Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
What is a home addition?
A home addition is a new structure added to an existing home. Home additions create more living space, accommodate a growing family, and improve the home’s overall value.
A home addition can be completed by making a single room bigger or adding an entirely new room or second story to the home. A more affordable home addition option is to convert an existing garage, basement, or attic into a more functional and comfortable living space.
Does a home addition increase property value?
A well-built home addition can increase property value. The increase in square footage adds value, especially if the addition includes functional and well-designed living spaces. An addition that adds an extra bedroom, bathroom, or larger kitchen can make the home more appealing to potential buyers.
How can I finance a home addition?
You have various financing options for a home addition, such as:
Home equity loans – These bank loans allow you to borrow a lump sum by using your home equity as collateral.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC) – Unlike a lump sum, this revolving credit line enables you to borrow against your home equity as needed.
Cash-out refinances – By refinancing your mortgage for an amount exceeding your current balance, the lender provides the surplus in cash, which can be used for home improvements.
Personal loans – Unsecured and without collateral, personal loans have higher interest rates, determined by your creditworthiness and loan approval.
Credit cards – Consider using a low-interest-rate credit card for smaller home additions, ensuring prompt repayment.
How can I save on a home addition?
Consider the following recommendations to reduce the expenses associated with a home addition:
Opt for a straightforward design with minimal features to keep costs down.
Construct the smallest addition that satisfies your requirements and complies with local regulations.
Explore the option of repurposing existing spaces, such as basements, garages, or attics, which is generally more affordable than building a new structure.
Do basic tasks like painting and interior finishing on your own to cut down on professional labor expenses.
Select budget-friendly building materials and finishes in more spaces, and splurge on a few items with the most impact.
How do I choose a home addition builder?
Follow these suggestions to get the best home addition contractor near you.
Seek estimates from several contractors for the same addition size and features, allowing for informed comparisons.
Evaluate the builder's reputation by checking recent reviews on HomeGuide and Google to assess their performance.
Request a site visit to see the contractor's construction methods and gauge their workmanship firsthand.
Choose a contractor with proven experience in the specific type of home addition you desire.
Protect yourself by requesting an itemized written contract that outlines the scope of work, specifications, and payment terms to prevent any misunderstandings.
Inquire about the contractor's preferred lenders to streamline the financing process and potentially secure better terms.
Exercise caution and avoid making large upfront payments. Never pay in full or in cash, as this could leave you vulnerable to potential issues.
What questions should I ask a home addition contractor?
Here are some helpful questions to ask a home addition contractor:
How many years have you been specializing in home addition projects?
How many home additions have you successfully completed within the past year?
Do you provide design services to help create a floor plan for the home addition?
Can you provide me with a list of references from previous clients, along with their contact information, so I can gather feedback on your work?
Do you have a portfolio showcasing your past home addition projects that I can review?
Are there any recent home addition projects I can visit to see the quality of your workmanship firsthand?
Are you fully licensed, insured, and bonded to protect me from any potential liabilities?
Can you advise me on the most suitable locations for building an addition to my home?
Can you provide me with a detailed cost estimate for the home addition project?
Are there any cost-effective strategies we can consider to reduce the overall expense of the project?
Can you provide a realistic timeline for completing the home addition project?
Who will be my designated project coordinator responsible for overseeing the project's progress?
Do you employ your own experienced crew, or do you subcontract the work to other contractors?
Reviews for Torrance home addition contractors
Recent success stories from people in the Torrance area.
Adan C.
Very reliable, honest, hard working. Highly recommended. He helped me to remodel my house:
Wall demolition, pluming, electricity, installed new windows and patio doors, etc, etc!
AM CONSTRUCTION
Yaniv K.
Highly recommend these guys after doing a great job from start to finish !
I recently bought a house for investment and needed remodeling for the kitchen and 2 bathrooms , and a friend recommended Oria Builders and sent me to speak with Gilad the owner.
we clicked from the first call , Gilad was super friendly , professional and understood exactly what I was looking for without me having to explain too much and got me a price offer and work plan within a couple of days and by the next week the crew was already working on my property.
Gabriel the project manager was always polite and respectful, kept everything clean and did a raeally good job on keeping us updated at every point of the job .
they completed the job within the agreed upon time frame with no lagging , left everything clean and looking brand new , and I will absolutely use their services again in the future .
thanks again guys for doing a wonderful job!
Oria Builders
Holden W.
Gilmer is very professional and thorough. He inspected the home inside and out. He issued a detailed report complete with photos, descriptions and recommendations for repairs. I receive the report with in the same day of my inspection. I was very happy and would recommend him highly.
GG Home Repair Services
Nathanial M.
Job: Demolish and replace 3-4' cinderblock retaining wall.
Review: Mr. Alvarado and his team are true professionals. The communication and responsiveness was the best I've experienced with any contractor I have hired. Mr. Alvarado is truly skilled at his craft and created a tremendous end-product. Would hire again for any masonry work. Highly recommend.
Alvarado construction company inc
Rene O.
He knows what he's doing and I am very satisfied with his work I would hire a while again
Eduardo handyman service
Danny B.
Me and my mom had major remodel done that included removing a wall to create open concept in kitchen and dining area. Working with Zack and his workers was a pleasant and smooth experience. the responsiveness professionalism of the time management for different parts in the project was far beyond the expectations I will use Zack and sky builders again in the for future projects!
Sky Builders ZHR
Martin C.
Leplebe's plumbing
Beto O.
Very professional
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