December 2019 - Must Know Things Before You Start Construction

The basement forms the structure onto which your home sits. As such, it should not only be strong but, also well-built to accommodate all the structural features of the home. To an ordinary homeowner, there are many things that you may not know regarding the construction of basements. The following, are the basics of basement construction that you should always keep in mind.

Types of Basement Construction

There are various reasons for basement construction including extra living space, re-sale, and home remodeling. Nevertheless, you should first determine the particular type of basement construction that will suit your home and budget. Today, there are four major types of basement construction to choose from.

Poured Concrete
Concrete Blocks
Precast Panels
Clay or Stone Tiles

Each of these types of basement constructions has unique merits and cons that you should discuss with your builder beforehand. However, the choice should mainly depend on the structural needs of your home and the budget for the project.

Basement Waterproofing

Moisture is one of the biggest threats to basements that you should be very careful about during construction. Water seeping into the basement can impact the growth of mold and mildew as well as other damages. One of the best ways to avoiding such threats is by choosing a water-resistant material like concrete for basement construction. Besides, you should also make sure that that the basement walls are properly sealed to keep out moisture.

Inspections

Several things could go wrong during the construction of basements. If the mistakes are not identified and corrected on time, they could result in costly repairs. Therefore, you should also make sure that you bring in an independent inspector to check the basement and ascertain that the construction meets the required standards. The inspections should be conducted before the start of framing to avoid any complications.

There is a lot involved in basement construction but, you can easily avoid all the stress with the help of a professional builder. Choose wisely and hire the right contractor for the job! HomeAdvisor wrote a great article explaining in brief details about basement costs etc etc., check it out by clicking here.
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construction

Cool Things to Include in a New Home Build

December 17, 2019

When you choose to build a house, chances are that, you’ll live in it for a lengthy period. Therefore, it is wise to make the house as comfortable as possible. The following are some features you need to consider to achieve this.

Dual Kitchen Workspaces

In case many people will be gathering in your house, consider building dual workspaces in the kitchen, complete with sinks and garbage cans. This will keep people away from your space while you’re working.

Independently Controlled Outdoor outlets

To make celebrations like Christmas get to another level, build your home with outdoor receptacles beneath the eaves and other locations within your house. This avoids tangled and messy extension cords. It makes wiring easy such that you can switch lights on and off as you like especially when connected to a smart home automation system.

On-demand Water Heater

This ensures that the shower will never run cold again. An on-demand water heater helps to save space and energy as you only heat water when you need it. During those evenings when you come home tired, you can take long, luxurious showers without running out of hot water.

A Bathing Station for the Dog

Most pet owners are passionate about their pets and when building a new home, consider including some extras for the dog. A good suggestion is putting the dog’s bath in the garage. This makes it easy for the Fido to take that needed bath after a hike.

Custom Shelving

There is no better time to get that custom shelving you always needed, than when constructing your new house. This can serve as a focal point for a room, such as bookshelves arranged around an archway. It can also be a multimedia unit in the living room which can have a lot of utility.

Heated Floors

These have had increased popularity lately and features warming coils that run under the floorboards. They are controlled with a switch and add to the luxury of the house. They become more functional especially in winter or in cooler climates where the need for warmth is paramount.

Building a new home means including all the necessary features. But if you want to get extra comfort, then the above features will serve you right.
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construction

6 Things to discuss with your Contractor Before you start your Construction Project

December 5, 2019

Without proper planning, your home renovation or new construction will be a stressful and frustrating experience. Whether your business is growing and running out of space, or you’re building a home addition, you want to be closely involved in every aspect of your project. Knowing what to expect from your contractor before the work begins will help you better prepare for everything ahead. Keep in mind that you’re making a huge financial and emotional investment, and there’s no room for mistakes. Here’s what you should discuss with your contractor before starting that new construction project.

What are your Working Hours and Days?

Most construction companies and general contractors have standard work hours. It’s important that you find out what time the contractor or subcontractors will be working in your home every day. Of course, this will depend on whether your home is occupied or vacant. You want to have realistic expectations so you can plan yourself accordingly.

What is our Schedule?

Your construction project or home renovation is supposed to have a start and end date. You can’t have your contractor working on your project for years. There should be a schedule outlining the different tasks, timing, and deadlines. Otherwise, how will you know if things are slipping? Don’t start your project without a clear schedule. The schedule should include the specific days and times subcontractors will be on-site.

Communication and Contacts

Communication is very important. You should agree with your contractor on how you’ll be receiving progress reports and information about your project. Make sure you agree to a mode of communication both of you are comfortable with. You may want to consider having weekly meetings on a specific day and time so you can see your contractor and discuss things in person.

Site and Landscape Protection

If you’re renovating your home, some demolition work may need to be done. A pre-construction meeting on-site is necessary, therefore. You don’t want to walk back to a home with dust all over the place. In larger construction projects, it’s best to remove all fragile items and valuables on walls and keep them in a safe area. Your contractor should give a clear idea on how they plan to cordon off the construction area from the rest of your home or property.

Household Workers and Pets

Let your contractor know when your gardeners, cleaners, and other household workers are schedule to be onsite. It’s not your contractor’s responsibility to care for and keep track of your pet. Note that there’s work in progress and the noise from the construction can be stressful to your little friends, so you want to keep them away.

Neighbors

You don’t want to be insensitive of other people’s homes. The noise from the construction site is likely to impact your neighbors, which is why you should let them know about your project ahead of time. Your contractor should also try to tread lightly if possible, but you have to alert them first.

It’s important that you ask your contractor any lingering questions your may have before the project starts. Don’t hold back. Your contractor should be willing to respond to all your concerns and make sure you’re at peace.

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Monthly Archives: December 2019

Everything You Wanted to Know About Basement Construction