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First time home buyer and first time poster on this forum. We are closing next week on a home in Bergen County - an older, small Cape Cod that we would really like to expand as much as our budget allows. It currently has a rear shed dormer with 2 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom upstairs, and 2 bedrooms downstairs. Our dream is to split one of the bedrooms into 2 smaller bedrooms and then knock down all the walls between the 2 bedrooms and hallway downstairs, thus creating a large family room.
So many questions..
We are calling contractors to come to take a look..however not sure if this is the route to take? Should we first get an architect to see if it's possible? Should we get a structural engineer in? Should we do both, or one over the other? We do think one of the walls we want to knock down on the 1st floor is load bearing.
Or should we just get the contractors to come first and then have them provide bids and use their subcontractors? But confused on how they would submit bids if they aren't sure if it's even possible without looking at any plans, etc..
Very confused on this whole process and would appreciate any and all input.
First time home buyer and first time poster on this forum. We are closing next week on a home in Bergen County - an older, small Cape Cod that we would really like to expand as much as our budget allows. It currently has a rear shed dormer with 2 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom upstairs, and 2 bedrooms downstairs. Our dream is to split one of the bedrooms into 2 smaller bedrooms and then knock down all the walls between the 2 bedrooms and hallway downstairs, thus creating a large family room.
So many questions..
We are calling contractors to come to take a look..however not sure if this is the route to take? Should we first get an architect to see if it's possible? Should we get a structural engineer in? Should we do both, or one over the other? We do think one of the walls we want to knock down on the 1st floor is load bearing.
Or should we just get the contractors to come first and then have them provide bids and use their subcontractors? But confused on how they would submit bids if they aren't sure if it's even possible without looking at any plans, etc..
Very confused on this whole process and would appreciate any and all input.
Thank you!!
If you want them all bidding on the exact same thing, then first you have to figure out exactly what you want and have some drawings on which they can base their bid. You might want to call an architect for a consultation first.
If you want them all bidding on the exact same thing, then first you have to figure out exactly what you want and have some drawings on which they can base their bid. You might want to call an architect for a consultation first.
The architect will also know the zoning and building rules, which are important in NNJ.
Are you actually adding any space or just moving interior around? Adding space is where it gets really tough around here because of coverage and FAR regulations. I'm sure you'll still need permits for things but zoning approval is the real pain in the butt.
If you are actually adding space then you need to get your survey and find out where you live in terms of those two factors.
You shouldn't strictly need an engineer for the load-bearing wall (unless the town wants a signoff); there's tables which tell your contractor what size beam to put in. Just adding and taking down walls ought to be something a general contractor can do without an architect.
Good luck finding a good contractor. Just some advice stay away from all middle eastern contractors as most are all scam artists or will do very subpar work. For some reason Homeadvisor and Angies list is full of them and they will all just start showing up to your house uninvited if you use their service.
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