Types of Residential Construction and Remodeling
Residential contractors build everything from sheds and garages to full-on home renovations. These buildings usually belong to a single person or family, which means they must adhere to strict building codes and regulations.
Remodeling a property typically requires obtaining permits for structural changes, such as altering load-bearing walls. The construction process can also stall if the property owner doesn’t have enough funds to continue.
Single Family Homes
Single family homes are self-contained dwellings that provide privacy and space for one household. They are often designed to be more customizable than other types of residences, offering multiple architectural styles and layouts for a wide range of preferences. Single family homes can be built residential construction and remodeling on-site or may be prefabricated and assembled onsite, such as with modular homes.
They have separate utility meters, entrances, and living facilities from other houses. Typically, they have private outdoor areas for gardening and relaxing. These residences also have separate heating and cooling systems from those of multifamily buildings, making them more energy efficient.
Most often, when people talk about “single-family homes,” they mean detached houses designed for only one household. They can be built in different architectural styles, but they all have a few things in common. They are all freestanding homes, with their own driveways and street access. They are usually constructed on land that is owned by the homeowner, unlike condos and apartments where you own the house but not the property.
Single-family homes are popular for people looking for that quintessential homeownership experience. They offer plenty of space for gardens, roses or pets, and are a great choice for anyone who wants to own a home with more control over the exterior design. However, they are more expensive than other types of residences and require homeowners to pay for property maintenance like mowing, snow removal and landscaping.
Multi-Family Homes
Whether they’re built for owner-occupants or investors, multifamily homes have a number of benefits. They provide the opportunity to rent out the units, which can help cover or reduce a mortgage payment and other costs like property taxes and homeowners insurance. The rental income can also make these properties more appealing to prospective buyers, which can boost the home’s market value.
A multifamily home can consist of a duplex, townhouse or apartment complex. A duplex is a structure with two separate housing units, while a townhouse is typically connected to other homes on either side but deeded separately. An apartment building may contain hundreds of housing units in a single structure, and each unit often has its own entrance.
Before construction on a multifamily project, it’s important to create a preconstruction phase that includes obtaining the proper paperwork and working with design-build professionals to develop cost estimates and drawings of the project. This helps ensure the project will meet code requirements and hotel renovation contractors allows for the creation of more detailed schematics for the building’s plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems.
It’s also important to conduct a thorough inspection of the multifamily residence before purchasing it, especially if the seller intends to live in one unit and rent out others. Inspectors can spot things like deteriorating foundations or hidden mold, which could impact the buyer’s eligibility for financing and the ability to rent out the property.
Garages and Outbuildings
Garages and sheds are outdoor storage structures that can be used to store a variety of items. They can also serve as a workshop or an additional space for recreation and leisure activities. When building a new garage or adding on to your shed, it’s important that it is designed and built properly. This ensures that the structure is safe and secure, that it can withstand harsh weather conditions, and that it can be used for its intended purpose without any issues.
Garage and shed construction is a complex process that requires the help of a qualified home remodeler. When choosing a professional to help you with your project, make sure that they are licensed and insured. They should also have experience working on projects similar to yours and be familiar with local building codes. Additionally, they should have a good understanding of the permitting process and be able to guide you through it.
Garages and outbuildings are often considered accessory buildings or structures and can be mandated to be subordinate in size to the main house on a residential property through zoning regulations. If you are considering a garage, shed or gazebo on your property, it is important to research the zoning requirements for your area before beginning the planning and construction process. This will prevent any potential issues with the Department of Codes or other governmental departments in the future.
Commercial Buildings
Commercial buildings are built for professional use in office spaces, retail stores, restaurants and even industrial facilities. Typically, these structures are built to be able to accommodate many people in one space and provide more amenities than residential buildings like elevators, HVAC systems and parking space.
Construction on a commercial scale is different from residential projects for several reasons, including the complexity of the building and its design. In addition, the building site is often much larger and requires specialized equipment like cranes, loaders, bulldozers and pavers for the project to be completed. This is why commercial construction projects take longer to complete than residential projects.
Some of the most common commercial projects include remodels, renovations and additions to existing structures. These are smaller in scope than new builds, but still require a full crew and may even extend the duration of the project due to the amount of time it takes for tradesmen to come in, do their work and leave again.
Another difference between commercial and residential construction is that there are stricter regulations in place for contractors to adhere to. This is due to the fact that commercial buildings are designed for public use and must be safe to enter after completion. This is a big difference from residential buildings that are typically only meant for the homeowner to live in and do not need to meet safety requirements.
