4 Projects to Outsource on Your Tiny Home Build

Ready to build your dream tiny home but need help figuring out where to start? Don't worry - we've got you covered. This blog post will share four key projects to outsource on your tiny home build. These expert tips will help you create the perfect space for your lifestyle, from design and construction to finishes and furnishings. So whether you're downsizing or just looking for a more efficient way to live, read our top recommendations on what to outsource on your tiny home build.

Hiring an electrician to wire your tiny home

Wiring a tiny home is a critical job not to be taken lightly. Although you may consider doing the job yourself, it's best to hire an experienced electrician due to the complexity of the wiring process and the safety hazards that could arise. A certified electrician can also ensure that your new home will meet electrical code requirements, which would otherwise become a significant issue in the future. Furthermore, simply having an experienced professional inspect your small dwelling can bring peace of mind and help to ensure longevity. If you're living tiny, why not provide your electrical system is top-notch?

Finding a carpenter to help with the framing and construction

If you're looking to build a structure or renovate an existing one, it's essential to find experienced help. A carpenter is a skilled practitioner who can do the framing and construction work you need, giving you confidence that the job will be done right. Before committing to any carpenter, research their online reviews and records of past work completed successfully. Don’t forget to ask for references to speak directly with previous customers. Ensure the carpenter has obtained any necessary permits before signing a contract for the job. An experienced carpenter should also be insured if anything goes wrong during the project. When finding a professional for your building projects, take your time and ensure all your questions are answered before hiring anyone.

Outsourcing the plumbing to a professional

Outsourcing to a professional is often the best option for plumbing projects. A plumbing contractor is an expert in their field, and they know all the tricks of the trade. They can help you troubleshoot problems and determine whether you need a major repair or simple maintenance. A professional plumber also has access to specialized tools and equipment to help them quickly diagnose what's wrong and effectively fix the issue. Always choose a licensed and insured plumber to ensure quality work is done efficiently.

Getting someone to install your solar panels

When it comes to solar energy, the installation process can be daunting. From researching reputable installers to finding the right home location and photovoltaic array size, there is much to consider when installing your solar panels. However, doing so can result in huge savings on your energy bills. It's worth considering! Please ensure you find an installer with a reliable track record and experience in this field who you can trust with your portfolio of renewable energy solutions. Make sure that your project goes as smoothly as possible. With careful research, you'll find the perfect installer for you and your family!

Hiring professionals to complete the wiring, framing, plumbing, and solar installation to build a tiny home is an exciting investment. As thrilling as it can be to start a project of this size, it should be done with thorough research and thought. To ensure the tiny home is fully functional, the professional will ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Any additional features like solar panels installed correctly will provide a beautiful and safe home for years to come. Reach out to local professionals for their experience and knowledge in each area; contractors may even have subcontractors skilled in each task that can help. When making this kind of decision about your tiny home journey, always weigh the pros and cons of hiring professionals versus tackling DIY projects. No matter what you choose, know that your small home will serve you well if you do your due diligence in planning. Congratulations on starting your journey!

What Contractors Do You Need To Build A Home Addition?

Whether you have a growing family or perhaps just want to add some more room to your existing space, you've decided it's time for a home addition. Depending on what you have in mind, you will need various contractors to make it happen. Now that you're ready to get started with your home improvement project, here are some typical contractors who will need to be on the job to make your home addition come to life.

Plumbing

Whether you are adding a new bathroom, enlarging your kitchen, or maybe adding a utility room to your home, you'll need plumbing contractors who can perform a variety of jobs. Since running new water lines and pipes can be very complex and result in plenty of damage to your home if not done correctly, make sure you hire plumbers who have plenty of experience with home additions.

Electrical

Since your home is like so many others today and relies more and more on electronics for the internet, smart appliances, security systems, and much more, plan on hiring a residential electrician contractor to work on your home addition. In many instances when a home addition is done, a new electrical box will need to be installed to handle the increased workload of the electrical system.

