Building an addition for your senior relatives is a very big project that requires a lot of decisions to be made, and a lot of time and effort from you, members of your family, and your contractor.
Getting ready for this kind of home improvement requires planning. You’ll need to know what your needs are, and of course, it’s important to pick the right contractor. In this article, we’ll talk about the planning for an in-law apartment, so you’re ready when the time comes.
Make Plans Before Meeting With Your Contractor
Before you meet with a contractor to discuss your home improvement, work out a plan with your senior relative to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Find out the answers to basic questions like:
- Will we eat meals together?
- Will we both park in the driveway?
- What (if any) living areas will we share?
- Will your senior relative have a pet?
- Will we share expenses?
Answering these questions will help make planning the in-law apartment easier. For example, if you plan to eat some meals together but not all, then it’s easy to deduce that your senior relative will want space to prepare some of their own meals. They will likely want a kitchenette for their space.
Have long conversations with your senior relative. Write things down as they’re said, to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Vet Multiple Contractors
It’s vitally important to find the right contractor for your project. Vet multiple contractors on-site to discuss your upcoming addition. Ask each contractor questions such as:
- How much experience do you have building an addition of this type?
- Do you have references who have had an addition built onto their home?
- When could you start work?
- What challenges would you anticipate encountering during this project?
- What would you do to avoid those challenges or to keep the project moving?
Once you’ve found a contractor for your project, read the contract thoroughly before beginning work.
Make a Budget
Make a budget for your project so you know how much you can afford to spend on this kind of addition. Know how much you can afford to spend before meeting with contractors. This will make it easier to determine whether this kind of home improvement is realistic for you.
Once you’ve met with contractors, they will be able to give you a quote. Don’t let the price determine who you hire – the lowest cost contractor is not always the best contractor. A good quality contractor should charge a fair but realistic price for your addition. Be wary of contractors that cut corners to keep prices low. You may save money upfront but could pay for low-quality work in the long run.
Building an Addition for Your Senior Relative? Contact Diamond Hill Builders
At Diamond Hill Builders, we help homeowners like you transform their homes into functional, attractive spaces. Call today to get started on your home improvement project.
