NW Additions

09/15/2021

This is the first discussion in a series of short videos I'm creating. I talk about the importance of a lighting plan when designing your home addition.

In this video I talk about the importance of having a lighting plan. This topic may not sound very exciting but it's extremely important when developing yo...

09/15/2021

Check out future videos on Youtube.

Our specialty at NW Additions is helping our clients solve their livings space through the expansion of their home. If you're thinking of expanding your hom...

09/06/2021

It's not uncommon for important details such lighting placement to get lost in the design process. There are a multitude of details that go into a good design and often a lighting plan is not thoroughly analyzed until the construction begins. Or even worse, it's not fully considered until after the....

08/04/2021

Is it just a backyard studio?

The options to build a detached backyard studio are endless. Because of COVID the new work paradigm has created a boom in office related products and the "office shed" has been no exception. To a lesser degree there has also been an increase in demand for other types of backyard studios. The permit process is much faster for a small detached structure and in most cities you are looking at a couple of weeks vs. a few months when compared to a regular addition.
There are a few companies that provide an "off the shelf" design you can order online. These can be customized to a high degree and you can order a variety of interior components with these sheds such as lighting, flooring, air conditioning, heating, electrical panel, insulation type, windows and doors. What most studio builders do not provide is the insulation, drywall, and installation. If you're purchasing a studio from a manufacturer out of state it's important to understand you're not purchasing a turn-key installation unless you use their service provider.
There are a lot of moving pieces during the build, shipment, and installation from an "off the shelf" manufacturing but the more reputable companies are adept at project managing the entire process.
There are many things to consider when building a studio in your backyard and chances are it may not be that simple. The average backyard studio is between 120 to 150 square feet but the sky is the limit when it comes to options and size. It may not be just a backyard structure after all. From a turnkey perspective our preference is to hire a local design and builder but you can also find solid products built out of state. By understanding your needs and working with a company you trust you can often get your new backyard studio installed within a couple weeks once the permit has been issued. Good luck!

07/22/2021

Minimize the inconvenience....

During a major home renovation many people choose to reside elsewhere until the major work is complete. However, if you decide to stay in your home during a large-scale remodel it's good to plan ahead so you can minimize your level of inconvenience. Your contractor or design-builder can help you develop a plan to avoid some of the daily disruptions that are certain to occur. For example, if you plan on a major kitchen remodel you will need a temporary kitchen located somewhere else within your home.....unless you plan to eat out a lot.
Are you having bathrooms renovated? Be sure to always have one functioning shower, toilet, and sink. This seems intuitive but the list of home renovation fumbles is amazingly long. Your contractor or builder should also provide a plan for dust and debris mitigation. If you have concerns about workers in your home during the pandemic it's good to have an agreed upon mask policy. Having people in and around your home for 2-3 months is usually not very convenient. If you work with your contractor/builder and develop a plan you can minimize the disruption to your daily life during the construction process.

Our goal is to optimize your total experience throughout the entire remodeling process.  We believe an optimal experience for our clients is a process that is smooth and worry-free.  It also means their project completes on-time and on-budget.  How is our process different from other companies? ....

07/20/2021

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/19/why-homebuyers-arent-seeing-savings-from-falling-lumber-prices.html

Lumber prices are falling sharply, but the savings are not yet trickling down to the retail market.

07/15/2021

How Much Will Your Project Cost?

It's the age-old question when it comes to large-scale home improvement. If you don't have an open and direct discussion on this topic with your architect or designer it will likely result in surprises you won't like. By working with your architect or designer-builder you should be able to clearly identify your total cost before the project begins. More projects incur cost overruns and delays in schedule because direct conversations didn't happen at the beginning of the project. When you have completed the design phase your architect or construction company should be able provide you with a fixed price for your project. It's important to work with a company you trust when it comes to discussions on total cost. Where can you get a rough estimate of cost before you talk with an industry professional? A great place to get a ballpark estimate is https://www.remodeling.hw.net where you can sign up to view a "cost vs. value" report of remodel projects in your city. Keep in mind this is only a ballpark type of estimate. In order to maximize your project's success be sure to review and understand the process of getting firm pricing before you proceed with your project

05/31/2021

Thank you to those who have served and those who are currently serving!

05/22/2021

05/16/2021

All we can say is "ouch!". Is it time to postpone your project? Probably not, but it's a good idea to work with your designer to optimize lumber usage in your home addition design.

05/15/2021

This fantastic bookshelf in the new family room has teamed up with Alexa.

05/12/2021

Expanding a split level home? It's a good opportunity to address lack of natural light and open up your floor plan.