Roofing

Should you be expanding the size of your home with new rooms, adding a garage, or other similar projects, roofing contractors will be part of the equation. Like other contractors, you will need, make sure you hire only the best for your home addition. For many homeowners, getting a home addition can also mean changing the style of their roofing, such as going from asphalt shingle roofing to a metal roof.

HVAC System

No matter what type of home addition you are getting, you need to ensure it will be properly heated and cooled to keep you and your family comfortable year-round. Thus, hire an HVAC contractor you know and trust to get the job done right the first time. Since your home addition may require new ductwork, a new heat pump or furnace, or other components of an HVAC system, work with a contractor who is trained on the latest equipment and installation techniques.

Though it will take some time to speak with numerous contractors before deciding which ones you will use for your project, having the best contactors possible on the job will give you peace of mind, get the job done right the first time, and result in a home addition you and your family will love.

Guest Post - Seven Points to Consider Before You Build a New Home

Where it is your first or fifth, home building is always an exciting time that presents lots of opportunities. 

Aside from choosing what subway tile to use for your kitchen splashback or what color you should paint the architraves, there are a lot of important points you may have not considered before building a new home.

Read on to find out about the top seven points to consider before you take the next big step in your life. 

Research the Suburb and Area

You think you’ve found the perfect block for your new home. Congrats, but don’t jump on it just yet. 

It’s incredibly important that you extensively research the suburb you before you make any decisions. Since you are likely to spend many years in this location, you need to ensure that the area suits your lifestyle. Is it close to work, family and friends? Is an active community important to you? 

To get a good look at your potential new neighborhood, you can research online by postcode to find the median house and property price, the average demand for property, and even the demographics and lifestyle. However, nothing provides as much insight as a simple drive through the suburb and interactions with the locals.

Research the Builder 

This should go without saying, but one of the first things you should do before you decide to build a home is to find a reputable building company. 

Your builder should be licensed and have no outstanding issues with your state’s building commission. Check whether they use dependable subcontractors and if they have the necessary insurance. Word-of-mouth always goes a long way, so look up reviews online and ask your builder to provide referrals from previous clients.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask your builder to detail what’s included in their quote and how long the construction is likely to take.

It’s vital that you trust your builder and feel comfortable raising issues with them, so don’t settle or be pressured into choosing a builder that’s not right for you.

Who Is Responsible for Temporary Fencing?

In many countries, temporary fencing needs to be present on your building site in order to adhere to occupational health and safety laws. It will protect your home from intruders during the building process and keeps the nearby public safe from potential hazards.

If you are building through a licensed home builder, they are responsible for sourcing temporary fencing. It is often already included in the cost of building your house, however, before you begin building, check your contract. If temporary fencing isn’t mentioned within your contract, raise it with your building company.

If you are an owner-builder, you will need to source temporary fencing. Consider whether buying or renting temporary fencing is more cost-effective, but not having it is a non-negotiable.

Build with Resale in Mind

You’re building your home to be the perfect fit for your family, but realistically it’s not going to be the last property you own.

Consider features that will be ageless – you may love those hot pink walls, but chances are someone looking at your house to buy a decade down the track probably won’t be as into it.

Look at the neighborhood you’re in too – if your home’s features and upgrades overprice your house for the area, it will likely be difficult to sell in future years.

Think Eco-Friendly

Save money while helping the environment – it’s a win-win!

Do your research, especially when it comes to heating and cooling your house. A good builder will look at window and room placement to help maximize sunshine to naturally heat your home. 

Look into the most efficient window glass and wall insulations, and choose energy-efficient appliances, toilets and taps. It will all add up in the long run.

Residential Design Codes

Residential design codes control the design of residential development. Every state and territory will have its own code.

These codes look at things such as sustainability, neighborhood character, how many dwellings can go on a lot, and subdivision precision. Make sure your builder is up to scratch on these codes to avoid any potential issues and it's worth running your eye across them too.

