Category: Additions
Portland Remodel Recovery: Rescuing a Home Addition From Shoddy Work
Imagine hiring a contractor to add a second story to your home, only to discover halfway through that the entire project has no permits, is structurally unsafe, and could collapse at any moment. This scenario was the reality for one of our clients, whose lives (and nearly their home) were turned upside-down after hiring a…
6 Common Challenges of Building an Addition in Lake Oswego
You love your Lake Oswego home, but it’s time for a change. Whether it’s due to a growing family, a change in lifestyle, or simply the need for more living space, the time has come to build an addition. However, before you go hiring a contractor to start designing the plans, you want to know…
ADU vs. Home Addition: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to home improvement projects that involve making major changes to your home, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and home additions are among the most common. However, while many people will use ADUs and home additions interchangeably, they are actually two different types of home improvement projects that accomplish different goals. Understanding the difference…
What is the Difference Between a Kit and a Custom Build?
Building a new structure, whether it’s a detached garage, an addition to your home, or even a new dwelling, presents some challenging choices. For many homeowners, these decisions are often swayed by initial cost comparisons. At a glance, $50,000 for a prefabricated kit seems like a steal compared to spending hundreds of thousands for a…
Can I Convert My Garage into Living Space? Yes. Here’s How.
In the world of home remodeling, one trend is steadily gaining traction among homeowners: the conversion of garages into living space. This approach not only addresses the growing need for additional square footage in the household but also offers a creative and cost-effective solution to expanding your living area without the complexities of building a…
What is the Return on Investment of a Home Addition?
Homeowners often grapple with the decision to expand or modify their homes. The uncertainties lie not just in the construction itself, but in the assurance that their investment will add tangible value to their property. Indeed, the question at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds is: Will this home addition deliver a return on investment…
Home Addition Cost Breakdown
Undertaking a home addition is a great way to increase the living space in your home. However, for many homeowners, the looming questions about cost can be daunting. How much will the addition set you back? More importantly, how do you know every dollar of your budget is being well spent? Getting a clear insight…
How to Add Space to Your Home Without Doing an Addition
Every homeowner at some point contemplates the age-old question: how can I get more space out of my home? Whether you’re craving a new home office, a dedicated play area for the kids, or just some extra room to breathe, the first thought that might cross your mind is to build an addition. But the…
How Do Setback and Zoning Laws Affect My Home Addition?
Dreaming of expanding your home? An addition can be an exciting venture. Maybe it’s for an extra bedroom, a sunroom, or perhaps a more spacious kitchen. But as your home addition takes shape, it’s vital to ensure that it also takes into account the very real limitations imposed by local zoning and setback laws. As…
Benefits & Uses of a Steel Moment Frame
Steel is common in commercial construction, but did you know it can help strengthen your home, too? Although not frequently used in new home construction, a steel moment frame can be a great way to retrofit or reinforce your home’s structure during a renovation project. At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, our team regularly does…
How Much Does a Home Addition Cost in Portland?
Home additions are a great way to expand your home’s existing footprint to create the living space you and your family need. However, the process involves complex decisions about design, structural requirements, permits, and construction methods. An integrated design-build approach helps manage these challenges by combining architectural planning with construction expertise from the start. One…
What is the best size for a home addition?
If you’re considering a home addition to increase your living space, it’s important to get it right. You don’t want to overspend on space you don’t need, but you also want to make sure the addition is worth your time and money. Determining the best size for your home addition can be a challenge, but…
How long does it take to build a home addition?
Adding on to your home is a major time commitment. But it’s also exciting to watch as the structure takes shape and comes together. If you’re considering a home addition, understanding how long the build will take is an important part of the planning process. Here at Lamont Bros., our team of design and construction…
Should I build my addition up or out?
You know your home needs more space, you just aren’t sure where to put it. Home additions are large-scale, time-consuming, and expensive renovation projects. That’s why when you do it, you want to make sure to do it correctly. One of the first things to decide when planning a home addition is whether to build…
Can I add a second story to an old home?
You love the character and charm of your older home, but find yourself needing more space. For one reason or another, you don’t have the option of expanding the ground floor level. Instead, you hope to build a second-story addition. But given its age, it seems like this old home already has enough trouble holding…
How does Floor Area Ratio affect my Portland home addition?
A home addition is a great way to increase your available living space without having to move. However, additions also come with their challenges — they’re subject to strict building codes and zoning regulations that restrict what you can and can’t build. One of those restrictions is called Floor Area Ratio, which has its own…
What is a dormer addition and why do I need one?
Your home may have an attic with plenty of floor space — it might even be a finished attic. The problem is that the pitch of the roof makes it difficult to use any more than a few square feet without having to crouch down. Sound familiar? If so, your attic might need a dormer…
Tree protection laws in Portland: How do they affect my home addition?
If you’re planning on an addition or remodel in your Portland home, you probably already know about the tree protection laws in Portland. Given their restrictions, you might initially think these laws prevent you from being able to build what you want. Fortunately, this isn’t necessarily the case. As one of Portland’s top remodeling firms,…