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Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Importance of a Building Plan

Two of our recent projects — though different in nature, both rely upon working with a sound building plan that is accepted by Building Department authorities, and is inclusive of correct building codes, zoning restrictions and all structural information needed to construct the building properly. Changes that can be worked out in the planning stages take into account individual situations and can often help avoid costly mistakes.

#10 Brewster Lane - The first, of this six-lot parcel under contract, began with the owners selecting one of our package building plans, designed by architect Adam Mooring, and altering it to suit their needs and budget. An enclosed porch and upstairs master bed and bath were worked out in the plans and will be roughed out during phase one of construction, but will remain unfinished until their growing family is ready to expand into the extra space.

Jarvesville addition - This small, historic home presented several design and permitting challenges for the owners, due to its' proximity to the marsh as well as the structural integrity of the existing building.  Much thought went into revising the building plans in order to gain final approval from the conservation and zoning board to demolish the existing foundation which was too weak to support the new structure. In an effort to honor the home's history and also achieve approval from the historic commission, it was agreed that portions of the original structure would be disassembled and then  incorporated into the new building—increasing its' size to approximately 2,000 square feet.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Adding a Garage to Your Home or Property

As we continue to struggle through a tough economy, adding a garage — either attached or detached—can add to the value of your home in more ways than one. Before jumping in headfirst, however, it is important to seek the guidance of a reputable builder who can help you walk through your ultimate goals and the steps you may need to take prior to construction. Surveying the lot for deed restrictions, drawing up plans, and adding electric or plumbing are all considerations that should be discussed first in relation to your budget.

Of the three garage plans R.W. Anderson & Sons is working on at the moment, two involve adding extra space over and above the vehicle space. In the first, detached garage, a second floor will be dormered out with the electric and plumbing added now for future use. Our second project involves attaching a 12x16 shed that already exits on the property. We have worked closely with the owners to incorporate the shed into the new building plan so that it aesthetically blends together.

Some of the garages we've built, as well as other examples of our work can be viewed here and in the portfolio section of our website. We encourage you to have a look!




Monday, May 23, 2011

Sagamore Beach Addition

Instead of altering the basic footprint of this Phillips Road home, more space was added by raising the roof and improving upon the existing second floor. Walls were raised to full height (7 feet) and the second floor space over an existing front addition increased the total square footage of usable space. One bedroom in the original structure was transformed to a large bedroom with walk-in closets and master bath with tile shower. A second floor family room with fireplace, screened in porch with deck and incredible views made the most of the total existing space. Because the structure was close to the water, the owners entrusted R.W. Anderson to completely handle the complicated permitting process which involved building permits, conservation land requirements and historic commission permissions that needed to be obtained prior to construction.

Kitchen remodel / Sandwich

The traffic flow of this Sandwich kitchen was in need of improvement, and after meeting with the homeowners to discuss the challenges the current design posed, we went to work. First, a doorway was shifted from the center to side of the kitchen and a picture window was added in the back of the house to open the space giving a wonderful view from the front of the house to the gardens in the back. Installing a new stairway would accomplish two goals: The first, giving the redesigned kitchen a nice pantry with storage, and the second, allowing interior access to the basement which they did not have before. Old cabinetry and formica countertops were completely replaced with granite and birch cabinetry in a white finish. Recessed lighting was also added for a more contemporary look. Custom millwork, central a/c, a the addition of a 6x8 cedar closet and pull-down stairway for attic access were among some of the other improvements made.

New Seabury renovation/spruce-up

The owners approached us wanting a major renovation in order to freshen up the look of their home that had been built in the 1980’s. Updates included replacing large, outdated casement windows with energy efficient double-hung paned windows from the A-Series Anderson line. Skylights and sliders were also replaced—the homeowners opting to change one out to a triple mullion in order to make the look more contemporary. Grey panes added character and warmth.

New electrical and lighting fixtures were done throughout the house and bathrooms were remodeled using existing vanities with new counter tops. New tile floors and fixtures complete with a large soaking tub were also added, as was a fantastic glass shower enclosure done with the help of Falmouth Glass. Shepley wood products supplied the materials we needed to complete new interior trim, doors, and floors.

Because the basic flow of the kitchen did not service the homeowner’s needs, a peninsula was added, to define the space and with collaboration between builder, owner and Triple Crown Cabinetry, new cabinetry was added and other parts were replaced with much attention paid to matching the patina and color of the existing cabinetry. Counter tops were completely replaced with cost effective Silestone in butterscotch.

The property was transformed, and the owners were thrilled with their new home!