Is It a Good Idea to Add On to Your House?
This is a good question, and the answer is, “It depends.” Every home and homeowner’s needs and demands are unique. There are numerous aspects to consider when planning an addition to your house; some are obvious, while others are likely something you haven’t considered. The factors to consider, as given by home addition companies, include: Financial aspects When it comes to the finances, you need to think about the project’s final cost. This is because this is the single most expensive improvement you make to your property. To put it in perspective, most large additions are similar to building a new home. A home addition will contain all of the expenditures associated with building a new home, such as design, permitting, foundations, framing, HVAC, plumbing, electricity, insulation, windows, and so on, in addition to the price for the upgrades required to integrate the addition into the current home. It’s a significant investment, so do your homework before embarking on a home expansion project. If you are renovating the house for resale, you should think about the resale value of the property. Depending on what is included in your house addition and how long you want to live there, you may not be able to fully get back the cost of your addition when you sell it. As a general rule, if you want to stay in your house for less than 5 years, a home addition is unlikely to be the wisest investment for you. If you intend to stay for an extended period, speak with a realtor to determine the resale value of your neighbourhood’s homes. Remember that it’s not a good idea to be the most expensive house on the block, but if you notice a lot of home upgrading going on in your area, you can bet that the additional cost will be absorbed when it comes time to sell. Emotional considerations Why do you feel you need an addition? Is it because you feel cramped, need additional private space, or are you simply weary of the clutter? You should think about this and find out if there are ways to restructure the space you already have. Are there any unused rooms in your home, such as a basement, attic, or even a large living room you rarely use? Remodeling existing rooms is less expensive than adding a new structure to your home, and a smart contractor will think “outside the box” to identify solutions that do not require an addition. If you decide to build on or conduct a substantial renovation, ensure that the finished project is comfortable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. When building an extension, it should not be as simple as adding a box to a certain area of your home. It should be about creating a space that visually flows from old to new, both inside and out. Practical considerations Are you on a tight lot? Are there any setback requirements that come in the way of you adding a room to your home? Are you in a community with a Home Owners Association (HOA) that has tight rules about how you can […]
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6 Things to Think About When Planning Your Home Addition
When planning for a home addition, you need to think about plenty of things. These things include: Your needs and wants These might sound the same, but they are pretty different. You might need a home addition because your family has grown since you bought your house, and you now need additional space. You do this because you can’t afford to buy a bigger, newer house right now, so you need to add to the one you have. On the other hand, you can add to your house or fix it up to increase its value or make it look better. These two reasons have different approaches, and the type of addition you go with will heavily rely on them. Once you have identified whether you need or want your home addition, you should consult home addition contractors to help you brainstorm the best project to go with. If you want to make your home bigger, add a master bedroom or a bathroom. You could also add a family room or home office to give your kids a place to play or give yourself a place to work. Think about whether you want or need the extra space and what kind of room would work best for your family, then work with the contractors to make your dream a reality. Budget How much are you looking to spend on the project? You need to think about this. If this is your first time doing it, you should consult an experienced professional to help determine the amount of money you should set aside for your project. Required legal documents In most jurisdictions, you need to get paperwork showing whether you can officially build the home addition. So, always get them to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. You’ll need to get some permits, like a building permit, to ensure that the addition is allowed on your lot based on the rules in your area. You’ll also need plot plans that show that the addition will stay on your land. In most cases, you’ll need floor plans for your home addition to determine how much space it will take up on your lot. You can get legal plans for your property from the Registry of Deeds in your area, but you must call them first to ensure you have all the information you need. They will also direct you to the right place to get the relevant documents. You must visit your town or city hall to get the other papers. Again, it’s best to call before going to the office to avoid wasting time looking for papers in the wrong place. Inspection of the existing utilities Before you can think about building, you need to know how your utilities are set up so that you don’t damage them as you add the new house. If you add a whole second floor, you will need more electricity and put a lot of pressure on your drainage system. As you can tell, your home addition must have all the services needed to be livable, like lights, running water, and other amenities. When […]
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