We are planning an extensive renovation to our home in a year or so involving turning our existing garage (where the south/west sun is)into a large kitchen and adding on a smaller garage on the front of the existing one.We have a number of concerns whether this is actually able to be done structurally. Who is the best to contact (designer, builder, architect,etc)since we don't actually plan to begin work for a year or so and we are really looking for a feasability assessment rather than an estimate. In the interim, if the renovation is feasable, we plan to do more modest improvements on our existing home but probably wouldn't do them if the major renovation wasn't feasable and would probably consider selling the house instead.
Answer:
First thing is to get in touch with a structural engineer and do an assessment or feasability study. You'll be needing the drawings for your building permit anyway so it won't be all wasted money.
Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus phone-in is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com
