Monthly Archives May 2014

Johnson County residents enjoy nothing better than the great outdoors in spring and summer months. The problem is, if you don’t have a deck or covered porch you may be left dragging your chairs into the grass – not a particularly enjoyable proposition if ants, tics, and other creepy crawly critters inhabit your yard. The Kansas City deck builders at at Vision Builders transform outdoor spaces for KC homeowners who want to entertain, add to curb appeal, or simply enjoy their own homes more while increasing value.

For many homeowners, a deck is the ideal place to relax after a long day at work, or entertain friends and family. Depending on your own preferences, exterior decks can range from simple, one-level designs to multi-level, more complex designs. Built-in seats, steps, landings – how basic or fancy you get is all up to you! No doubt your deck will get plenty of use throughout the years as you grill outdoors, host a get together for neighbors, or simply enjoy soaking up the sun or reading a good book yourself.

While exterior decks are highly popular, covered and screened-in porches are other options you may want to consider. A covered porch makes it possible for you to enjoy being outdoors even during a spring or summer shower. Enjoy the fresh air without getting soaked! Screened-in porches protect you from the weather as well, but provide the added benefit of keeping out flied, mosquitoes, and other pesky bugs. A screened-in porch can also provide your family with an added measure of security.

You may have an existing porch you would like to have covered or screened-in, or perhaps you’re considering adding an entirely new focal point to your Johnson County home. Thinking about a new deck, but also like the idea of a screened-in porch? It doesn’t have to be either/or. In fact, a combination of both not only adds functionality to your home, but plenty of personality as well. Outdoor living combinations can add a distinctive touch to your home that makes it stand out from the rest – your neighbors will be envious!

At Vision Builders, our goal is to provide homeowners in the greater Kansas City area with exterior decks, screened-in or covered porches, home additions, remodeling, and other services that make your home your dream home while improving function and increasing its value. Give us a call today for all of your home improvement needs!

Many Johnson County homeowners toss around the thought of adding on to their homes for various reasons. Perhaps you need more space for a growing family, your kitchen seems to have become too small, or you feel that adding on a room would add to your home’s value should you decide to sell. Whatever the reason, you may be wondering if home additions are worth the cost. The simple answer is, it depends.

It’s important to keep in mind that a Kansas City home addition may be worth the money spent just for your family’s enjoyment, regardless of to what extent it increases your home’s value. There are certain renovation projects which offer a great return, such as kitchen remodels. Most homeowners want to know that they will be able to recoup most of the money spent on an addition or remodeling project. It is understandable that you don’t want to spend $35,000 on a room addition, only to be able to raise the value of your home by $5,000.

Here is something to keep in mind:

If you do decide to add a room onto your home, keep its original design in mind. Potential buyers who are driving around the neighborhood will notice a home that looks odd, or has obviously been added on to. The design should remain consistent with the rest of the homes in your neighborhood. Any addition should flow seamlessly with the rest of your home, or in other words look as though it is an original part of the house.

Add on because you need the space or would enjoy more room yourself, not because you think it will make your home more attractive to buyers. Ultimately, the condition of the real estate market and economy at any point in time may affect the return on your investment. There are times when your home may sell for more, and times it may sell for less, regardless of your addition.

The enjoyment you get from your Johnson County home really cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents. Some additions, such as a bedroom or living room, are more lucrative financially speaking than others. You are the one who will live in your home, and home additions can definitely enhance your living experience and enjoyment of your home!

At Vision Builders, we specialize in home renovations in the Overland Park/Kansas City areas, helping homeowners enjoy a home that truly is the place you want to be at the end of the day. Give us a call today for your home addition needs, basement finishing or kitchen remodeling needs.