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Which Home Projects Deliver the Most Return on Investment?

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A home renovation is a perfect way to fix key functionality issues of your home and transform the style and aesthetics of a space. Beyond improving the flow and feel of your home, updates often contribute to a boost in your home’s resale value and can also provide a generous return on investment. However, not all home renovation projects reap the same returns. For this reason, you must be strategic with choosing the right project if a high ROI is important to you. To learn more, read on to discover which home projects deliver the most return on investment.

Home Renovations & Non-Monetary Returns

Besides contributing to your home’s resale value, home renovations offer non-monetary returns, like improved home functionality. Updating your home can create a more enjoyable environment for you to live in no matter how it impacts your home’s overall resale value. For this reason, a high ROI should not necessarily be the main deciding factor on remodeling unless you’re in the business of flipping houses.

4 of the Best Home Projects for a Greater ROI

If a high ROI is important to you, consider one of the following updates.

#1 Home Additions

Whether you expand your home to include a new room, build a second story, or finish an existing basement or attic, creating more liveable space typically results in a high return on investment. Although constructing a new room or adding a second story to a single-level home requires a large investment upfront, it also has the potential of 65% ROI. Finishing an existing basement or attic space is a cheaper alternative to adding square footage. Alternatively, building a mother-in-law suite in your backyard can also be a budget-friendly addition. Creating liveable space often involves finishing walls with insulation, drywall, and paint; installing new flooring; and updating heating and cooling.

#2 Kitchen Update

Nicknamed the heart of the home, the kitchen is one of the most frequently used places in a home. It is also a space that has the potential to reap a huge ROI for renovations, ranging from intensive makeovers to small upgrades. Larger renovations may involve rearranging kitchen cabinets, swapping old countertops for more high-end materials, and installing new flooring. Even smaller kitchen renovations, like replacing old kitchen appliances with newer models and painting existing cabinetry, can ultimately boost your home’s resale value.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Create a coffee bar
  • Add color to your cabinets
  • Brighten up the room with new lighting
  • Add a splash to your backsplash
  • Add a chandelier above your kitchen island
  • Add a kitchen island

#3 Bath Update

Addressing functional and aesthetic issues in high-traffic rooms has the potential to earn a big ROI and contribute to increased home resale value. Much like the kitchen, bathrooms are used daily, and renovations can range from small-scale to large. Keep in mind that larger makeovers often become quite expensive as moving plumbing fixtures often requires specialists to move/extend underground pipes; this ensures that tubs, toilets, showers, and sinks all have adequate draining capabilities. Smaller fix-ups in the bathroom can also have a tremendous impact on the functionality and style of your home. Some smaller fix-up ideas include updating fixtures, replacing cabinets or vanities, installing new flooring, or upgrading lighting. You may also consider:

  • Refinishing or replacing your shower or tub
  • Adding a standalone bathtub
  • Installing seamless glass paneling
  • Adding an extra sink or showerhead
  • Installing new ventilation systems

#4 Curb Appeal

Exterior changes that improve your home’s curb appeal can also experience a noteworthy ROI. These renovations range from replacing windows and doors to replacing old siding or adding a fresh coat of paint. Adding a deck or patio to your home is another idea for an exciting project! Some budget-friendly ideas that can enhance your home’s curb appeal include:

  • Painting the front door
  • Planting a tree or two
  • Installing window boxes
  • Cleaning and pressure washing your driveway, walkways, fence, etc.
  • Replacing the mailbox
  • Coordinating your home’s colors to create a cohesive color palette
  • Displaying your house numbers with customized plaques
  • Adding window shutters
  • Updating lighting

Are You Ready to Get Started?

We hope you enjoyed this guide on home projects with the potential to deliver the biggest ROI!  If you’re ready to start interviewing potential designers for your next home renovation, get started today at The Anderson Studio. Find inspiration by viewing our portfolio. Or, contact our team today to start imagining your new exciting project.

December 13, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ROI.jpg 625 800 clickgiant clickgiant2022-12-13 17:59:482022-12-13 18:02:55Which Home Projects Deliver the Most Return on Investment?

5 Fresh Remodeling Ideas for 2023

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Remodeling your home can make the space more enjoyable, comfortable, and better suited to your family’s wants and needs. More than that, remodeling projects are often shrewd investments that not only improve the look and feel of your home but also increase its resale value. No matter what the motivation, if remodeling your home is one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2023, you can enjoy a revitalized space with any of these 5 fresh remodeling ideas.

