Things to Think About When Building an Addition to Your House

Whether you’ve been thinking about expanding the house for years or the vision recently came to mind, you are dead set on making changes to your current home. Before getting started with the work though, make sure to consider some important points to ensure that the process runs smoothly.

Choose the Rooms

One of the most basic steps is to decide exactly what rooms you want to add to the house and where. Think about what type of rooms your family will realistically use and what the current need is in your home. For example, if everyone is always fighting over the bathroom, consider adding another one of these spaces. Another option is to have an extension with one or more bedrooms built. This decision can be particularly useful if you’re planning to expand your family in the near future.

Photo by Choice Home Remodeling Inc.

Consider the Placement

You also have to think about whether you want to expand upward or outward. In other words, take into account whether the additions are going to lead to a second or third floor to the house, or if the new rooms will take up some space that currently makes up the yard or even lead to the creation of a basement level. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. The first task here is to find out what is allowed in the community. For example, you may simply not be permitted to have a house over a certain height.

Photo by aamodt / plumb architects

Plan Where to Stay

Depending upon the type of room additions, you may not be able to stay in the house during the renovations. Have a conversation with the contractors about how long the renovations are expected to take and how much time you will need to move out. Keep in mind that contractors are typically able to give estimates, not exact deadlines because unexpected issues can arise. Plan to stay with relatives or to live in an extended stay hotel for at least a bit longer than the estimated time suggests.

Photo by Moore Architects, PC

Get the Furniture

Craft a vision for your room early on. Doing so will allow you to take your time in getting the furniture. This preparation is especially important when delays in shipping speeds could affect how long it takes to fully furnish the room. If you have a vision for the room now, you can start placing orders for furniture and decorations while the renovations are underway.

Photo by IQ Glass UK

Building an addition to your house doesn’t have to be a hassle or incredibly chaotic. With the right amount of forethought, you can plan for what might become an inconvenience and find a way to work around it. It’s important that you give serious thought to what exactly you want to do, where it will go on your house, and what you’ll need during and after the project is finished. Carefully consider the project in order to have a smooth experience the entire time.