It's the situation in which many homeowners are found right now. The house that was once the perfect home starts to show cracks. After a few years, there is a basement, an entrance, a porch or deck that is aging or no longer useful. For some who have spent years, or even decades, in a neighborhood building relationships and memories, moving isn't a desirable option. For others, it's simply the market that pushes them toward renovations on an existing home instead of trying to find a new one and sell the old.
Pat and Maggie Hayden are in the first group. About a year ago, they decided the original deck on their Hartland home was no longer sufficient for their outdoor entertaining, plus it was slick and didn't have a covered entrance for the many family and friends who came in the back door. They decided to work on a new deck. And a covered entry. And maybe a porch-strike that, sun room. Oh, and maybe some additional patio space in the back yard.
"One thing developed into another, into another," said Pat of the project. "But I've lived with [Maggie] for 46 years and I figured if she said she wanted this, I better do it!"
She smiles good naturedly at Pat's prodding and the two continue to show off the addition that provides all-weather and outdoor space for bonding with friends and the couple's two children and two grandchildren. The previously steep and barely-accessible back yard has also been transformed into a practical space for the first time since the couple moved in in 1987.
"We started out with a clear vision of what we wanted," said Maggie. "We told Jack [Stewart, architect] what we wanted, and he drew up plans."
Both the Haydens have extensive experience in real estate and, despite the current craze of Do-It-Yourself home repairs and projects, they decided to have the work executed by professionals. They called on BACK Construction.
Though many of the original plans were completed according to plan, there were also ideas that just came up along the way and enhanced the end product. Things that the Haydens didn't even realize they wanted.
BACK Construction Project Manager Morgan Hodges said, "I like to take ownership and give the homeowner options; give the project a little twist."
In place of the original deck, a 752-square foot, all-seasons sunroom was added. Just off the kitchen, the sunroom features high ceilings and large windows for an outdoorsy feeling protected from the elements and the home's exterior brick walls were left exposed. A fireplace provides warmth and ambiance for colder months and was the centerpiece of family celebrations this past Christmas-the first holiday post-construction. On the floor, a unique feature: beautiful Pennsylvania that is maintenance free and applicable for both indoor and outdoor use.
A new deck extends from the sunroom and also features the Pennsylvania Bluestone. "With the exception of the step out over the doors [to the deck], the floor is continuous," said Pat. "It's a nice element to have on both sides."
An outdoor fireplace provides a gathering place for guests and, though a gas line was run from the main house to the new deck so that the Haydens wouldn't have to replace tanks on their grill, the fireplace has also been known to serve as a cooking space-especially for the grandkids who like to roast marshmallows and hot dogs there
The deck's stairway to the backyard was a part of the initial plans, but, once the work started, says Maggie, they found another project to work on. "The terrace wasn't in the original plans."
"I just saw that and thought, you guys could use some seating down there," Hodges said.
The back of the home and yard also got landscaping treatment and a new lighting concept that highlights the architectural elements of the addition and makes the space functional for day and night use.
In addition to providing new space for the Haydens, creative thinking on the part of those involved on the project helped to increase the utilization of existing spaces such as the backyard, a side entrance and a lower-level porch that previously had limited access.
From the decision to start their renovation project through completion, the process took about a year, though the actual construction took closer to six months.