Getting a Custom Addition
– for Less
Many older homes in our area are post World War II designs that lack a second story. That's why many of our remodeling projects involve adding that second story – sometimes called a "pop-top" addition – to create a master bedroom suite plus a hall bath and extra bedrooms. It's a great solution for more living space, but it's also a major renovation that can require a substantial budget and moving out of your home during a portion of the work.
That's what got us interested in exploring another option: modular additions.
Surprised that a remodeling firm with "design" in our name would even suggest a "pre-fab" solution? Well, there's a big difference between being pre-fabricated and being "cookie cutter". So while today's modular additions may be fabricated at a factory, they are custom designed by us the same way we do all our remodeling work: with care, personalization, quality materials, high-end finishes and careful integration with the rest of the home. From Italian tile to Kohler fixtures, the modular additions we build look just as beautiful as the additions we build on site. There are, however, some significant advantages.
Quicker, greener and less expensive
As with any remodeling project, we work with you to develop a design you love and help you make all the selections for fixtures and finishes.
  From there, the modules needed to create your own unique addition are assembled at a specialized factory in Pennsylvania by experts who follow our exact plans and specifications. There are no weather delays, missing materials or subcontractor issues to navigate so construction flies! Once the modules arrive at your home, a crane lifts the pieces into place and Winn Design's construction team again takes over. Instead of being out of your home for several months, it might be just a week or two – which can save you a lot of money. In some cases, you may not even need to move out.
Like all the additions we design, our modular projects are energy efficient with tight seals, Energy Star equipment and high-efficiency windows. Plus, construction waste is greatly reduced and factory assembly can fulfill key components of green building certifications.
On average, modular construction can cut costs by 10-15%. This means your remodeling budget stretches further to buy you more features, higher-end finishes and just more "wow" in your addition.
The photos in this article give you an idea of the "before and after" on 2 of our projects. We also have a short video showing one of our modular additions getting lifted into place.
Email us at remodel@winndesign.com for our fact sheet on Custom Modular Additions covering everything from the timeline to the 10-year warranty.
Maintenance Tip: Just Add Water – But Not Too Much
Using less water in your landscaping and garden saves both money and a valuable resource. Here are some ideas for reducing the water needed in your yard:
- Plan your landscaping using native plants as well as alternatives to grass, such as gravel, rocks, mulch and paths;
- Group plants by their water requirements, keeping those that need more moisture in shady areas of the yard;
- To decrease evaporation, water when it's cool (early in the day but not at night, which encourages fungus and mildew) and use mulch;
- Set your mower as high as possible to leave grass longer, which shades the roots and reduces evaporation.
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See you next month!
Mike Winn |
