{"id":5305,"date":"2021-12-13T13:31:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T20:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/?p=5305"},"modified":"2021-12-13T13:31:43","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T20:31:43","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-planning-a-home-addition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/a-beginners-guide-to-planning-a-home-addition","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner’s Guide to Planning a Home Addition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Does your house seem to be feeling\nincreasingly smaller? Perhaps your family has spent too much time cramped together\nover the past year, there is a new baby on the way, or you simply need some\nextra space for the home office or hobbies. If moving isn\u2019t a desirable option,\nit is finally time to add more square footage to your house. How do you go\nabout it? How do you plan a successful home addition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article discusses the\nsteps involved in a home addition, how to make sure you are not in violation of\nzoning regulations, what to consider when building an addition, and how to\nbudget for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Stages Involved in Planning a Home Addition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Define your goal(s).<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first process in planning a home addition is clarifying what you want to achieve. You might find the idea for your home addition on the internet or in a magazine. However, you can\u2019t afford to move ahead without pausing to think about how it would play out in real life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Define the purpose of the home addition. Are you increasing your home\u2019s square footage to increase the value<\/a> or are you trying to build a private retreat for yourself? It is imperative to specify the size of your home addition as well as the layout and the materials to be used in the design and construction <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ask the right questions.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to ask the right\nquestions to get the right answers for your home addition project. To get some\nideas, check out home addition before and after pictures on Pinterest<\/a>. Here are some questions to ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) How much is it going to cost?<\/strong> You need to research and get a general estimate of how much home additions cost in your area, and then, factor in the specifics of your home and the extension. Prepare a budget for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) Is it going to be worth it?<\/strong> A rough estimate of the cost of the project will be valuable here, as you will be able to compare the potential benefits to the expense. If your goal is to raise the value of the house, a costly extension project may not prove to be worth the cost. Discuss your home renovation with a local realtor to understand the impact it will have on your home\u2019s overall value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if your goal is\nto improve the standard of living for you and your family, you may be able to\nrationalize the project expenses. Many people are willing to take on the\nexpense if they are planning to stay in their home for the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c) How much will the addition affect the layout of your home? <\/strong>It is critical to consider how the home addition will change the current layout of your home, and the flow. For example, adding a new floor to your home will also require you to build a stairway for access, and you\u2019ll need to find a spot where a stairway makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d) How much space do you have for a home addition?<\/strong> Find out how much space your current home layout allows for additions. You should also check in with your zoning department to learn more about setbacks in your area. We\u2019ll discuss more about zoning regulations later in this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

e) Is a home addition really your only option?<\/strong> You may be better off making the best use of your current home layout by repurposing rooms and moving walls rather than adding a completely new structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Understand the different types of home addition projects.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have several options when it\ncomes to choosing and planning a home addition. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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