Understand Your Needs From Wants
The first order of business when making home addition plans is defining your goals. Ask yourself questions such as what is most important to you, what is the purpose of the home addition, and what can fit within your budget. It is imperative to clearly state the size and scope of your project, as well as the layout and the materials to be used in the design and construction phases.
Only when you have figured out your priorities and taken care of your needs can you then shift your attention to fulfilling what you want to get out of your home addition project.
Plan a Budget
It’s important to know how much you are willing to spend so you can choose a type of home addition that is feasible based on your budget. We advise doing your research ahead of time when planning so you can get a rough estimate of the costs of the home addition you want.
When building an addition to your house, keep in mind costs can vary based on your location, the availability of materials, and if your property has special conditions such as a sloping landscape, and local zoning regulations, among other factors. Make sure to factor into your original budget some wiggle room to account for any unexpected costs. Contact a professional contractor to ensure you are receiving the most accurate estimate of how much your home addition expenses will likely be.
Understanding Property Lines, Local Zoning Codes
Property lines are set in place to define where your land ends and where your neighbour’s properties begin. Knowing where your property ends will help you identify where you’re legally allowed to build, understand the allocated space to work with, and how close you can build to your neighbour.
Check-in with your local zoning department to find out what permits you may need. Your home addition must comply with established building standards in your municipality, and you can avoid paying very heavy fines by simply taking the time to find out what you can and cannot do when adding an addition to your house.
Create a Design or Vision
I want to put an addition on my house where do I start? We know that home additions can certainly be an overwhelming renovation project to take on. If you are unsure of where to begin, looking at your current floor plan is a good starting point.
Contact a designer as early in the planning process as possible because a contractor needs to work with professional drawings to build a successful home addition. Think about how you’ll live in the space and include functionality that will fit your needs. Also, consider how the addition will look from the outside.
Selecting Materials and Finishes
A major item to plan and budget for when adding an addition to your house is the materials and finishes you want to use. Your first choice may not always be available, the materials may not work in the space you have planned for, or the finishes are out of your price range, so make sure to plan for your second and third choices just in case.
There are a host of material and finish options and by working with a designer, you are sure to find a selection that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic needs.