Thinking of adding a room to your home because it’s feeling a bit cramped with your growing family? Then room addition can be a good solution, but do yourself a favor and avoid the stress associated with construction projects by doing your homework. The toughest part of embarking on a room addition project is choosing the right general contractor. Once that’s behind you, the rest of the job will be smooth sailing.
Gather Your Ideas for Design & Materials
Have a clear idea about what you want, download images, take pictures or go through interior design websites and magazines. Gather these materials and share them to the general contractors.
Ask Around Before Choosing
Ask friends and family to recommend tried-and-trusted general contractors, get in touch with the contractor and ask to see samples of their work, ask for their credentials, talk to them face to face in order to make sure they understand your ideas and be clear and precise, no room for guessing here.
Watch Out for Warning Signs
If the contractor gives you an estimate before getting the details, accepts only cash, tries to skip the building permit, tries to beat around the legal requirements or tries to use leftover or sub-standard materials, then you should raise the red flags.
Be Frank About Your Budget
Making it clear on the onset that you have a specific budget to work within, and that you don’t intend to go overboard, will save you a lot of headache later.
Get it Down in Black and White
Draw a room addition/ home improvement contract that enumerates the exact job you want done and the price. Having it in writing will allow you and your contractor to fully understand the scope and cost of the project agreed upon. Don’t be sparing with the details; the more precise, the better.
Check for License and Insurance
You should ask for proof of a license and insurance before hiring a general contractor or you can do an online license check in Orange County. Insurance will cover property damage and injuries caused by the contractor’s work. Make sure the general contractor’s insurance includes workers’ compensation, which covers injuries the contractor’s employees may suffer while doing work on site. Greater Pacific Construction is a licensed and insured general contractor in Orange County.
Ask for Receipts
Always ask for receipt for any materials bought and check for yourself that the right material is being used. Transparency is what makes Greater Pacific Construction –Residential one of the most trusted residential general contractors in Orange County.
Be in Touch
Maintain regular communication with your contractor during the execution of the job and check on the progress of the construction regularly. Be prepared for surprises and allow for 10 -15% increase over the estimated budget, but not more. Also make arrangements for the contractor’s crew to have easy access to the materials and supplies.
Don’t Make the Full Payment Upfront
Pay minimum partial payment up front. to a minimum and settle the remaining amount when the job has been completed to your satisfaction. Alternatively, you can negotiate to pay in thirds– 1/3 up front, the other in the middle and the rest upon completion of the project.
Greater Pacific Construction, the most trusted general contractor in Orange County, has years of experience in general contracting and have successfully completed all types of room additions. Our room addition services include architectural and engineering design, obtaining city permits, foundation, footing, forming, shoring, retaining walls, framing, HVAC systems, plumbing, drainage piping, electrical works, main panel, light fixtures, siding, insulation, drywall, plastering, taping, painting and much more.
- Kitchen extension
- Two-story extensions
- Bedroom addition
- Family bathroom addition
- Second story extensions
- Sun rooms
- California room
- Garage conversion
- Dormer addition
- Bump out addition.
Greater Pacific Construction is a full-service general contracting company with decades of experience in building room additions in Orange County. Call us at (949) 749-5250 or fill out our Contact Form.
