26 Jan 2022

After scouring the internet for inspiration boards, reading home magazines, and watching home improvement shows, you may be thinking about working on a home addition.  

Whether you are looking to expand the bedroom, bathroom or want to create a cozy den for all the family, there are so many options when it comes to home additions. If you are settled in your decision and are ready to expand your home, then you need to be prepared for a lot of work.

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To ensure you are making the right decision and to help things run smoothly, there are some questions you should ask yourself. 

  • What Is My Budget?

Perhaps the most important question you can ask yourself before working on a home addition is in regards to your budget. Determining how much you can spend will help you in many other areas of the project, including the kind of work you do and who you can hire.

To work out your budget, perform research into home addition work in your particular field. Work out how much, on average, this kind of work costs, as well as get in touch with local contractors to find out their pricing. 

It is also important to note that the cost of a home addition can vary based on your local area and the kind of property you are working on.

  • Does This Addition Work With The House?

Adding onto the home is a great way to improve the space and to offer more room for the family, but you also need to consider how it will affect the property itself. 

For a home addition to have the right effect, there needs to be a good tie-in with the property to make sure it fits in. A home addition should not look like an addition, as it should instead fit in with the appearance and shape of the home as much as possible.

Consider whether the addition will complement the style of the home, whether it will fit in with the size and shape of the property, and how it will look from the outside. 

You can hire a professional, like an architect, to work with you on this step as they will create designs for you.

  1. How Long Will This Project Take?

A home addition of any kind is not going to be a fast project. It is very likely going to take some time for this kind of work to be done well, and to the standards, you are looking for, which is something you can plan out before.

It is a good idea to try and plan out the home addition schedule so you can work around your daily routine. Your home addition project may influence your day-to-day life, so you will need to consider whether additional accommodation is required and whether you can stay with relatives during this time.

The time of the project can also contribute to the total cost of the work, which is why setting realistic expectations are important.

  • Will This Addition Add Value To The Home?

Even if you are not planning on moving from your home for a long time – or if at all – it is still a good idea to determine whether a home addition will add value to the property.

This is always a good mindset to have when working on home renovations and remodeling because it will help you keep on track in terms of budgeting. The amount of money you spend on the home addition should contribute to the value of the home, as you want the best appraisal possible.

You can research your neighborhood and speak to a realtor about your home to get a good idea of the current value of your home. 

  • Are There Zoning Restrictions To Consider?

You may not be aware of the restrictions and regulations that are in place for your property. In most cases, there are rules about what you can build and where, which you will need to abide by when working on a home addition.

Zoning restrictions will differ based on your area, but in most cases, you will not be able to build within 20 feet of the front property, 7.5 feet on either side, or 15 feet of the rear.

Make sure to check with your local authorities before doing any work on your home and obtain the necessary planning permissions where required.

  • How Can I Clean This Up?

Before working on your home, you should have a clean-up process in mind. There will be a lot of materials to dispose of, and in most cases, the best option is to hire a roll-off dumpster.

With a dumpster onsite, you can easily dispose of materials and debris as the project progresses. Renting a dumpster is a way to ensure peace of mind as well as make the project run smoothly because you have a solution on your property.

There are several kinds of dumpsters available to hire, based on your needs.

  • What Issues Should I Prepare For?

There may be issues that arise as you work on adding a room to your home. 

While you cannot predict everything that may happen, it is a good idea to consider the kind of issues you may face throughout the addition work so you can include them in your timeline and budget.