According to a report, the home remodeling market will reach $1,317.50 billion by 2030. The market exhibits a 4.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
Consider building a home addition if you’re planning on adding space to your home. But, remember that home additions are costly, comparing them to home renovations.
But, by adding extra space to your property, your investment might pay off considerably. There are many forms of home additions.
Maybe it’s time to build that recreational area you dream about daily. Or is your relative planning to move in?
Whatever your reasons are for a home addition, you will add space and value to your property. But, the home addition process can be daunting without expert help.
Note that you need a proper planning and execution strategy to add that personal touch to your property.
Keep reading to know what to consider when planning a home addition.
1. Types of Home Additions
When planning a home addition, you need to know the pain points in your current home design that you can solve by adding more space. Also, consider your family’s future needs and how the home addition will benefit you in the future.
There are several types of home additions to choose from when adding space to your home. Some of them include:
Adding an Extra Floor
Building an extra floor will be a very effective way of adding space to your home. An extra floor will also significantly increase your home’s resale value.
But, this type of home addition is the most expensive and might cost you over $100,000. Consult a builder or architect to know if your home will handle the second floor you plan to add.
Turning the Porch Into a Sunroom
You might have a front porch where you and your family go to relax. A nice improvement is closing it up and turning it into a sunroom.
Afterward, you can add an AC, comfy furniture, and ample lighting for an extra living space.
Finishing the Basement
You can increase the space in your home by excavating your basement. Your basement will be great for creating space for a home office, entertainment areas, basement apartment, or a home theater.
Adding a Home Extension
Nowadays, back and side home extensions are widespread. Most districts don’t allow front extensions – the reason they are less common.
You will need expert help in deciding on a home extension. That’s because not all designs will be compatible with your home.
Utilizing Your Attic
Consider converting your attic into a habitable space. About half the ceiling space should reach seven feet.
Also, have a stairway connecting the house to the attic. You will have excellent rest and playrooms in your attic.
Never get a home addition just because it sounds nice. You can contact the best home remodeling experts to learn more about the home addition option best for you.
Whatever your future needs are, ensure you prepare for it now with the most appropriate home additions.
2. Financing a New Addition to Your Home
After deciding the type of home additions, know about the budget and costs. First, consider the value of your entire house – the home addition cost should be at least 10-15% of your home’s current value.
If you’re thinking about realizing your addition, it’s time to speak to a professional. An architect will aid you in envisioning your new home addition, creating plans, and ensuring the home addition is feasible and safe.
A contractor will help you determine the costs and how to fund the project. Are you planning on using your savings or taking a loan?
Your wants and the variables of your home will dictate the cost of your home addition. Also, contractors charge differently, so make sure you look for the best contractor estimate.
Note that a DIY home addition project is possible, but you need time and confidence in your skill. Set your limits when making home additions to avoid beginning a project you can’t afford.
Being honest with yourself provides a clear picture of your needs and expectations. That way, you can effectively lay the groundwork for your addition project.
You must invest much of your time and resources in your home addition. Remember that the addition process might also disrupt the comfort of your home for a long time.
3. Finding a Reputable Contractor
Should you call a contractor or head out to the hardware store? By deciding to DIY, you must ensure your team knows about home additions and has the necessary skills.
That way, you will prevent rushing into an unachievable endeavor and noticing it too late after spending thousands of dollars. Once you decide to DIY, you’re responsible for every mistake.
The worst thing is that you will only notice some mistakes after switching the light switch. So, make sure you know when to call a contractor for help.
You can begin by getting referrals from family, a close friend, or a co-worker with a new home addition. If the work is satisfying, they will tell you about it.
Also, if they have had a bad experience with their contractor, they will be happy to warn you against working with them. Some online contractor grading sites will help you know whether you’re talking to a reputable contractor.
The sites offer their grades based on the contractors’ user reviews. Consider consulting a few contractors to weigh their cost estimates and ideas first.
Also, work with an insured, licensed, and bonded contractor to avoid tax, liability, or quality issues.
4. Visiting Your Local Zoning Department
Do you know the type of permits you need for your home addition? Your local zoning department will be a good resource for this information.
You will avoid paying heavy fines once you know your local area requirements on home additions. Ensure your project is complying with your municipality’s building standards.
Note that unpermitted work can hinder your selling process. You must disclose all unpermitted renovations and additions when selling your home.
Note that there are limits on how far your building should be from the property line and height limits. Also, the utility lines near your home will dictate where to build.
