Q. I am looking to either add on a small 10 x 10 room, a sunroom, or enclose the existing deck with a roof and screen. What kind of costs am I looking at?

A. The actual costs would depend on your area and your contractor. But a 10x10 room or sunroom would involve structural changes which would of course run more than roofing and screening a deck. What is more important is which addition would add more value to your home. Which one would improve your home for your needs? A deck, unless you are in a year-round temperate climate, wouldn't get as much use as the other two additions. That should figure in your costs.

Q. We are considering selling our home in the next year and have been watching a lot of HGtv and DIY. All those shows seem to say the same thing...update your home to increase value. I'd like to have someone come to our home to let us know what we would list our house for today and what additions, changes, remodeled areas would add value to our home so that if we do sell it, we'd be able to make money on those changes. And, if we don't sell, we'd be able to enjoy those changes for years to come. So, who would we talk to about this? A real estate agent? An appraiser? I know that an appraiser would charge a fee, but what would a real estate agent expect? Would it be a fee or a signed contract to sell the house if we do decide to sell?

A. Contact a local Real Estate agent (since an appraisal isn't for value to sell it's for the lender to determine financing) Tell the agent you want to know what your home would sell for realistically NOW but that you are debating whether or not to sell/list now. The CMA should be FREE. You are under no obligation to use that Realtor and for an agent to do some local comps for you only takes a short visit to your home (to see it) then run the info through the PC. If and when you decide to sell - then to list as a seller you pay all the commissions (and the amount is negotiable) average listing commissions run from 4-7%. Remodeling and updates don't always pay back at 100% of your cost to implement them so paint, new carpet, updated appliances, etc are good things but don't tear down bearing walls or anything expensive for updates. The same agent who helps you comp it out should be able to give you realistic remodeling expectations as well for your area. Good Luck

Q. Do additions (structural and attached) eventually change the classification of a manufactured home for refinancing and insurance purposes? At what point does this happen? Our house is no longer what I would consider mobile at all! lol We are in a very rural setting and the building has been done to code although no inspections were required. The home is a 2003 model. The addition does have foooters and a foundation.

A. It would change when the county inspects it and decides it is no longer a trailer. The odds of that happening are close to zero. How many of those "attachments" even have building permits?

Q. I am looking to do a remodel and possibly a home addition on a home I have lived in the past 10 years. Does anyone know of a reliable business or a way to find a reliable company that is the Raleigh/Cary/Apex, NC area?

A. Http://www.nari.org/level2/homeowners/.. try this site.

Q. We want to add a garage w/ bonus room, and extend out back with an additional room or two. Will require HVAC upgrades. What can I expect to pay / square foot?

A. $60 per sq ft basic. $100 gets you luxury. Can you do any of it yourself? /

Q. I'm looking to find out if there is some type of knowledgebase website. I want something that deals with building custom homes, additions and remodels.

A. Yes called home design data base http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=home+design+data+base&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Q. We have to put a new roof on our house while at the same time we know that we have drywood termites. Our home has hardwood floors, wood paneling and wood beam ceiling in our den. A new roof is going to be going in, should we termite AFTER the new roof to treat the new installation or go ahead and termite now since our roof won't probably go until September.

A. In Arizona it is law that when (this is for a MANUFACTURED HOME) EXCAVATION DIRT WORK IS DONE & BEFORE HOME IS SET CALL PEST CONTROL THEY HAVE TERMITE SPRAY IT COSTS BUT IN THE LONG RUN IT IS WELL WORTH IT!!! but...make sure its not water...In other words be there DON"T GET RIPPED OFF!!!!

Q. I know it is hard to give an exact dollar amount but ideally give me a ballpark figure on what it might cost to add a full bath and a 12 by 12bedroom addition to a home

A. Almost impossible to do....of course the price is going to vary by the area you live in. i would suggest contacting the better business bureau, then make sure you get several contractors names and ask them to bid on the project. make sure you check on their licenses with the state. all bids should include architecture plans as well as permitting costs (they need to pull the permits for you). good luck.