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Home Improvements

Builders in Framingham – For Porches, Decks, Patios, Home Additions & More

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As Christmas draws near, you may want to surprise someone with the gift of home improvement. Having a deck added onto the home, remodeling the kitchen, or adding a home addition for some much needed extra space can make the entire family’s life a little better. Obviously you won’t have the project completed before the holiday, but there’s still time to connect with a builder in Framingham and get those arrangements in place so you can surprise your loved ones by having the home improvement already planned.

Here are some of the most popular home improvements available from builders in Framingham:

Home additions: Families grow but houses stay the same size. If you’ve had lots of children, have adult children living at home, need a place for your parents to live, or are trying to fit a home business under the family roof, the odds are pretty good you need more space. Home additions can be built on the first floor, or if your lot’s unique configuration won’t allow for that, you can build up, choosing a second or even third story addition.

Finishing the basement: Converting the basement into useable living or storage space is another very popular Framingham home remodel. In many cases, the basement is underutilized space because it’s dark, dingy, and never set up for regular use. Working with a builder in Framingham, it’s easy to overcome these challenges and turn this wasted space into exactly what your family needs.

Porches, Patios, Decks, and Sunrooms: Outdoor living continues to be a very strong trend regionally, especially as families opt to spend more time closer to home rather than traveling. Sunrooms and three season porches provide additional space the family can enjoy through almost the entire year; porches, patios, and decks boost curb appeal while providing a setting for outdoor entertaining.

3 Top Home Additions in Framingham, MA

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“After we had the entire family here for Thanksgiving, it’s clear that we just don’t have enough space anymore,” Dawn said. “Our youngest is still living at home, and my Mom just moved in. Obviously, we’re family, we’re going to make it work – but it would be a lot easier to make it work with a home addition!”

Adding living space, storage space, and space for a home business are among the top reasons families have home additions built in Framingham, MA. There are many different types of home addition, with three particular types popular locally:

The First Floor Addition: By far the most common type of home addition, the first floor addition adds space to the home by expanding the home’s footprint. This type of addition is particularly useful when you’re seeking to create living space for older family members or anyone who has mobility concerns; a first floor addition removes the need for stairs. First floor additions can also be part of extensive kitchen remodels, or used to house a home business.

The Second Story Addition: There are times when expanding the home’s footprint is not an option. When the home is too close to property lines, or trees and landscape features preclude building, the need for extra space forces homeowners to build up. Second and third story additions are useful for providing extra living and storage space. In the Framingham area, second story additions are most often built to house master suites, bedrooms, and for storage.

The Sunroom: Whether you’re having a sunroom built on your deck or as a home addition, you’re gaining a beautiful, open space to enjoy with your family and friends. Sunrooms can transform a summertime deck into a area you can use year round, and are great for families who have kids that need room to play. Pets love sunrooms too!

Sunrooms & Additions: Extra Living Space Can Be Beautiful

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As general contractors in Framingham, MA, we’ve noticed that there are 3 primary reasons people add sunrooms and additions to their home. They all have to do with a need for extra space, and a change in a family’s lifestyle.

Addition Reason #1: More Family Members Under One Roof

Whether it’s a new baby, an adult child moving home, or your parents or in-laws joining your household, more family members living under one roof can create a serious need for more space. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to have your Framingham, MA general contractors build an addition with a separate entrance that can function as a separate set of living quarters, or you may want to have the addition integrated into the general floor plan of the home.

Addition Reason #2: Someone’s Working From Home

If you’ve started your own business, work remotely, or have a consulting business on the side, it’s a good idea to have a distinct work space within your home. Depending on your profession, space may be needed to store and secure equipment, inventory and files; some businesses have specific plumbing or electrical needs that can be integrated into your addition plans.

Addition Reason #3: Retirement

Retirement can result in being around the house a whole lot more – and that’s when you start realizing how small home is, especially considering all of the things you want to do now that you have time to do them. Sunrooms are especially popular for retirees who pursue creative or artistic interests; additions can be tailor built for a specific purpose, such as a fitness studio, home theater, workshop, sewing room or more.

The best home additions are a marriage of form and function – beautiful spaces that accommodate your interests and family’s needs. If there’s no space to build out, consider building up: second and third story additions provide a lot of extra room!

