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REMODELING

Remodeling, although overall is less expensive as building an entirely new home, the specific project itself can be more costly due to labor.  There many other factors in addition to new construction that are often overlooked by clients.  There are costs associated with:

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  • Demo (time spent removing and undoing existing structure, extra waste, trash haul off)

  • Precautionary preparations to seal off and protect existing areas that are not being remodeled

  • Retro-fitting new construction to existing structures

  • Unknown and unforeseen items that need to be upgraded to accommodate new code requirements

  • More frequent cleanup of the work area

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Advantages & Disadvantages of Remodeling:

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  • Relocation not usually required

  • Work can be completed in stages and in an overall shorter timeframe

  • Less expensive overall as only a portion of the home is being transformed

  • Living in messy and noisy conditions

  • Subcontractors constantly in your home

  • Finding surprises and unforeseen changes required to accomplish end result

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WORDS OF WISDOM

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?... Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,... Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

 

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- Luke 14:28-30 (King James Version)

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The professionalism, advocacy in handling all details, and the brilliant suggestions.

I highly recommend for the best service and guidance.

- Jane N., Mon Feb 11 2019



 

For a list of references please

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DESIGN

Design is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object, system or measurable human interaction (as in architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, business processes, circuit diagrams, and sewing patterns).  Designing often necessitates considering the aesthetic, functional, economic, and sociopolitical dimensions of both the design object and design process. It may involve considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design. 


Another definition for design is a roadmap or a strategic approach for someone to achieve a unique expectation. It defines the specifications, plans, parameters, costs, activities, processes and how and what to do within legal, political, social, environmental, safety and economic constraints in achieving that objective.


Thus "design" may be a substantive referring to a categorical abstraction of a created thing or things (the design of something), or a verb for the process of creation as is made clear by grammatical context. It is an act of creativity and innovation as well as an expression of emotion and personality.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

I often and almost always hear the question:  How much can you build me a house for? or What's your price per square foot? These are relative and very general questions that cannot be answered easily, especially when building a custom home.  

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For example, cost per square foot is calculated as total area under roof or TAUR. Clients usually do not think this way and have been misguided to think only in terms of air conditioned living space. Although living space is another way to calculate value, it is usually more useful for the HVAC industry, the insulation industry and/or realtors.


More recently, outdoor living spaces and larger garages have become increasingly desireable, are also getting more costly and in some cases are more costly to build than indoor living spaces.  Also, with relation to the cost (or price) of building a house depends on other factors such as:

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  • Lot / land cost

  • Carrying costs (closing costs, construction loan interest, utilities, etc.)

  • Contracting fees (general contractor fee, permits, etc.)  


These costs are not always the same from project to project and will vary with:

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  • Location (permit fees, impact fees, land prep & excavation, accessibility to trades)

  • Architectural design (architect fees and engineering requirements)

  • Interest rates

  • Current cost of materials

  • Type of construction (foundation specifications, wall & ceiling (plate) dimensions)

  • Finish-out materials (window & door specifications, fireplaces, cabinetry trim & paint detail, etc.)  

  • Supply and demand of skilled labor

  • Complexity of the project

  • Changes during construction 

 

Advantages & Disadvantages of New Construction:

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  • Location and orientation can be selected

  • More customized layouts

  • New technology and materials

  • Do not have to live with construction activities

  • More expensive overall as you are starting from scratch

  • Takes longer to complete

  • Proximity and travel time to check on project

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