What to Consider When Planning For A Home Addition

A home addition is a great way to add value to your home, increase the living space and make the home more attractive overall. However, home additions require proper planning beforehand to ensure quality results.

Before beginning the construction project, you should consider the budget, timeline and added appraised value of your home, along with the design and vision for the addition. Ensuring you meet all local building and zoning codes and do not drastically disrupt your neighbor’s day-to-day may also be important. The following is a review of each consideration and how to ensure your home addition goes as smoothly as possible through proper planning.

Determining The Budget & Timeline

Before you begin any home addition project, you should first determine how much you are willing and able to spend. It is easy to exceed your budget during a home addition project, which means starting with a strict budget and staying within it the best you possibly can is important.

When deciding your budget, consider the number of building materials and equipment you will need. You should also budget for the professional assistance you will need as well. This may include excavators, construction crews and more. You will also have to budget for minor costs such as paying for a building permit.

Based on what the estimated expenses are, you can set your budget. If the expenses are more than what you anticipated, then you may need to make changes to the building plans to lower the overall cost. If you have more flexibility after budgeting, then you can either strive to save money or make improvements to the building plan for an even great home addition.

Also, homeowners should plan for how long each step of the process will take. Of course, setbacks sometimes occur, but having a clearly laid out timeline can help you strive for predetermined goals. Keep in mind, however, that very few homeowners are able to follow their budget closely and stick to their timeline, so if you face any setbacks along the way, understand that it is normal and handle each issue with patience and remain calm.

Value Added To Your Home

Homeowners should always be aware of the resale value of their home, even if they have no intention to sell their home anytime soon. Whether it is a month from now or in thirty years, most homeowners (or their families) sell the home eventually. Therefore, a home addition should be considered a way to boost the appraised home value.

Some home additions offer a better return on investment (ROI) than others. When deciding on the best type of home addition, consider what other homes in your neighborhood have that you do not. You should also consider factors such as the added square footage, the quality of the materials you will use and how much labor cost is needed.

Of course, every home addition is unique. Each homeowner should evaluate the overall added value from the addition and appeal to potential buyers. Ideally, the home addition will come close to paying for itself or even result in a profit once the home is sold.

Design And Vision Of Finished State

The design and vision of your home addition can begin as soon as the finances are in order. This is the fun part for many homeowners, but it also takes careful and strategic planning to ensure you get the most appraised and practical value out of your home addition.

Homeowners who have experience in home additions, remodels and renovations may be able to plan the design themselves, especially if they know how to use home design software. If not, then it may be best to hire a professional.

The home addition should take into consideration the original home design. For example, if the home has a more rustic look, then adding a home addition that has a more modern and urban design may not be the best option. The home addition should also take into consideration the practical value, comfortability and its primary intended use.

Impact On Your And Your Neighbors’ Day-To-Day

If your home addition involves loud machinery and construction noises, then the neighbors are likely to notice. Most neighbors are not bothered by temporary construction noises in their neighborhood as improving your home value may actually help them as well.

However, it is important to communicate well with your neighbors and let them know of your plans. In some cases, you may need to stop construction temporarily out of respect for your neighbor, such as if they are selling their home and showing a prospective buyer.

By communicating early and often with your neighbors about your plans, it can help avoid any conflicts and build a trusting and friendly relationship.

Meeting Building Codes And Zoning Laws

Homeowners typically require a building permit before they begin the project, which homeowners can apply for with their local building department. To be approved for the permit, the building plan must meet all building and zoning codes. This may place limits on how far the addition can extend from the original home, ensure the addition does not come too close to wetlands and more. If there are any concerns with the building plan, the local building department can make them known and adjustments can be made accordingly.

Homeowners should also consider their property line and any other potential obstacles (trees, power lines, etc.) that may prevent a problem during the construction stage. Based on the potential concerns, homeowners can make good decisions, which may include removing certain obstacles or changing the area of the original home that the addition will be built.

Contact The Experts On Home Additions, Renovations And Remodeling

Dirt Connections helps homeowners in the local community with their home addition, renovation and remodeling needs. Call our team today to receive professional assistance throughout the home addition project. We are glad to answer your questions and help you establish a plan before your home addition, renovation or remodel begins.