Expanding your property...

[CEE1NG_RED]

For those that actually paid to expand his/her home/property... How much did you end up paying? I am thinking of expanding 500-600 additional sq/ft at the backyard since the backyard is pretty big (with this expansion includes an additional bathroom and family room) on a single story home. So far, I got quoted $80k-$100k... Is this the average cost? I'll go call around tomorrow for more quotes. Anyone have a reference to refer to? I am doing this expansion the legit way w/ permits. Thanks in advance.

[Killer95Stang]

You are going to get quotes all over the board. I would meet with the contractors and ask for references where you can go out and see his/her work. Then actually follow through and talk with someone who used that contractor. I would say the quote you get will be for the basics. Start adding personal tastes on bathrooms and living spaces (ie... nicer tile, wood floors..ect) and the prices will skyrocket.

I'm only speaking from doing a little research on my next step with our home. Recently I decided just to hold off until we actually have equity, before we start sinking any major money into the house. As we speak, I am having wood floors installed throughout the house, all new molding / crown and a couple cabinets made. I relocated my washer and dryer out of my kitchen area and should start a full bathroom remodel in the next month or so. Almost forgot the landscaping to the front yard, with sprinklers being installed in the backyard. HOUSES ARE MONEY PITS

[CEE1NG_RED]

You are going to get quotes all over the board. I would meet with the contractors and ask for references where you can go out and see his/her work. Then actually follow through and talk with someone who used that contractor. I would say the quote you get will be for the basics. Start adding personal tastes on bathrooms and living spaces (ie... nicer tile, wood floors..ect) and the prices will skyrocket.

I'm only speaking from doing a little research on my next step with our home. Recently I decided just to hold off until we actually have equity, before we start sinking any major money into the house. As we speak, I am having wood floors installed throughout the house, all new molding / crown and a couple cabinets made. I relocated my washer and dryer out of my kitchen area and should start a full bathroom remodel in the next month or so. Almost forgot the landscaping to the front yard, with sprinklers being installed in the backyard. HOUSES ARE MONEY PITS

Ahhh...I see. Well, I'm not really concerned about them having to do tiles or wooden floors since the fiance knows how to do that (since she she helped her older bros. install tiles and vinyl wooden floors @ the Ontario home). I'm mainly concerned about them doing the foundation, framing, windows & doors, and roofing. I can do the interior myself and my dad is pretty handy w/ the electricals. I just want the shell to be done and I can do the interior... LMK what's up w/ your expansion and what contractor/builders you choose to expand your house.

[OttoCobra]

For those that actually paid to expand his/her home/property... How much did you end up paying? I am thinking of expanding 500-600 additional sq/ft at the backyard since the backyard is pretty big (with this expansion includes an additional bathroom and family room) on a single story home. So far, I got quoted $80k-$100k... Is this the average cost? I'll go call around tomorrow for more quotes. Anyone have a reference to refer to? I am doing this expansion the legit way w/ permits. Thanks in advance.

Don't be afraid to ask the contractors lots of questions....:pouce:


Seriously.....( before signing final contract, get a final finish date in writing. Discuss monetary penalties that graduate by the week. ) :D

[CEE1NG_RED]

Don't be afraid to ask the contractors lots of questions....:pouce:


Seriously.....( before signing final contract, get a final finish date in writing. Discuss monetary penalties that graduate by the week. ) :D

Most def. Jeff... I will type up a contract w/ set deadlines and given penalties if it is not finish @ a realistic time frame. I just found out yesterday from a friend that had 2 friends that had expansion done; one friend had 2 beds and a bathroom done for $60k while another had done a 2nd story home extension w/ bath for $80k w/ permits. So, with this I am a bit relieved.

[Killer95Stang]

Most def. Jeff... I will type up a contract w/ set deadlines and given penalties if it is not finish @ a realistic time frame. I just found out yesterday from a friend that had 2 friends that had expansion done; one friend had 2 beds and a bathroom done for $60k while another had done a 2nd story home extension w/ bath for $80k w/ permits. So, with this I am a bit relieved.

Second story for $80K seems low. I would take a straight edge and plumb bob to his house and look for yourself. Sometimes going with a low bidder can bite you in the ass. Example... 7-10 years ago my uncle got a bid for $150K for a second story with major remodel... second bid was $130K... third bid was $90K... guess which one he chose:angry2: House looks nice, but not one wall in that house is straight...