#1 Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Today, simple remodel projects can reduce a home’s energy consumption without sacrificing modern comforts, such as heating, air conditioning, or high-performance appliances. As we progress into 2023, energy efficiency is a common theme for many homeowners who want to embrace new technologies that contribute to lower annual energy costs. Even small changes to your home can vastly improve energy efficiency.

Weatherization refers to updating your home’s existing structures to prevent wasting energy. Ultimately, it leads to improved energy conservation over time. As a part of regular maintenance, homes should be weatherized periodically, including re-sealing key areas, such as windows and doors, adding or replacing insulation in walls and attics, repairing weaknesses in the roof, and checking the performance of heating and cooling systems.

Beyond weatherization, you can remodel your space to be more energy efficient by upgrading your windows and doors to more insulative models. Choosing a new style or color also presents an opportunity to refresh the aesthetic of your home.

#2 Design a New Kitchen for Customized Functionality

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and many families find themselves gathering in this space a few times each day. That’s why, for many homeowners, remodeling the kitchen is an obvious first choice. Updating a kitchen can be involved and costly, but often results in improved and personalized functionality, greater energy efficiency, modernized aesthetics, and contributions to the home’s overall resale value.

Remodeling your home kitchen can range from small cosmetic changes, such as replacing cabinets and adding a fresh coat of paint, to more transformative projects, like rearranging the layout of cabinets and appliances or installing new flooring. Changing the layout of your kitchen can truly modernize your home and improve the functionality of the space in a way that is tailored to your family’s specific needs. However, moving plumbing hookups or certain appliances can be more complicated and expensive to achieve than may be worthwhile.

#3 Update the Bathrooms in Your Home for a Spa-Like Experience

Aside from the kitchen, bathrooms are the most commonly remodeled rooms in the home. This may be because these projects improve safety by eliminating and preventing health risks such as mildew or mold—which can build up over the years in cases of inadequate ventilation—or replacing outdated plumbing. Regardless of why homeowners opt for bathroom remodeling, the process often creates an oasis for self-care and personal wellness with the added benefit of boosting home resale value as well.

Over the years, new technologies are continually developed to make bathrooms more comfortable, improve water efficiency, and create the look and feel of a private spa retreat in your own home. New showers have a variety of flow settings as well as aromatherapy capabilities. New baths are luxuriously large, and some have massage jets to recreate the stress relief provided by a jacuzzi.

#4 Replace Outdated Flooring Throughout Your Home

If you’re looking for a remodel project that can refresh your entire home, consider replacing old flooring. Flooring materials like luxury vinyl tile come in many styles making it easy to match your existing furniture. New flooring also presents benefits such as being waterproof, scuff resistant, and durable for long-term use. Other materials, such as porcelain tiles, have been updated over the years to better suit the average household’s needs, such as having more grip or being made of eco-friendly components.

Depending on the materials you choose, when you remodel your home with new flooring, you may also have an opportunity to install an under-floor heating system for improved comfort. Heated floors can be extremely practical in areas of the home that are prone to getting wet, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways.

#5 Add a New Room to Your Home

For a large-scale transformation, consider a remodel that increases the square footage of your home. You can do so by adding a room, or mother-in-law suite, finishing an existing basement or attic, or even constructing a second story. Keep in mind that while finishing a basement or attic space does not necessarily require as much time or intrusion, projects that involve constructing new rooms or entire floors require educated architects and engineers working with the permission of local building authorities.

New Year, New Look

As 2023 approaches, you may consider creating a resolution about remodeling your home. There are so many potential benefits of doing so, like improved energy efficiency, improved functionality tailored to your needs, greater home resale value, and personalized aesthetics.

If you’re ready to start interviewing potential architects and designers for your next home renovation, get started today at The Anderson Studio! Find inspiration by viewing our portfolio. Or, contact our team to start imagining your new exciting project.

December 13, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2023-updates.jpg 531 800 clickgiant clickgiant2022-12-13 17:51:202022-12-13 18:03:135 Fresh Remodeling Ideas for 2023

How to Design the Perfect Kitchen

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Whether you’re a gourmet chef or casual cook, for many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. As the main area for socializing with family, hosting holiday get-togethers, and grabbing quick bites to eat, creating a user-friendly design here is essential. There are several factors to consider when planning a kitchen design, but this general guide should help you get started!

The Work Triangle

A well-designed kitchen is one of the best ways to add to your home’s resale value. It’s a common misconception that bigger is better, but this isn’t always the case. Whether your kitchen is large and expansive or small and compact, functionality is the key to creating a valuable design. To begin, it’s important to understand how your kitchen will be used. From there, the ultimate goal is to design a user-friendly space that makes moving, cooking, and everyday tasks a little bit easier.

Reducing the amount of space between frequently-used appliances can make cooking and cleaning up a breeze. Often, cooking involves taking produce from the refrigerator, washing it underneath the sink, using a cutting board on the counter, and transferring the ingredients to the oven. In this sequence, several appliances are used to achieve a single goal, and that’s why placing them within reach of one another can make life easier.

When designing a kitchen, this is called the “work triangle.” This design improves work efficiency in the kitchen by grouping the refrigerator, sink, and oven closely together in a triangular formation.

Kitchen Layouts

The most common layouts for a kitchen are the galley, the L-shape, and the U-shape.

The galley design features either a single run of cabinetry or two runs of parallel cabinetry. This configuration is ideal for smaller spaces but does not allow much flexibility in planning a work triangle with your appliances.

Galley kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

The L-shape is typically the standard for most kitchens. This design is formed with two adjacent walls and runs of cabinetry.

L shape kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

A U-shaped design features three adjacent walls and runs of cabinetry.

U shape kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regardless of the design you choose, you can increase your countertop space by adding a kitchen island—given there is enough space.

Moving Appliances

If you are re-designing a kitchen, some appliances may be flexible in placement, but moving sinks and dishwashers may require relocating plumbing hookups which can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, refrigerators likely won’t be flexible since they require special outlets to operate on a separate circuit, often called a dedicated outlet. This is because refrigerators require a large amount of energy to operate, typically just under the amount provided by the average electrical receptacle. If a refrigerator shares a power supply with another appliance, it may cause occasional power surges or outages.

Kitchen Lighting

Aside from the typical overhead lighting situated on the ceiling, it is often recommended to include some task lighting. For example, placing LED lights under cabinets to illuminate the countertops. You may also consider placing lights on either side of your cooktop’s ventilation hood.

Additionally, decorative lighting above a kitchen island is a great choice. The pendant light is a timeless element that can give your space more elegance while also enhancing the functionality of your island.

Discover the Possibilities

We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to design the perfect kitchen! At the Anderson Studio, our goal is to demystify the design process. Whether you’re hoping to renovate your kitchen or have an entirely new project in mind, our design team will be at your side throughout the process. Explore our portfolio today, and let us know what inspires you!

November 7, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/kitchen.jpg 684 1024 clickgiant clickgiant2022-11-07 21:28:242022-12-13 18:03:31How to Design the Perfect Kitchen

Do I Need a Designer for a Bathroom Remodel?

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Renovating your bathroom can add personality and charm to your home while enhancing aesthetics and functionality. In some cases, it can even contribute to a higher home resale value. We suspect this is why bathrooms are the second most commonly remodeled room in the home after kitchens! Whatever the inspiration, if you’re considering updating your bathroom, you’re probably wondering if it is necessary to hire a designer for the job or not. While working with a designer presents plenty of benefits, it may also have its drawbacks.

So, do you need a designer for your bathroom remodel? As it turns out, the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no! In reality, whether or not you should work with a designer is dependent on your unique circumstances. Here are a few things to consider.

How Extensive Will Your Bathroom Remodel Be?

Bathroom remodels range from simply replacing existing fixtures with more modern versions to completely gutting the space and starting over with a new layout. If your project leans towards the prior, you may not need to hire a designer to help out. However, if you picture yourself ripping down walls or moving fixtures and counters around, it may be astute to hire a designer who specializes in bath renovations.

Creating a new bathroom from scratch is not only an involved process but also requires an intimate understanding of how bathrooms need to be arranged according to your local building codes and existing plumbing. If you intend to move fixtures around for a new layout, working with a knowledgeable designer can actually help save money in the long run. That’s because moving plumbing hook-ups can be incredibly expensive. When you work with a designer, he or she will likely strive to create a space plan that places fixtures in a logical manner that will not require extensive re-plumbing.

