Questions
Cornerstone Building Concepts
How much does an average addition cost?
There is no such thing as an “average” addition – each project is unique and this is reflected in the price. Many things affect the price of an addition – size, complexity, types of materials used, quality of finishes and existing site conditions, to name just a few. Cornerstone Building Concepts’ Project Estimator will visit your home and review your plans with you in order to understand the scope of your project so that we can provide you with an exact cost for your addition. Currently, Cornerstone Building Concepts has projects under construction that range from $100 - $300 per square foot. Simple, straightforward jobs fall at the bottom end of this range and our highly customized, all inclusive, and complex jobs are more expensive. We can work with you, our Project Designer, or your architect to make your project fit your budget.
How long will it take to complete my addition?
The time it takes to permit a job depends on the complexity of the job and the workload of your building department. From the time your architectural plans are ready for submittal, Cornerstone Building Concepts requires approximately two to three weeks for planning to gather all the information necessary to submit a building permit application. The municipal plan review process normally lasts between six and ten weeks, but this can vary depending on your building department's current workload. Once a permit is issued, your addition will take between 14-18 weeks to construct, depending on the complexity of the job.
Building an addition has several advantages over moving. Today's real estate market is not as robust as it was in years past. Finding a reasonably priced new home is still very difficult and expensive. Most people have sticker shock over the price of a larger home with just one additional bedroom. This is especially the case when they find out how much more they will pay in taxes on a new home. The impact of higher taxes on a new home is compounded by the fact that they will have to be paid every year for as long as you own your home. So if you are paying $3,000 in property taxes now, the taxes on a new, larger home might soar to as much as $9,000 a year. Over the next ten years, the new house will cost an additional $60,000 just in taxes alone.
If your current home has been protected by a homestead exemption for any period of time, your taxes are significantly lower than they will be on a new home that is being taxed at full market value. An addition is a one-time expense that you can enjoy for years to come.
Moving a four person household using a professional mover costs anywhere from $5-10,000. The cost of the real estate transaction is also expensive. 6 percent of the sale goes to a realtor and you will pay around 5 percent of the new home price in closing costs. Sadly, all of these expenses are just for the transaction. You still have to pay for the additional space in the sale price of the new home. You will experience none of these expenses with an addition. Most people like the neighborhood they live in or they would not have bought there in the first place. Our customers have told us that they really like their addition, “It's like a new home at the same address!” reported one happy customer.
Do I need to be physically present during the building process?
You do not need to be onsite during construction. Our staff is responsible for handling all inspections and all aspects of construction. We will coordinate any access issues as necessary. You do need to meet with the Project Manager after your permit is issued and before construction begins. This pre-construction meeting is necessary to go over scheduling, discuss the construction process, identify any special site requirements and any special needs you may have.
Will I need to move out of my house during construction?
The majority of our additions do not require you to move out of your home. We are able to keep you separated from the construction area until the very end of the construction process when the addition is opened and integrated into the existing home. To do this, we build a temporary wall between the existing home and the new addition. This wall keeps your existing space clean and secure.
Some additions do require the homeowner to move out of the home during construction. This is required for additions that include the replacement of the entire roof of your home or when the area where the addition is being constructed hinders your ability to live in your home. When an addition includes kitchen expansions or bathroom expansions, the homeowner may prefer to leave if their facilities aren't functional for an extended period of time.
Is Cornerstone Building Concepts licensed and insured?
Yes! Cornerstone Building Concepts carries a $2 million General Liability Insurance Policy and provides workers compensation insurance for all of its employees. All Cornerstone Building Concepts subcontractors that work on our jobs are required to carry their own liability insurance and workers compensation insurance also.
Cornerstone Building Concepts is a licensed General Contractor (CGC 1514058) with a complaint free record that is in good standing with the State of Florida.
The Florida Lien Law allows individuals who work on your home to make a claim against your property in order to be paid for their work. Individuals who work on your home may file a Notice to Owner. This lets you know that they are working on your home and is a standard industry practice. At the end of your job, Cornerstone Building Concepts will provide you with releases from all the subcontractors who have worked on your job. These releases are your assurance that your property is free and clear of any claims.