Get Answers Before Building an Addition To Your Home

For homeowner's who love everything about their home, but may feel a little cramped, building an addition to increase your usable space can be a good solution. Whether it's adding on to the kitchen, creating an elegant master suite, or even a guest bath or home office, building an addition can improve your home, increase its value and solve your space problems.

The possibilities when building an addition are almost endless and only limited by your imagination and of course your budget. Let's take a look at some of the steps and considerations you'll need to undertake when building an addition to your home.

The First Step: Is Building An Addition Possible?

even for this tiny addition, a site plan and special watershed permits were needed because of a tributary stream on an adjacent property.

First, you'll need to look at some basic information. Locate your property lines and develop a plot plan for your project. A plot plan shows everything contained within your property lines including outbuildings, fencing, landscaping and your home. It also shows the location of utilities and access. This is all important information because you town most likely have zoning regulations that may affect where, and how you build your new addition.

Your contractor will often know local codes and setbacks. They may also have to research the municipal zoning code. A design-build contractor can develop your plot plan, which you may need to present to your local building department or planning commission to receive permission to build. A professional contractor will typically complete this process as part of their services, doing design and securing all permits.

Next, Develop a Design and Create the Plans

a precise plan is necessary when creating a custom indoor pool addition

If you have plenty of space around your home, your design-build contractor might be able to begin design without going to to the expense of securing permits ahead of time. Work with your design-build contractor to take a look at the flow and design of the existing structure. They will work with you to define your needs, understand your vision, and then offer guidance on the most appropriate, useful and economical solution for meeting your needs.

Adding an addition is, however, about more than just adding space. It must seamlessly work with your home's existing exterior style and design. They will then go back and begin to create the plans for your addition. This process includes detailed descriptions of materials and the scope of work involved. This can be an exciting part of the process. You'll be working with your designer to choose the finishes, fixtures, and materials to be included in your new addition.

Building An Addition: Solidifying Your Plan

front porch home addition madison wi — a seamless design will help to ensure that your home looks like it was meant-to-be. no afterthoughts here!

It's often the case that when adding an addition, homeowners go all out, choosing beautiful flooring, furniture, lighting and paint, only to learn that the interior doesn't fit in with your existing décor. It can make your addition feel like you're walking into a completely different house!

This is where working with a design-build-remodeling firm can really pay off. The key to creating a seamless flow between your existing home and your new addition comes down to the design. Your designer can help you to make the appropriate design choices that can seamlessly integrate your addition into the flow and feel of your home. They can even offer suggestions for inexpensive minor updates to your existing home design or decor that can tie it all together, like repainting the living room or matching your existing hardwood flooring.

Degnan 9-step process infographic 54311.jpeg.jpg — Does your remodeler have a written procedure for the design-build process? Learn more about ours by clicking this photo.

The Next Steps in the Building Process

Once the scope of your home addition is determined, you'll need to secure funding. The typical project is paid for using the equity in the home through an equity loan or line of credit. Your contractor will provide you with a complete proposal including all costs and a payment schedule you can bring to your banker. This will include milestone payments to the contractor to help you plan your finances.

Milestone payments are based on the completion of key elements of your project. For example, you'll give your contractor a deposit, then make a payment when the foundation and framing are complete and inspected, another when the addition is buttoned up, and another when wiring and plumbing are finished, and so on.

Construction Begins

Once financing is in place, and you've agreed upon a payment plan, the work will begin. Your design-build remodeler will pull the necessary permits, remove any landscaping, prepare and grade the site. Your addition will get a full foundation, depending on the design, it can be a simple slab, a dugout crawlspace or a full basement. Next comes framing, wall panels, and roofing to protect the interior work which begins next.

After the interior is safe, the infrastructure is installed. This includes electrical, plumbing and HVAC. This process represents your most significant expense and may take time. While the tradesmen work quickly and efficiently, each of these elements requires approval by your local building inspectors, and this can be what slows down your progress.

Once the infrastructure is approved, your job should begin to move quickly. Windows and exterior doors will be installed followed by insulation and drywall. Once these steps are completed, the finish work begins. This includes flooring and pain, trim work, moldings and interior doors. Once all of the finish work is completed, you'll have one more visit from the inspector who will issue the occupancy permit, and it's finally time to move in and enjoy your new space!

Adding an addition to your home can be a real game changer for the way you live. You'll gain the space you need, increase the value of your home, and improve your lifestyle and enjoyment. Educating yourself on the process, and finding and working with a qualified design-build-remodeling specialist can make the process run smoothly and give you the results you're looking for. We are here to answer any questions you may have about building an addition. Just call us at (608) 846-5963.

If you're considering an addition, schedule an appointment with the professionals at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. We're always happy to sit down with you and show you all of the exciting options and benefits of adding an addition to your home.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 1/3/2019.