Grace Street Home Additions

We had the pleasure of meeting with Scott Ukrop at Grace Street Home Additions this morning in his super-cool office space in Old Manchester. We were familiar with Grace Street but today's meeting not only shed new light on their design process but also dispelled a few preconceived notions of our own. Previously, when we heard the name Grace Street in conversations revolving around remodeling or renovations/additions, phrases such as "high quality", "well-designed" and "innovative approach" came to mind. Admittedly, words such as "high-end" and "expensive" also came to mind because it often seems that quality work comes hand-in-hand with a high price tag.

What we learned today is that Grace Street is developing new ideas about making the home addition process less daunting for homeowners and more importantly, "attainable and affordable". They are committed to delivering a home addition that blends seamlessly with the current architecture of the home but also meets the needs of the homeowner in terms of the desired living space. They pride themselves on simplifying the design and construction process while being mindful of the homeowner's budget, time investment and the surrounding real estate values of the neighborhood. If you are considering an addition to your current home, or thinking about purchasing a house in need of renovation and/or an addition, add Grace Street to your short list of design/build firms. We think you will be just as impressed as we were with their innovative approach.

Evaluating Home Improvement Projects

Recently, we have had several clients ask for our opinion about making improvements to their houses. These projects have ranged from converting an attic to a finished bedroom to enclosing a porch to enlarge a family room. You may be faced with a similar dilemma and wondering if you will see a return on your investment. As you ponder your project in these challenging economic conditions, consider the following:

How long have you lived in your current house and how long do you intend to remain there? With the recent downturn in the real estate market, you must make sure that the cost of your project and the subsequent resale value of your home does not outpace the current real estate market.

Are your improvements in keeping with the other homes in your neighborhood? Does it make sense to add 1000 sq. ft. to a 1500 sq. ft starter home or should you consider purchasing a larger house in another area where the amenities you desire are already in place? Similarly, while those sleek professional kitchen appliances will surely transform you into the next Food Network TV star, will your prospective buyer be willing to pay for those upgrades or have you "overimproved" your kitchen for your current neighborhood?

Will the project add any livable square footage to your house? Adding space is an easy way to add value to your house. However, keep in mind that an appraiser does not assign the same value to the square footage in a basement as the square footage on the first or second floor.

Is there a way to update my house so that it is more attractive for resale but won't "break the bank"? If you aren't planning to live in your house for the long term and simply want to improve your surroundings for personal enjoyment, there are a myriad of things you can do to give your home a face lift. New appliances, new light fixtures, a fresh coat of paint and new cabinet hardware can transform an outdated bathroom or kitchen without depleting your nest egg!