You love your home as is, but it could use a little extra space. So, why not plan to expand it?
Maybe you’re ready to start a family, or you’d like some extra room for your belongings. No matter the reason, an addition is a great way to grant your home extra breathing room.
When you’re drafting a plan for your addition, consider these factors:
Will it match the rest of your home?
Since your addition will be built later than the rest of your home, it can be hard to match the style, colors, and finishes. Of course, it doesn’t need to look identical—however, one that’s too different can feel jarring and out of place.
But if you don’t want to compromise your vision, you may consider upgrading the rest of your home to match the addition.
Do you need to upgrade your HVAC system?
When you add more space to your home, make sure that your HVAC system can keep up. The capacity of your unit is measured in tonnage, a number that refers to how much heat the unit can cool in an hour. Find the tonnage of your AC unit to determine if it’s powerful enough to cool your new space. To locate it, you may need to look up the manufacturer’s name and model number.
The bigger your home is, the more tonnage your HVAC system will require. You don’t want your addition to be a sauna in the summertime! Make sure your unit can cool your new space.
What do you need an addition for?
The purpose that your new room serves will shape how it’s constructed, designed, and decorated. Identifying the function of your project will help you plan how to build it.
You may want to build an addition to increase the value of your home. More square footage = a higher selling price! In that case, you’ll want to construct something that most people will like.
However, if the expansion is just for your own pleasure, you’ve got free rein in terms of design. These considerations can shape the way you plan your project.
How will it attach to your home?
Conceptualizing an addition is one thing, but the logistics of it are another. You have to ask yourself where you plan to build it. To join your new addition to your home, you’ll need to demolish walls and construct new ones. Which side of your home will an addition look best on?
If you’re thinking about adding another bathroom, make sure it’s built in a convenient and accessible location. You’ll seldom use it if it’s in an awkward place!
Decide on the materials.
This part of the plan will depend on the type of room you’re adding. For example, let’s say that you’d like a new bathroom. What kind of countertops would you prefer? How about the sink and showerhead fixtures? Do you envision yourself lounging in a spacious claw-foot tub?
You may want to determine the materials after you’ve calculated construction costs. Materials can be flexible, but the cost of tearing down a wall or installing floors won’t be.
But there’s something else to keep in mind when you’re choosing materials, which we’ll get into next:
What’s your budget?
Of all the things to consider during a home renovation, this might be one of the most important ones. Going over your budget may put your finances in jeopardy. It’s tough to balance your ideal addition with your monetary limitations. But without restraint, things can get out of hand very quickly.
Underestimating the cost of a construction project is a common and inconvenient mistake. An extra bedroom or bathroom can greatly increase the resale value of your home—however, if you can’t afford it, you’re better off adjusting your plans accordingly.
Finding the right construction crew.
There are many reasons why you might decide on a home addition. Perhaps you need an office now that you’re working from home, or you want a sunroom to brighten up your space.
But even with a flawless plan and a comfortable budget, the quality of your project will be compromised by inexperienced contractors. Take the time to find a business that shares your vision and will work with you to achieve it.
At Urbano Design and Build, we’ve been in business for over 20 years. For high-quality work, give us a call to discuss the details of your next project.