Council Building Regulations

There are specific guidelines set by local councils when it comes to residential developments and these differ throughout local governments.

They are similar to residential design codes in that they consider your site, neighborhood character, scale, the density of the area, and how your plan connects to all of those.

A reputable builder will design a home that meets these regulations, so you shouldn’t have any issues – but it’s important to be aware of these regulations!

If you are planning on moving into a new home soon, House to Home Organizing can make the process seamless and stress-free. Contact the H2H team today for more information!

Author Bio: Written by Taya Coghlan, on behalf of TTFS, an Australian temporary fencing provider. You can catch Taya on LinkedIn.

Interview - Sweeten

We spend a lot of time in people's homes and during the process of getting them organized the topic of other home projects come up. We spoke with Randi at Sweeten to learn more about major home renovations. 

How would you explain Sweeten to a busy homeowner?

We are a free service for major renovations, connecting renovators to the best vetted general contractors (GCs) AND staying involved until the project is done. Since the phrase "busy homeowner" was used, I'll also add we're a one-stop source for multiple estimates from excellent GCs.

Why is it called Sweeten?

Founder & CEO Jean Brownhill named the company Sweeten after "home, sweet home." She's a trained architect from Connecticut who made it her mission to help people "sweeten" their homes after a challenging renovation of her own. Sweeten launched in NYC in 2011; it was named "Best Contractor Locator" by New York magazine in 2012, and projects came pouring in. We expanded into Westchester and Fairfield counties in Spring 2017, and have a great base of GCs in those markets.

What are your project requirements, can I find a handyman?

We do transformative renovations that involve a general contractor--our minimum is $20k and jobs range into the millions. Our average project is in the low six figures. 

How do you select the contractors for your service?

From the start, the founders screened 15,000+ general contractors to find professionals who met their standards, and we still put GCs through a rigorous process to work with Sweeten. Up-to-date licenses and insurance, quality and guarantee of work, personal conversations with past clients and the caliber of their customer service skills all factor in. GCs are growing their businesses with us; they want to keep that deal flow going, so they are very responsive and accountable to Sweeten. (Vetting info: https://sweeten.com/vetted-general-contractors)

How do you help a client during a renovation project?

We're as involved as you'd like us to be. When you post a project on Sweeten.com, our matchmakers connect you to 3-5 GCs based on location, budget, scope and timeline. We can recommend architects if needed, too. You'll check profile pages for the suggested GCs (including reviews from past clients) and choose which to meet with. From that point, we can  help you evaluate the estimates, answer any questions and will check in at key points in the process. We stay in touch with the GC as well. In the off chance things go off-track, we'll step in. We also offer constant inspiration in the form of "before & afters" and education through detailed cost guides on our blog.

What types of people can use Sweeten?

Homeowners or business owners. We attract a lot of clients from finance (we think it's because of the efficiency of our process), technology and creative fields looking to create a space they love. Renovation is a big investment, and we are a wingman to make sure things go smoothly.

I know it is hard to choose, but what are some of the coolest projects you have worked on?

That's an impossible question to answer! The real-life reno stories are all so interesting, and our posts are often written by the homeowners themselves. We've seen an outbuilding become a "Diva Den," a computer coder use elaborate data to find his dream home (with a factored-in renovation), and lots of projects sparked by a baby on the way. Many architects and designers are using Sweeten for their personal homes (which we consider a compliment): http://blog.sweeten.com/before-after/entire-homes/color-and-charm-in-a-designers-tudor-townhouse/. Two recent stories that come to mind are a Westchester renovation which created a modern, open kitchen in a stucco residence: http://blog.sweeten.com/before-after/kitchens/1920s-westchester-home-gets-a-modern-makeover/, and a "before & after" of a hallway-alcove-turned-bathroom of a country house in this week's newsletter that garnered more than 5,600 likes on Instagram within a few days.