We love getting the chance to work on a vacation home renovation. It can be quite different than renovating a client’s everyday residence. The owners might need more room for guests than they would have at home, for example. Or they might need space for storage of beach gear, kayaks, and the like. Or they might need to turn a summer place into a year-round home.
In addition, construction costs and schedules can be affected by the home’s location. Some vacation communities have tight zoning regulations for historic facades or environmental concerns (think flood control in coastal areas). Bringing materials by barge onto an island or up an unpaved road to a mountaintop will require extra planning and budgeting. We enjoy doing the research to identify any potential obstacles and figure out what will best serve our clients’ needs for their holiday home.
In the case of this Cape Cod vacation home, local zoning limits construction to a maximum of 50% of the appraised value of the building over a five-year period, to align with National Flood Insurance Program rules. The charming cottage will undergo interior renovations without altering the traditional shingle exterior or exceeding the budget limit. We’re upgrading the heating system and adding air conditioning and re-configuring the layout. We’ll add a bathroom and re-do the kitchen, among other improvements.