A home addition creates a new, beautiful space, most often for addressing the growing needs of a family or even just for luxury and comfort, entertaining or hobby purposes. And while not every home addition project can add monetary value to your house, some can (mostly bathroom and deck additions) and may be another driving force behind the choice to undertake an addition project. Regardless, it most often costs more money to move as opposed to remodeling, so you may consider an addition a wise investment regardless if it boosts the price of your home or not. When undertaking such a project there are some concepts to take into consideration, including cost, the planning process, design considerations, how to assemble your team and what to know about how it will impact your current lifestyle while the project is in motion.
A lower (or upper!) screened-in porch is a great addition idea to add more protective entertaining space.
Addition Cost
First up is the cost consideration.
Will an addition add value to your home, and if it doesn’t can you live with that? Factor in if you plan to stay in the home for quite a few more years. If so, cost may be less of an issue than if you plan to sell within the next few years. Bottom line: have a realistic idea of what the payback will be whether it’s lifestyle or financial investment.
Because the extent of a home addition varies so widely it can be difficult to determine what the exact cost will be. An addition cost can range from $80 per square foot to as much as $330 per square foot. An established contractor/builder can help you determine costs. And as with any building or remodeling project, it’s best to budget high from the get-go so you can plan for any surprises that come up during the project.
Consider if there is a lower-cost way to achieve what you want. If the payback just isn’t adding up, and especially if you don’t plan to stay in the home, it’s logical to look for ways to cut costs. This may mean reconfiguring/repurposing an existing living space, or using an attic or basement for the intended purpose.
For a full run-down of average remodeling costs of various types of projects, plus their resale value, consult Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs Value Report.
Planning an Addition
In the planning process don’t forget about zoning laws and codes. Your construction team or architect should understand the local laws and codes, but it’s beneficial for you to understand them too. It’s confirmed peace-of-mind to know your project doesn’t impede any restrictions. Check with your local building department for a list of guidelines.
During the planning process is when you’ll want to research all your options. This may include considering hanging the addition off the side of the house — called a “bump-out addition” — so you don’t have to pay for foundation work or even a roof. While bump-outs are generally smaller areas they can be enough space for a generous walk-in closet, a dining area off of your kitchen, an office or a small family room.
Designing Your Addition
How will the addition’s design and style mix with the rest of the house? Adding on to a house takes some planning to make sure the new space matches the existing. While you may want the new space to utilize new materials and design options, it needs to compliment the existing style of the house in all ways. This may mean doing some updating overall but usually you can incorporate a more modern space seamlessly with some tricks an architect or designer can implement into the plan. This usually means choosing some materials that match, but also ones that can compliment well the existing space. With materials such as wood flooring, for example, an experienced flooring contractor can match the species and stain of existing wood flooring. When dealing with older materials, plenty of companies deal in reproduction materials, but this may be an opportunity for your designer to suggest complimentary materials.
Assembling Your Addition Team
A few of our team members standing in front of a snowy custom build! Check out their “Contractor Spotlight.”
It is critical to hire the right professionals. Building an addition onto your home requires several different parts involving not only the design but the materials and methods for construction, and it’s important to find the right contractors to ensure it’s constructed properly and safely. Your team may include an architect, plumber, electrician, roofer, HVAC professional and painter, just to name a few. A qualified, experienced contractor likely has most, if not all, of these professionals on hand to complete the job. However, whatever type of professionals you assemble for the job, it’s wise to consider the following:
Do they have the proper licensing?
Who recommends them? Your family and friends serve as some of the best recommenders.
What other projects have they completed? Can they share examples so you can see their craftsmanship? Can you talk to the client, and what do they have to say about the professional and their opinion on the process as well as the finished work?
What does the contractor have to say about your project? Do they seem to understand your vision and is your experience positive when you are interacting with them?
Do they have references they can share? Call and actually check their references.
Compare the bids you receive from each contractor. What is driving the difference in price? It’s not about the lowest bid, but the one who seems to be the most cost-effective, able to give you a quality product and process.
Adapting to Lifestyle Changes
Yes, the process is a little messy, but the finished project is sure worth it! Check out this finished custom home project here.
Lastly, we’d like to prepare you for the reality of an addition project. All remodeling projects come with a degree of mess and disruption to your life. Day-to-day comforts may not be as available during this time, there may be delays and in general your house may be in disarray for a period of time. But using these tips can make the process a little easier.
Remove furniture and any other freestanding items in rooms where contractors will be working.
Hang up tarps or plywood to seal off construction areas to contain dust and debris.
Put down rugs on floorings where construction professionals will frequently walk in order to protect floors and also contain dust and debris.
Keep children out of all areas where construction is occurring.
Stay at a hotel or a family member’s or friend’s home throughout the construction process, if possible.
Consider how you will conduct day-to-day activities. Do you have a second bathroom you can use if one bathroom is torn apart as part of the construction process? What if your kitchen isn’t accessible during the project - do you have an alternate area you can prepare and eat meals, or will you primarily eat out?
Do you have a plan if there is a delay in the project? Delays can and do often happen. Bad weather and other unforeseen issues completely out of the contractor’s control delay projects. Make sure your plan includes ideas for what you’ll do if the projects extends longer than intended.
Remain flexible throughout the process. It is only temporary, and the finished project will provide you with years of joy and relaxation.
Thinking about starting your own addition project? There is plenty of time to get started before colder weather hits. To get the ideas flowing, check out our advice on selecting flooring for your home (and maybe for a new addition!)