How Far Ahead Have You Planned?

Do you already know what you want your finished bathroom to look like, or do you need a little more creative help to visualize the end results? If you find yourself confident about the way your bathroom will look by the end of your remodel, you may not need to collaborate with a designer at all. However, if you need a little more help deciding on the overall aesthetic you hope to achieve with your project, consider at least consulting with a bath designer to get their professional input.

In addition to helping you come up with a concept and general mood for your bathroom, a designer can be helpful with choosing appropriate materials and finishes for your bathroom. Since the bathroom is a space that frequently encounters moisture, certain materials are more functional and convenient than others, and an informed designer should be able to guide you through the process of selecting the right materials to fit your project’s constraints.

A designer can also be good to collaborate with to discover new resources that you otherwise might not come across, such as suppliers and vendors. Designers are typically well acquainted with other industry professionals who may be able to help out with a remodel project, including contractors, plumbers, and suppliers. While most designers will not hire these collaborators outwardly, they may provide you with recommendations, cutting down the time you need to spend researching your options.

What Type of Furniture and Decor Will You Include in Your Design

Designers typically receive a trade discount for the purchase of most furniture and decor, which they can (and should) pass on to you. Working with a designer can help curb costs if you are planning to purchase high-end furniture and decor to go into your new bathroom after it has been remodeled.

Of course, if keeping a tighter budget is a priority for your bathroom remodel, you may want the option to select and purchase furniture and decor from non-designer stores. If this is the case, there is virtually no benefit to working with a designer since they will not be able to get a discount on those items. More than that, many designers prefer to purchase decor and furniture only from upper-scale brands due to their superior quality and aesthetic.

Working with a Designer for Your Bathroom Remodel

If you have decided that it is time to hire a designer for your bathroom renovation, remember to go about the process in an organized and structured way. Do ample research on different designers, comparing their general processes and pricing to narrow down your list of potential hires. You will likely want to interview a few of your top options to get a better idea of the benefits they can provide you and what it would be like to work together.

As long as you are willing to put some time and effort into researching and finding the right designer for your bathroom remodel, teaming up with a professional will likely help keep your project timeline on track, keep costs reasonably within your budget, and lead to stunning, one-of-a-kind results.

If you’re ready to start interviewing potential designers for your bathroom renovation, get started today at The Anderson Studio! Find inspiration by viewing our portfolio, and contact our team to start imagining your new exciting project.

 

 

 

September 21, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/29-Eugeniabw2_6403-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 clickgiant clickgiant2022-09-21 19:58:272022-09-21 19:59:28Do I Need a Designer for a Bathroom Remodel?

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Architect

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Working with an architect allows you to bring your dream home to life! Yet, finding the right architect to take on your project can be a challenge. This important step ensures that the final results truly reflect your creative vision, so how can you tell whether or not a prospective hire is a right fit for your construction project? Before making a decision, interview your candidates, and remember to ask these five questions before hiring an architect.

Read more

August 24, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/profile-image.jpg 422 1003 clickgiant clickgiant2022-08-24 19:25:272022-08-24 19:28:455 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Architect

How to Design the Perfect Luxury Home Swimming Pool

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Enjoy the feeling of being on vacation year-round with a luxury swimming pool right at home. Whether you aim to recreate a spa-like experience in your backyard or want to build the perfect outdoor area for hosting friends and family, working with an experienced architect makes it possible to design the luxury pool of your dreams. Before diving right into the design process, here are some key points to consider for your next luxury home swimming pool. Or, if you’re ready to start designing the perfect luxury pool for you, contact us today!

How Do You Intend to Use Your Pool?

Kiawah Island luxury pool design by The Anderson StudioBefore designing your custom pool, ask yourself how you intend to use it. Does a pool serve as a recreational area to gather with friends and family in summer, or do you plan to reap the health benefits of going for a daily morning swim? The key to designing a luxury pool lies in planning the pool’s intended functionality and ensuring it fits your lifestyle. For the athletic swimmer, a luxury pool should include a measured lap pool, if space permits. For smaller exercise pools, it may be possible to build a swim-in-place pool.

