There are many out there who enjoy do-it-yourself (DIY) home projects. They not only want to make their house even more beautiful and functional but like to do things themselves. It may not be about the added cost, but simply being able to build something on your own.
It is one thing to add new appliances or get a gas grill for outside, but you may be looking for something to beautify your house and give it a sense of style. This is where a verandah can be a perfect choice. These are beautiful platforms going along the outside of your house, that can be functional and stylish. Your verandah can be a great place to sit and enjoy the beautiful day outside or it can be a romantic location for you and that someone special.
Should You Build It Yourself?
No doubt this would be a great addition to your home. The question is should this be something you build yourself?
The DIY nature in you likely wants to build this on your own. Maybe you have built extensions onto your house or remodel your garage. You know you have the capability, but this may not be a project you want to undertake. In other words, it is not recommended that you build your own verandah.
Before you get outraged, consider that there are some negatives to trying to do this project on your own. First, this is an extensive project. A verandah usually extends from the front of your house all the way to the back. A true verandah also has a covering over the top. This not only means that you must build the foundational structure itself but extend your roof as well. Gutters need to be added or moved, you will need to provide proper support and foundation, and much more.
This type of undertaking can be quite time-consuming. Plus, it is something you cannot do on your own. You are going to need some assistance to help you accomplish building your verandah, and that may not be available to you. At least, you may not be able to get all the assistance you require.
In addition, you have to worry about the initial structure itself. This is especially true with your roof, where adding the extended covering could present structural problems for your roof. Some have even found that they needed to pull rows of shingles from the initial roof area before being able to install the covering for the verandah.
What Your Community May Require
You may also discover that there are permits required for you to add a verandah to your home. In fact, you can be quite sure that permits are required. You are likely going to face some resistance from local bureaucrats on building this project on your own. It is not that they doubt your ability to deliver. It is simply that they are trying to ensure that you meet all building codes for the community.
What you may find is that it is far more cost-effective and in your best interest to hire someone to build a verandah for you. Consider that you are likely going to spend at least a couple of months working on this project. That is a lot of your personal time that could be spent in more profitable ways. Thus, you may seriously want to consider not making your verandah a DIY project.