Additions Consultation

That depends on what you’ve envisioned. Both are great ways to add extra space to your home. For example, adding another story to your house would make a lot of sense if you want to have a modern style loft or have a decorated spacious attic. On the other hand, you might not want to have to go up and down the stairs all the time, in which case, adding a second unit, another room, or simply converting an existing space such as the garage into a livable area makes a lot more sense. 

There are several things you need to keep in mind when building an addition. For one, you need to make sure that your project has been approved by the local municipality and that you are not breaking any zoning bylaws. For example, if you want to build a second story, you need to make sure that there are no height restrictions. If you want an additional structure, you’ll need to make sure that there are no land restrictions. The only way to know for sure what kind of expansion is best for you is to consult a design expert who knows the laws and has the experience to see your project through from beginning to end. 

There are several cost effective ways to add square footage to your home. 

1. Build an addition
2. Add another room if you have a lot of space
3. Transform your attic into a livable space
4. Finish your basement and turn it into a livable space
   
5. Add another level if you have high ceilings
   
6. Convert a detached garage into a second living unit

Aside from adding extra square footage to your home, an addition can also prove to be a valuable return on investment, no matter if you plan to sell your property or continue living in it. For example, a second dwelling unit or an additional story can be rented out, so you can get some extra income.

Here at Acadia, we always tell our clients to look not for the cheapest way to do their project, but to build an addition that will actually make sense for them and bring them the most value. We take our role as design consultants very seriously, because a trained and experienced design professional is the only one who will work in your best interest and build you an addition that works with your property. 

To an untrained eye, a deck can be one of the simplest ways to boost property value and improve their property’s curb appeal. However, as simple as they may seem, decks can become quite complicated, and it is important to acquire as much information as possible before starting the project. 

A permit for a deck can sometimes cost more than the project itself. Yes, believe it or not, this is true. For example, if you want to build a front deck, and a contractor gives you a quote of $2000, don’t make the mistake of assuming that this fee takes care of everything. For example, what the contractor may not have taken into account was the big tree in your front yard that needed to be cut down in order to build the deck, and this won’t be as simple as you thought. Cutting a tree down requires going to the adjustment committee. Now, all of a sudden, your $2000 deck has an additional fee of $1000 just to get it legalized. In a different scenario, your deck might be too close to the sidewalk, which would require an additional permit that probably wasn’t accounted for in the initial quote. Because we’ve seen these scenarios so many times, we always try to educate our clients to ask as many questions as possible before they start building a deck, because even a simple project like that can turn into a real nightmare and won’t bring any real value to the property.

Many people think that landscaping or building a deck brings the most value to their home, but in reality, the best way to boost your property’s value is to add rooms and bathrooms. However, we recommend that you speak to a design consultant before you start your project and that you ask as many questions as possible in order to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises: 

1. Will it be difficult to obtain a permit for it?
2. Will this project bring me any value? Will I get a return on my investment?
3. Is what I imagined doable?

Many people make the mistake of speaking to a contractor first instead of talking to a design consultant. We’ve seen numerous cases where a project was abandoned, simply because the contractor didn’t take into account the zoning bylaws or certain aspects of the project (electrical or plumbing setup, for example). At the end, it is you who will have to suffer the consequences of someone else handling your project poorly, so think twice before you accept a quote from a contractor simply because it seems affordable. If the project isn’t planned by an expert who takes into consideration every single detail and makes sure your drawings comply with zoning bylaws, you might end up paying double than what you were originally quoted. Always think of hiring a design consultant first, because they are the ones who will work in your best interest and make sure contractors don’t scam you.

The amount of time it will take to complete your project will be determined by various factors such as:

• The size of the lot/space

• The scope of the renovation or addition

• The permits you need

• What you’re using the space for

A good design consultant will take everything into consideration before they start your project or even quote you. 

In general, most delays in building additions are caused by permit delays. If you don’t provide  the correct drawings for a certain aspect of the project, this will delay your building permit. The most common mistake that homeowners make that seriously affects the timeline is that they hire professionals that will handle only one aspect of their project (an architect who provides only structural drawings and not electrical or other mechanical drawings, for example). That’s why you should always speak to design consultants who will provide you with a full set of drawings and will make sure they comply with the city’s bylaws.