What to Know Before You Build a Laundry Room Addition
Getting a new laundry room built in your house is an exciting project to take on. However, it’s vital that you know what to expect before you dive in.
Read on for some helpful tips that could help make the process go smoothly.
Where to Put a Laundry Room Addition
Before you begin building anything, you should figure out exactly where to put a laundry room addition. Will it be more convenient for you if a laundry room is added onto one side of your home or a different side?
It could be a simple addition, basically a closet large for the washer-dryer. Or, if you want a larger space, you could add an entirely new room to house your washer, dryer, and folding table.
What You Might Want in a Laundry Room Addition
You may want to make a list of the reasons why you need a separate room and then make sure that the addition will meet all of those needs. For instance, do you want a utility sink? An exterior door? Windows? A space to keep pet supplies or a nook for the cat litter pan?
Definitely you should consider what will make laundry day more efficient. At a minimum, you will need some shelves for basic supplies. Ideally, you would have cabinets for extra storage and countertops for folding clothes. Perhaps you want a drying rack or a closet where you can store your off-season clothing.
You should also consider the aesthetics such as the type of floor and wall color. You’ll want flooring that could take it if it were to get wet. We don’t like to think the plumbing or washer will leak
, but if it does, you want a floor that can handle a little punishment.
Also, you need to think ahead to prevent unforeseen costs. For instance, you want to make sure your existing pipes and electrical system can handle add-ons without further adjustments and bigger expenses. Furthermore, you don’t want to destroy your yard during construction. You’ll need to make sure that contractors use access mats to prevent trucks and the workers from messing up your lawn.
What Can You do Yourself and When to Hire a Contractor
Whether or not you decide to hire a contractor, you need to know what aspects of this project can be done by you and your family. Laying the foundation for the laundry room addition is one of the more difficult things to do, and you may need sophisticated equipment. If you have someone do this, perhaps you have the skills to frame the room and finish it. .
The best rule of thumb is that if you are in doubt, it’s best to leave this job in the hands of a professional. Any mistakes could cause problems and add unnecessary costs to your project.
While you may be able to handle the construction, for instance, you will need to hire a professional plumber to ensure that it is properly hooked up to the water system. No one wants a leak in the laundry room. Likewise, you may want to leave the electrical work to a qualified electrician. Adding to an existing system, as you will have to do, can be tricky, especially if the system is old.
If you decide to hire a contractor, don’t just hire the first one you find. You will need to be sure that this contractor is proficient in many areas, including woodworking, carpentry, and electrical work.
Before agreeing on any contract with a potential contractor, you’ll want to ask for references so that you can get a clearer idea of their business practices. Also, make sure to get quotes from multiple contractors to compare. In addition, make sure the contract has all costs laid out, including plumbing and electricity.
