Quote:
Originally Posted by wb2018
We have a small long-shaped patio along the back of our house. The patio is on a cement slab. We originally had a large tree behind the house which kept us from building out. The tree was removed four years and the ground has mostly settled. Now we have space to create a sunroom.
We are thinking to expand the enclosed lanai at the back of our house into the patio space, creating a larger sunroom with storm windows. The final size of the addition roughly
18' x 8'. We don't have a large back yard so this is as much addition as we can do.
1. Have you used or heard of a contractor/builder and had good results? Would you recommend them?
2. What things should we watch out for in picking a builder?
Many thanks for any help you can provide.
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First obtain a set of drawings for your house.
I was able to get the plans from Sumter County building department by going to the office (Pinellas plaza), they sent them to me by email, in PDF format.
Then look at the set back requirements for your site. On older homes North of SR 44 Sumter County has reduced the rear setback from 10 feet to 7 feet. That would allow your new room to be 10 feet deep. That makes a huge difference in terms of what furniture will fit.
Expect to remove the existing patio slab even if you cannot increase the room to 10 feet. The addition will need to carry the weight of the new walls and roof.
If your new slab is raised to match your existing floors it will increase your taxable square footage and trigger a tax reassessment.
Converting an existing lanai is much less expensive as the foundation and roof are already in place.