatively small percentage of the total cost. So I usually recommends to build as big as you care to, the cost per square foot only goes down the larger you get.

What About Heating And Cooling An Addition

Another popular question is about heating and cooling a four season porch. The porches that I build usually include a fireplace capable of heating the space. Although I always encourage installing either ducts from the existing heating system as the most comfortable option. If the room, like a recreation room, is going to include a hot tub I prefer to have it on an independent system to keep potential humidity and chemical odder from the rest of the home. Another great option for heating and cooling is with what’s called a Mini Split system. Mini Splits are a great, economical option for some additions.

If you are planning a room addition, porch addition or screen porch around the Twin Cities area feel free to contact me with other questions. Otherwise I will add information as time permits.

from: Aspen Remodelers"

Deadline for this particular program: All applications must be received by March 9, 2012.
Find out more and get an application on the cities website. Home improvement loans Bloomington, MN.

Not a resident of Bloomington, MN? Many other local governments have similar programs so check with your city or municipality to see what’s available for you. If you don’t know your cities website call the city hall information desk and they should be able to direct you to the right local department.

from: Aspen Remodelers"

As a carpenter it’s easy to forget that after you head home for the day the home owners are left with the most used room of the home left virtually unusable. I could empathize with the home owners. From their view, it was see some work done.. wait for the next phase.. see some work done.. wait for the next phase. So I went to work looking for efficiencies, processes to streamline in each phase and securing relationships with outside service providers who were on board with my approach and would provide this level of service. I determined that a majority of our past kitchen remodels could have been completed within 7 days using this new process. So I started our One Week Kitchen Remodel program.

Completing a kitchen remodel quickly and accurately insuring it is everything the home owner hoped for is essential. At the end of the week I have delivered the kitchen of their dreams then I have made a customer for life. As it isn’t just about doing the project but also developing a relationship. A component not given enough attention in remodeling, the customer/contractor relationship. We’ll be working on one of your biggest investments and in your private space for a good amount of time. Our relationship is a big component to a smooth remodel and should be one of mutual trust and respect.

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"

from: Aspen Remodelers"