A Framingham General Contractor for Kitchen Upgrade & Attached Deck

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“This may not be the biggest renovation project in the history of mankind, but it’s the largest one I’ve ever tackled,” Annie said. “When we bought this house, I knew it would need a whole kitchen makeover. And with the amazing backyard we have, I want a deck that comes right off of the kitchen, so we can enjoy our meals and the view at the same time.” Finding the right construction professional to make the project happen took a little bit of work on Annie’s part. “When you go to a kitchen place, they’re happy to talk to you about tile and drawer pulls and whatnot, but when you talk about taking out walls and building a deck, their eyes glaze over. One sales clerk told me, “Lady, what you need is a general contractor.”

A general contractor oversees and is responsible for all aspects of a complex home remodel. They may not do all of the work themselves – many general contractors subcontract electrical or plumbing work to reputable licensed professionals – but they are the one who’s responsible for making sure the job gets done on time, budget, and to the highest quality.

“For us, having a well built, comfortable deck was an essential aspect of this kitchen upgrade,” Annie explained. “When we were searching for Framingham general contractors, we asked to see examples of the decks they built as well as their kitchen projects. To get the job, we needed someone who could deliver on both ends of the job. I didn’t want the deck to be treated as an afterthought or add on.”

The trend for outdoor living is expected to continue in the Framingham region, as enjoying our area’s natural beauty makes sense for young families, retired couples, and everyone in between. If you’re considering a home renovation or want a deck to serve as a comfortable entertainment zone for your friends, give us a call. We’d be happy to help.

Most Popular Home Improvements in Framingham MA

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Every year, Realtor.com tracks which home improvements are the most popular, making special note of which improvements do the most to improve the value of the home and which contribute the most to homeowner satisfaction. The report echoes much of what we see on an everyday basis as Framingham building contractors: kitchen renovations top the list, followed by bathroom upgrades. Both of these choices make a lot of sense, as these rooms see a lot of use, and are subject to fashion trends that can make a room feel out of date and obsolete – if you’ve ever walked into a kitchen that hasn’t been redone since the 1980’s, you’ll understand what we’re talking about.

Other popular Framingham MA home improvements include room additions and having a porch or deck added to the home. Both of these improvements deliver more space for the family to enjoy. The trend toward outdoor living definitely drives the desire for porches and decks: these spaces are ideal for relaxing, entertaining, and cooking. Today’s high tech composite decking materials means you can have a very attractive, durable deck for the same prices as an old-fashioned wood deck – and you never have to worry about your deck warping, wearing out, or needing time consuming scrubbing, staining, and other maintenance.

It’s never too early to begin talking with your Framingham home improvement company. They can help you plan your project, determine a realistic budget and timeline, and make design suggestions to maximize the enjoyment you get from your renovation project.

Growing Families Need Space: Framingham Bedroom Addition

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The number one reason homeowners in Framingham have a bedroom addition built is a serious need for more space. Families grow in two ways – new babies join a family, and the kids in the family grow up – sometimes brothers who could share a room when they were four and five really, really can’t when they’re fourteen and fifteen! Having a bedroom addition put on to ensure the new baby has some space, or to give everyone a little elbow room, promotes family harmony.

It may not be your kids who need the space. Increasing numbers of Western Massachusetts homeowners are having one or both of their parents move in with them. This happens for a number of reasons. Sometimes there are financial or health concerns to be addressed; other times, having everyone living under the same roof may be the best way for grandparents and grandchildren to truly know each other. You can love your parents or in-laws very much and still find it uncomfortable to have them sleeping right next to your own bedroom: having a bedroom addition built on can give everyone some much needed privacy.

If your children are still living at home when they have children of their own, extra space is essential. As Framingham building contractors, we often build first floor additions that are complete small homes in themselves. In addition to a nice pair of bedrooms, these additions can have kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces included in the design. A separate entrance is a nice touch much appreciated by grandparents who didn’t mind outgrowing getting up in time for the school bus!

Whatever your reason, you want your new bedroom addition to be spacious, well built and comfortable. To see samples of our work and discover what it will cost to add a lovely bedroom addition to your Framingham home, give us a call. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions.