In order to plan your home addition, you must first examine all the elements involved. This will ensure that it surpasses what you had envisioned. No matter what type of home addition you want, there are common factors that need to be addressed before starting your project. These include the purpose of the room, its connection with your existing house, the material choice, the layout and the budget.
Home additions can be a great way to expand your living area and increase the value of your home.
Read on to find out how you can add a new family room or a kitchen in the rear.
10 Tips for Taking Your Dream Addition From Concept to Completion
1. Define your vision. What is the purpose for the additional space?
Define the problem that your home addition will solve. Write down your vision for the new addition. Add pictures to a vision board of the style and materials for your room, as well as ideas about fixtures, paint colors and other features. Include features such as an island or fireplace. Dream BIG and express your dreams with words and images.
2. Budget: Create a plan for the home addition.
Budget your home addition realistically. The size of your room, the materials you choose, and the scope of the project all play a role. Not paying cash is a problem. Arrange your financing in advance. Before presenting you with ideas, builders need to know how much you expect to spend. After you have set your budget, you can start planning your addition.
3. Choose your contractor carefully: the design-build method will save you money and time.
Asking friends and family for referrals will help you find the right person to work with. Get referrals from friends and family. Check out reviews and testimonials. Interview your top candidates after narrowing down the list. Communication is important. You can ask to see their latest work and then make your final choice based on gut feeling.
The homeowner can either hire an architect-builder or a design builder. Gregory Contracting uses a design-build method for your project, so that everyone on the team is on the same page from the first drawings through to the final construction of your addition. You’ll avoid redesigns and save time and money by using the design-build approach.
4. What are your absolute must-haves in your home?
Make a list with your must-haves, and another list with “splurges that you would like to have.
5. Verify zoning laws to overcome any obstacles.
Check your property boundaries and rights of ways to ensure that your building permits and inspectors are successful. Review local zoning laws regarding height restrictions, setbacks and other legal restrictions.
Are there any power lines you will have to work around? You may want to keep your favorite tree in the backyard despite the addition. How will your construction crew get their equipment in your backyard?
6. Choose the best location to add your addition.
The design of an extension depends on your house and the type of extension you need. There may be obstacles such as lot lines, or even other obstacles depending on how your house is laid out.
Gregory Contracting can instantly assess the best place to add the addition.
7. The floor plan is located near the addition options.
The contractor will then move into the house and look at the floor plan. A new kitchen built close to an existing one can save on costs and mechanical work, since you won’t have to move plumbing and major fixtures across the entire house.
8. Consider all options and choose the best one.
Before committing, consider all your options. You might consider moving the kitchen to the new space and installing all the mechanicals. Then, you could repurpose the current kitchen as a pantry, powder or mud room, laundry room, or a mudroom.
If you are looking to create a family space, you will need to consider openings in the existing space. Determine if the room is to be a separate space with a door that can be closed or if it should be an Open Concept, which opens up the entire rear wall of your home.
9. Plan: Meet the designer.
You will see your vision come to life when you sit down with the designer. It is important that the new room or rooms blend in with your existing home. As you plan the floor and choose the finishes, you’ll ensure that it fits seamlessly into the style of your home.
Our design-build approach at Action Builders places a high emphasis on planning, even before the first nail has been hammered. The proven, streamlined process keeps your project within budget and on time, while ensuring high-quality workmanship.
10. Plan, prepare and pack: Handle logistics.
Make arrangements for your pets if they are usually home during the construction of your home. For the safety of your children, make sure they are not in the construction area. store and pack fragile items in the room next to the construction zone.
Get the home addition of your dreams!
It’s time to enjoy the home of your dreams. Home additions increase your daily enjoyment while increasing the value of your home in the greater Twin Cities region.
Gregory Contracting is a one stop shop for all your architectural, engineering and construction needs. We guide you in the design process by listening to your ideas and guiding you.
Contact us if you have questions about the addition of your home.