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It's about 1K sq feet, but we want some add'l windows/skylights put in and a dormer/bump out area made into a nook. The main issue is the stair case opens in the center of the room and I need some ideas on how to maximize the space for that. Any contractor recommendation?
The guy who finished our third floor was awesome but he left the profession just a few months after finishing our job. Got tired of chasing people down for payment. I would suggest checking your local next door site for recommendations, I am constantly bookmarking recommendations I see there "just in case". And yeah that open staircase is a waste of space - we had the same problem.
As to Mike's advice about sticking to the facts ma'am....I had a terrible experience with a guy who marketed himself as a nice Christian fellow and couldn't have been more insulting to the lil lady of the house when he came out to give a (hugely inflated) quote for some deck repairs.
Also beware of people who don't listen to you and throw out a million other ideas for your house - had that (exhausting) experience with a guy who actually used to post here. When he realized DH and I actually know a thing or two about home improvement he quickly lost interest in us and never got back to us with a quote (which he assured us would be the highest one we got anyway).
I would hire Heather Washburn in a heartbeat. Know her personally, her skills, vision, integrity, tenacity, and passion. Her work may or may not suit your tastes, but she is amazingly creative. She is not a GC, but certainly can help in that area. https://www.calico-studio.com/architecture
An architect. Sorry I don't know one in the Triangle, but some google searching, checking out websites and a few phone calls will no doubt lead you to the right one. I'm sure there are many small architectural firms or solo practitioners who specialize in home renovations.
My cousin and 2 close friends are architects, and they'd be the last ones I'd call for help. There are architectural draftsmen out there that can do a great job for less money. Some contractors also have drafting skills for such projects.
For a 3rd floor, you might want to get the feedback from a good construction person to whether the 2nd floor ceiling construction is ample to hold up a 3rd floor addition. Often 3rd floors have to be beef'd up before they're ready for studding out for rooms.
My cousin and 2 close friends are architects, and they'd be the last ones I'd call for help. There are architectural draftsmen out there that can do a great job for less money. Some contractors also have drafting skills for such projects.
For a 3rd floor, you might want to get the feedback from a good construction person to whether the 2nd floor ceiling construction is ample to hold up a 3rd floor addition. Often 3rd floors have to be beef'd up before they're ready for studding out for rooms.
See below. An unfinished third level, structurally ready to support a finished area is very common.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Love to travel
I don't anticipate any issues, it's a full 3rd floor (initially built w/ the expectation to finish). So hopefully no surprises. :-)
The good ones will immediately ask your budget for the project, to qualify you in terms of your grasp of reality.
Some remodelers have a minimum project budget threshold because they can pick and choose projects.
1000 SF Attic finish?
Design/build sounds like $75,000 and up. Are you going to add a kitchenette, bathroom, lots of cabinetry built-ins?
When looking at designer and contractor websites, study the predominant styles in their portfolio and see if they appeal and are complementary to your taste and home style.
When interviewing, inquire how they handle engineering any structural modifications.
I would hire Heather Washburn in a heartbeat. Know her personally, her skills, vision, integrity, tenacity, and passion. Her work may or may not suit your tastes, but she is amazingly creative. She is not a GC, but certainly can help in that area. https://www.calico-studio.com/architecture
Oh...
Never be impressed that any service provider's self-professed qualifications are christian, veteran, region's "most trusted."
Bumped to mention:
Heather Washburn, Calico Studio PLLC, had a project in Maine grace the cover of the current NC Architecture magazine:
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