[CEE1NG_RED]

Second story for $80K seems low. I would take a straight edge and plumb bob to his house and look for yourself. Sometimes going with a low bidder can bite you in the ass. Example... 7-10 years ago my uncle got a bid for $150K for a second story with major remodel... second bid was $130K... third bid was $90K... guess which one he chose:angry2: House looks nice, but not one wall in that house is straight...

Not one wall was straight?? Did he monitor the construction and input flaws like this on a written contract to maybe lessen the quote/bid? And were these w/ permits and inspected?

[Killer95Stang]

Not one wall was straight?? Did he monitor the construction and input flaws like this on a written contract to maybe lessen the quote/bid? And were these w/ permits and inspected?

You don't add a second story without inspections or permits.... things like that don't go without being noticed by the city. Inspectors don't give a shit if the wall is 1/4-1/2" off. They are worried if it support the weight intended, or it will fall down. That 1/4-1/2" becomes important when you start putting in crown molding, or when your standard sized counter top or cabinets cost extra because they have to trim them to fit the wall.

You can be as anal as you want while acting as your own Project Manager..... What exactly do you do when they are half way through a project and things start going south? Sure... you can threaten to sue them... but what do you do for the six months while you wait to go to court and your house is still half way done. Most new contractors do not want to come into a job and fix someone elses problems. If they do, they will charge you extra just to fix it.

I'm not trying to discourage you from getting a good price. But if you are as anal as you appear to be, then getting the best price may not be good enough. Why don't you take your beloved Cobra to Pep Boys for all your mods? Sure, they could slap on an intake or change your oil... but what will they fuck up while they have it?

[OttoCobra]

Valid points against the lowballerz.


-These are tough times, it's possible a quality builder might put in a "low" bid just to keep on working though, "these days."

:shrug: "beware" ... captain obvious is neAr :laugh:

[5litrarag]

Why buy a house that are already planning to add onto? :shrug:

Just buy a house that is the right size in the first place whether by original builder or by later contstruction.

You are opening up a can of worms JUST by opening the walls. So you can get "low" or "high" estimates until you're blue in the face, but until then its just an estimate.
Since you dont own anything yet, the best bet would be to just buy what you want now instead of planning to dump a bunch of cash into a house you just purchased. Sure it'll cost more every month but believe me when I tell you living in a house you are trying to do any construction that is more extensive than a bath or kitchen remodel is gonna be a pain in the ass. I watched a buddy go through it a few years ago and he now knows it would have been all around easier to just sell and buy another house.

[userob]

thats a 30--75 grand job, depending on materials, size and extras. Simple add rooom...dont be fooled. Also, your expanded square foot falls into another property tax bracket. Just depends how much you expand; school districts, fire, police and your local crime rate seem to be the assholes that tax the shet out of you every time.

[CEE1NG_RED]

thats a 30--75 grand job, depending on materials, size and extras. Simple add rooom...dont be fooled. Also, your expanded square foot falls into another property tax bracket. Just depends how much you expand; school districts, fire, police and your local crime rate seem to be the assholes that tax the shet out of you every time.

Why buy a house that are already planning to add onto? :shrug:

Just buy a house that is the right size in the first place whether by original builder or by later contstruction.

You are opening up a can of worms JUST by opening the walls. So you can get "low" or "high" estimates until you're blue in the face, but until then its just an estimate.
Since you dont own anything yet, the best bet would be to just buy what you want now instead of planning to dump a bunch of cash into a house you just purchased. Sure it'll cost more every month but believe me when I tell you living in a house you are trying to do any construction that is more extensive than a bath or kitchen remodel is gonna be a pain in the ass. I watched a buddy go through it a few years ago and he now knows it would have been all around easier to just sell and buy another house.

Yea...I had explained this to her a few times, but since LAUSD is on thin ice. Buying a average size home (1000sqft - 1200sqft living space) for a single income is manageable as long as there is a big lot at the back to expand. Even if we did spend the $100k on additions for a single story home, it would still be $20k-$30k less than buying a home that's already big w/ a small backyard. At the end like you said, is it really worth it to do this and expand a home and deal w/ the hassle. In some cases it is, depending on your stand in life. The house market price value is not going down any further and this year is a great opp. to buy.


$300k - $375k home w/ about $2200-$2400/month (not including utilities) or $400k - $450k home w/ about $2700-$3000/month (not including utilities). At this rate, we are both comfortable with any home under $350k and still be able to splurge on ourselves and travel. Who knows, in 5-10 years of side savings for the house, we can expand. Anyways, you both have been helpful and I appreciate the input.

[userob]

Try an over 500 K house, and you be amazed how quick you learn to save money. HA HA HA

I drive home in a few minutes and not hours like most turkeys out past the LA County line.