If your plans include enjoying the occasional Jacuzzi soak, you may want a design that creates harmony between the two elements–such as creating the illusion of a floating Jacuzzi within the pool with an infinity design.

If you plan to allow kids or pets to access the pool area, you may consider safety features, such as a fence surrounding the pool to prevent younger children from inadvertently falling in. Or, you may dedicate more square footage to the shallow end of the pool.

Is a Chlorine or Salt Water Pool Better?

Luxury pool design by The Anderson StudioThere is no correct answer to this age-old question, but before building a luxury pool, you should decide whether you want to fill it with chlorinated water or all-natural water. Depending on the type of water you use, the pool requires a different filtration system to keep it clean and safe to swim in.

While chlorine has long been traditional in pool design, today it is possible to create natural pools that are filtered by natural means by incorporating living plants into the design. These all-natural pools typically have a portion for swimming as well as a separate area of plants. In this way, an all-natural pool may double as a water feature, even when it is too cold to swim.

What Technology Does Your Pool Need?

Today, just about everything can be controlled through smart home devices and automation–even various elements of your luxury pool. Smart pools can cover and uncover the water, adjust water temperature, engage cleaning systems, and turn the lights on or off. Some smart pools even add automated fountains, waterfalls, and speakers to the mix for a more luxurious ambiance while swimming.

Having routine automated pool maintenance makes it easier than ever to care for a luxury pool. It is no longer as time-consuming or costly to ensure that your pool remains in good condition. You can control and monitor many smart pool features using a smartphone for added convenience.

What Style Should I Choose?

Luxury pool design by The Anderson StudioThe ceramic of a pool is an opportunity to inject style and personality. Different colors may communicate different design styles or faux textures, such as the look of sand, which can truly add to the overall look and feel of your luxury pool. Today, the typical light blue ceramic under the pool waterline is out of fashion, and new and exciting ideas, such as darker ceramics or thematic motifs, are trending in pool design.

Another up-and-coming trend is perimeter-overflow. This pool design allows water to flow over the edge, which gives the illusion that nothing separates the pool’s surface from the surrounding horizon. Perimeter-overflow pools tend to look modern and clean, and may even appear to empty into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean.

How Will Your Pool Fit With the Rest of Your Outdoor Space?

The most stunning luxury pools blend in stylistically with the rest of the backyard. Rather than designing a new pool from scratch with no consideration for existing elements in the area, it is better to create harmony between the rest of the space and the new pool. You may want to rearrange some of the existing landscaping or update the surrounding decking to look and feel good with your new pool.

Work With an Experienced Luxury Home Architect

There are countless possibilities when designing your custom home pool and working with an experienced architect. After all, a professional can help you plan all the features you want with an eye for detail.

At The Anderson Studio of Architecture and Interior Design, our accomplished and knowledgeable team has a knack for putting your preferences, inclinations, goals, and dreams at the center of every project you desire. Contact us for any custom luxury home design questions. We can’t wait to help you with this exciting new project!

July 19, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pool-Teaser-copy.jpg 1000 1500 clickgiant clickgiant2022-07-19 14:30:352022-07-19 14:33:32How to Design the Perfect Luxury Home Swimming Pool

How to Choose a Staircase Design

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The staircase is a powerful architectural statement. Whether your home features a grand staircase or has a more private connection to the upper level, your staircase design communicates style and personality. Choosing the right style, materiality, size, and placement of your staircase can impact both the functionality and aesthetic of your overall home design. Here are the main factors to consider before you choose a staircase design for your luxury custom home. 

1. Project Budget

There are seemingly endless options for updating a staircase but, as with most home renovation projects, budget restrictions may influence the materials you end up working with and the design options you consider. Different staircase builds fall within different budget ranges, and often the best way to understand why certain models cost less or more is to ask a contractor.

2. Staircase Shape

From simple linear staircases to elegant spiral stairways, a variety of shapes and footprints are possible to build. Some of the most popular staircase design ideas include wraparound staircases, which provide a 360-degree view as you climb, winding staircases, which feature a delicate curve approaching the bottom, and elongated spiral staircases, which add a touch of opulence to any residence.

In addition to the overall layout of a staircase, it is important to consider how you intend to use the space underneath the steps. In some cases, it may be possible to leave the area underneath your staircase open. Open staircases not only preserve space underneath the staircase itself but also maintain openings between each tread. Such a design may not be ideal for homes with young children or elderly adults due to safety concerns.

If you prefer a closed staircase where the treads and risers are hidden from the side view, you may still find ways to use the space under the staircase, such as by creating a storage closet. However, keep in mind regional building codes may not permit the closed area underneath a staircase to be converted into a room, such as a bathroom, due to ceiling height constraints. Working with an experienced professional, you can find the best way to make use of the space under a closed staircase for your home.

 3. Space Allowance

Building a staircase requires careful planning to ensure the best use of space. As staircases rise, they also take up room horizontally. Depending on the amount of space available for your staircase, certain designs may fit better than others. For example, a simple, linear staircase takes up a good deal of horizontal space along the first floor while an elongated spiral staircase rise may take up only a semicircle of space along the ground floor with the majority of the structure rising above that.

An experienced architect can guide you in calculating the different options you have with your staircase layout. With their understanding of space limitations, an architect can help you make an educated decision about the best staircase shape and design to fit within a specific area of your home.

4. Household Comfort

Designing a staircase should also take comfort into account. How will it feel to climb up and down the staircase? This is especially important to consider if you plan on staying in the house through retirement. As you grow older, navigating up and down stairs may become more challenging and less comfortable. You can ensure a more comfortable staircase by opting for wider treads that allow for two-way stair traffic or by manipulating the steepness of the overall staircase. In general, closed, linear staircases are easier and safer to climb than more extravagant designs, such as spirals or wrap-around staircases.

You may also consider preparing the staircase to support extra accommodations, such as reinforcing the walls around a staircase so that they can later support a wheelchair lift later on if need be.

5. Local Code Restrictions

No matter how you hope to design your staircase, it will be necessary to comply with local building codes. These regulations exist to make sure homes and other structures are well-built and safe to use. Building codes set minimum standards for certain staircase dimensions, such as the tread depth or riser height. These minimum measurements may affect how steep your staircase can be built and how much the staircase footprint will take up horizontally across the bottom floor.

Designing a staircase is an opportunity to make an architectural statement in your home. But for a staircase to be safe and functional, it is also important to rely on careful calculations and strategic use of space.

Aside from considering how your budget and style preferences will impact your staircase design decisions, it is necessary to take into account how practical and comfortable the staircase will be to use over the years and how local building codes may limit your design options.

Build the Staircase of Your Dreams

As you can tell, there is a lot to consider before you choose a staircase design for your luxury home. Working with an experienced architect, like the Anderson Studio of Architecture and Design, can improve your overall experience of building a custom home. Our knowledgeable and accomplished team puts the client’s preferences, inclinations, goals, and dreams at the center of every project to create personalized luxury homes. When you work with a professional architect group that you can trust, you’re sure to love the way your dream home is built! Contact us for any questions or to start a new project today.

July 5, 2022/by clickgiant
https://www.theandersonstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/staircase.jpg 678 1024 clickgiant clickgiant2022-07-05 16:30:372022-07-11 15:22:14How to Choose a Staircase Design

Renovating vs New Construction: Which is Better for Your Project

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Deciding whether your building project should be approached as a renovation or a new construction can be a difficult task. In general, neither renovation nor new construction is inherently a better option for building projects. Still, depending on the scope and intention of your project, one of these options may be better suited to your needs than the other.

It is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each solution since the route you choose to take will influence the project budget, timeline, and look and feel of the final results. This post will review the pros and cons of each building method to help you determine which approach is best for you. Of course, beyond this insight, it’s important to have a conversation with your general contractor or custom home architect about the specifics of your project in order to determine the best way to complete your project.

Plan Your Project Budget

Building or updating a home is an investment that pays off over time. Aside from the day-to-day value a personalized home provides, a well executed construction project also contributes to financial gain as the property increases in value. The amount you are willing to invest in your project as well as how much you hope to recoup down the line will ultimately influence whether or not your project is best approached as a renovation or new construction.

New Construction Costs

Building a new construction involves selecting a workable plot of land, modifying the site to support a building, installing all the appropriate utilities, and planning and erecting the structure. Of course, such an inclusive scope of work requires many hours of labor and a great deal of physical materials, contributing to higher expenses.

Despite the extensive work that goes into creating a new construction, there are some cases when renovation can actually end up costing more than necessary, making it the less financially sound route for a building project.

Renovation Costs

Renovating an existing building is usually more affordable than building a new construction but this is not always the case. Renovating does not require a new plot of land or building a structure from the ground up, but there are still many responsibilities that come with remodeling that can lend to a more expensive project. Whenever you renovate a space, it is necessary to upgrade construction elements to fit current codes and regulations, sometimes including adapting the space to coincide with ADA accessibility requirements.

Unfortunately, it may not always be clear from the outset of a project which of these alterations will be required, causing unforeseen costs to crop up. While it can be difficult to predict which utilities and structures will require updating to legally satisfy building codes and regulations prior to demolition, the general rule is that older buildings typically need more updating and modification. For this reason, renovating an older construction can become costly–sometimes even more so than building a new construction altogether.

Depending on the type and intent of your renovation project, it may be possible to get grants and other financial assistance to mitigate costs. Some government agencies and other organizations offer these incentives to entice building owners to renovate an existing space since this type of project has less negative impact on the environment than creating a new construction.

Estimate Project Timelines

The amount of time required to complete a building project depends heavily on the scope of work to be done. While it is often true that new constructions require a longer timeline, there are also cases in which renovations need a flexible, long-running schedule to complete.

Duration of New Construction

By nature, creating a new construction typically involves more work to be executed, such as preparing the land for a foundation, constructing the foundation, installing utilities, erecting the structure itself, and installing furniture, fixtures, and finishes. Besides the actual construction process, each step also entails having specialized inspectors visit the site and approve work that has been completed. In total, this can lead to a lengthy timeline for a new construction to be finished and ready for occupancy.

Duration of Renovations

While renovations tend to be the more efficient option compared to new constructions, these projects may also take longer than expected to successfully complete. Renovation projects can make use of existing construction elements as long as they are deemed sufficiently up to code, which serves as a shortcut to completing the project overall. However, in cases where renovations uncover constructions that do not conform with current codes and regulations or the use of potentially dangerous building materials, it can take longer to complete renovation projects.

For example, if during a renovation lead paint, asbestos, or other harmful materials are discovered, it is necessary to halt construction until the potential danger has been successfully abated. This often means including an additional step in the process that was not originally anticipated, lengthening the construction timeline overall.

Consider the Feel and Function of Your Home

With the right elements, a renovated or newly constructed building is functional and aesthetic, making the investment of your time and money well worthwhile. Depending on whether you approached your projects as a renovation or new construction can influence the final outcome of your project, ultimately impacting how you feel about the results.

Designing a new building from scratch provides you the most control over its end look and feel. As long as your design abides by building codes and regulations, it is possible to dream up and construct anything that suits your functionality needs and aesthetic preferences. New constructions are far less limited in creating a specialized layout or unique look than renovation projects because there is opportunity to plan every aspect of the new construction, including selecting all of the materials that go into the building.

While renovations typically present an opportunity to save on your initial investment and shorten the construction timeline, these projects are limited in their ability to transform the way a space looks and feels. To some extent, it may be possible to eliminate or move walls during a renovation, but the existing structure will have some influence over the way your project turns out. Of course, depending on the way you intend to use the finished space and the aesthetic you hope to achieve, a renovation may still sufficiently update and alter a space to enhance functionality and create a fresh presentation.

Work With an Experienced Custom Home Architect

Working with an experienced luxury custom home architect like the Anderson Studio of Architecture and Design can improve your overall experience of building a custom home. Our knowledgeable and accomplished team puts the client’s preferences, inclinations, goals, and dreams at the center of every project to create personalized luxury homes. When you work with a professional architect group that you can trust, you’re sure to love the way your dream home is built! Contact us for any questions or to start a new project today.

May 6, 2022/by clickgiant
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Benefit of Using a Custom Home Architect in South Carolina

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Working with a custom home architect enables you to make your dream home a reality! Collaborating with an experienced professional you can trust enables you to better understand the design and construction process and make informed decisions along the way.

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April 14, 2022/by clickgiant
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How to Make a Custom Home Design Checklist

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Building a custom home empowers you to customize every detail of your home to fit your lifestyle. But a lot goes into designing a home, and with so many considerations to take into account the process can be overwhelming. Avoid the stress by planning ahead with a custom home design checklist!

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March 7, 2022/by clickgiant
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