New construction, remodels & additions in San Francisco & which one is better?
San Francisco is in the midst of a major transformation as a city that is evolving at an unprecedented pace, so as the housing market, homeowners are investing more into upgrading their homes.
But where do you start?
If you are planning to demolish, renovate, or expand a home, add one or more dwelling units to a residential building, or are hesitating about which one is best, this blog has you covered. Let's dive into it.
We'll begin by detailing major differences between each option, so you can determine which is closer to your goals or needs.
Renovation
A renovation project is the process of restoring or repairing damaged or outdated parts of your house, such as the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. It can include re-facing cabinets, installing new light fixtures, replacing windows, repairing damaged drywalls, replacing electrical and heating systems, and generally repairing any part or all the home.
Many people often prefer a renovation because they can keep the original infrastructure while giving it a more polished and stronger foundation, so it can last longer and follow the city codes and safety guidelines.
A simple way to decide if a renovation is the way to go is to answer this simple question: Do I like my current layout? If the answer is yes, it is the best choice.
Also, you may consider these aspects:
- Lower costs and faster timelines
- Typically doesn't require a large amount of paperwork and permits
- Great for cosmetic updates or prepping a home for sale
Remodeling
Unlike renovation, remodeling changes how a space is used or structured. This could involve altering the floor plan, removing or adding walls, or repurposing an entire room.
People often consider remodeling when they want to open up space by tearing down walls, converting a garage into an office, adding a master bathroom, relocating plumbing or electrical systems, or expanding a kitchen or bedrooms.
One question that can help in deciding is: Do you need more functionality or flow?
If the answer is yes and you are seeking a more functional space and layout, and you have more budget and time, remodeling is the best choice.
A major plus is that remodeling is a top choice if you want to invest by adding value to your home before selling it at some point.
New Construction
New construction means building something completely new from scratch or adding major structural elements to an existing property.
The key element is having control over the project's design, from the start to the finish, with a larger budget to support a more involved construction process.
When we talk about what covers new construction, it could be a brand-new building or house, adding a second story, or creating a detached garage.
If you have a larger budget and time, this may be an excellent choice for full design freedom, and it is also a perfect long-term investment to add value. It also involves more planning, time, permits, and inspections.
Extension
When we talk about adding an extension, it means extending an existing property to add another room or making a room larger, while remaining at ground level. Usually, people who have a larger backyard or front yard tend to add an extension.
Addition (ADU)
According to San Francisco city rules and the zoning district of your property, your project may be approved or limited by a type of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
There are four ADU types:
- Converted ADUs are new units created within existing or proposed space in a residential building.
- Attached ADUs are new units that expand residential buildings.
- Detached ADUs are new free-standing buildings located on residential property.
- Junior ADUs (JADU) are a new type of ADU that converts up to 500 square feet of space in a single-family structure. JADU requires owner-occupancy in either the remaining portion of the single-family home or the newly created JADU.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
Whether it's a renovation, remodeling, new construction, or ADUs, our work is to oversee everything and take responsibility for the outcome of a construction project, whether big or small. We can handle the variables in construction and the paperwork that comes with it.
Part of a general contractor's work is making sure everything flows efficiently to guarantee perfect results. Working with experts provides a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing the best suppliers and materials that are safer, tested, and proven in your climate to guarantee results. Especially in the Bay Area, this is an important aspect to look up.
Constant communication is key. At Diaz Construction your general contractor sets up regular face-to-face meeting times at the outset of projects. Also, our video calls are to bring updates, inspect progress, and catch any possible mistakes early in the construction phase.
What to expect during construction?
When it comes to choosing whether to build new or to renovate, the decision often comes down to which one makes more sense financially, but there are some common aspects, such as:
Hours
Building construction can occur all day seven days a week, including holidays. It can be modified according to each client or project, even deadlines. At Diaz Construction, we have in-house experts who make this smoother, so we save up to 60% in time delivering projects faster.
If you want to start your project, give us a call. We are the best general contractors for ADU, new construction, remodels & additions in San Francisco and the Bay Area.