Check-in with your zoning department to get the necessary information early. You can receive a variance for your home addition project as an exception.
5. Designing the Space
A home addition project is different from building a new home from scratch. A new home allows creativity when heading into any design direction you love.
But, a home addition has a freedom limitation since you’re working with your existing style. You might not be particularly fond of various aspects of your house’s existing style.
But, you can visually connect the old and new to complement the old with a new and unique space. Here, the service of a professional becomes valuable.
Architects construct a space depending on your style preference, home aesthetics, and the feeling you want to evoke. They will also create fitting home additions and spaces that benefit you more.
For instance, you might have a home with small rooms and windows. The addition will create more space, and it can have larger windows.
To have a blended new look, you will have to use similar materials, details, colors, and design aesthetics to your old home. Guarantee that each material and finishing you choose matches or complements the existing ones in your home.
A typical homeowner will find it hard to get all these elements right. That’s why you need a design professional to assist you in creating the best possible home additions.
6. Knowing How Your New Addition Will Blend Into Your House
Roof elevations and matching floors are difficult things to do during a home addition project. Lining up your floors is vital and will begin by placing the foundation.
When your contractor fails to get the perfect depth, your floor, foundation, framing, and roof will be off. Also, consider the impact your new space addition will have on the structural systems in your house.
Extra square footage might affect the heating and cooling equipment in your house. That’s because manufacturers size the equipment to perform at specific capacities.
A few rooms or cooling load additions can result in the need for larger equipment. Consult your HVAC contractor to see if the addition will affect your equipment sizes.
Your new space will also need new lighting devices, so ensure the electrical panel has spares to cater for the addition’s circuits.
A bathroom or kitchen addition can affect your plumbing system due to the extra plumbing fixtures. That’s because they might reduce the water pressure forcing you to add pumping systems to your home.
Your new home addition will also significantly affect your home’s structural system. For instance, consider providing adequate support for the entire load above the opening if you have to blow out a wall.
7. Will You Move or Live in the Construction Zone?
Whether to move or live in the construction zone will depend on the project’s scope, sequence, and timeline. Some people are okay while some are not with living in their houses, but your comfort is of utmost importance.
Your contractor can plan the construction sequence to minimize disturbance to the house. That will allow you to live through the addition project if you can’t afford to rent elsewhere in the meantime.
But most people find the dust and noise irritating and prefer moving out during the project. Please discuss with your contractor first whether there is a need to move during the construction. Have it all in the contract.
8. Communicating the Schedules and Timelines
Ensure you create the project’s entire schedule with your contractor. On top of the date of completion, inquire about the interim milestones that aid you in knowing when to fulfill installment payments.
The interim milestones also state whether the contractor is working within the original timeline. For instance, inquire about the number of workers on the site to complete a set timeline.
You can expect delays when the contractor states eight workers, but only three came in for work that week. That might as well be a possible breach of contract.
Ask the contractor about the date when they will complete the paint and flooring work. The contractor must finish electrical and plumbing repairs first.
9. Handling all the Logistics
There are minor details to consider if you decide to go ahead with your home addition project. Note that these will apply if you decide to move or live in the construction zone.
Some of the factors include:
Packing Your Belongings
Make sure you pack and store all items in the room next to the construction area. That’s because vibrations from the equipment can knock off pictures and wall hangings on the adjacent wall.
Also, precious items might fall off the shelves, and dust can infiltrate the closets.
Know Your Schedule
Notify your family about your schedule plan before the project commences. It’s also good to notify your neighbors as well.
Arrange for Child and Pet Care
Have your kids and pets far away from the construction site. Make the necessary arrangements early to have your whole family away during business hours.
Create a Meal Plan
Your construction project can turn your life upside down. The last thing you want in the evening is to figure out what to have on your plate.
Ensure you create a meal plan including take-out and frozen casseroles. You can also grill your meat outside to help relieve your stress.
Proper preparation will guarantee your home addition project goes well. Your family will also adjust well to the change in lifestyle, providing a smooth transition.
Consider Having a Home Addition
There are many things you have to consider when planning on a home addition.
Remember, your new home addition should look like it was original to the old house and not an addition. That’s why you need to hire an expert contractor.
Also, please discuss with your contractor any significant life events that might stop them from accessing your home. Ensure you have an open line of communication with your contractor for prompt communication.
Check out our other blog posts to learn more about home renovations.
