A home addition can be a great way to adapt and update your home, increase its property value, and create exciting new spaces you and your family can enjoy for years or even generations to come. The project, however, can also be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you have never tackled such an intense undertaking before. This guide to planning a home addition can help you maneuver through the process to create a larger, more versatile, amazing home you will love.
Before jumping into a home addition project, consider very carefully whether you need an addition at all. These projects are massive investments of time, labor, and money, and can be dramatic disruptions to your daily life for weeks or months. It is important to be certain you need such an addition long before you begin.
First, consider how your family’s needs are changing. Is it possible to adapt your existing space to meet these changes? For example, converting a guest room into a home office may be easier and less expensive. Similarly, consider whether existing space can be refit for multi-purpose uses, such as adding a hobby nook to a larger family room rather than planning a whole new craft room. At the same time, look ahead to how new space may be used in the years to come to be sure it will continue to be useful and valuable. Finally, consider whether you may be selling your home in the next few years, and how an addition could impact its value with respect to gaining back the investment or improving sales possibilities.
There are many home additions that can be made to any size, style, or structure of home. Depending on your home’s features and what you want for an addition, popular options include:
Understanding the purpose of your home addition is critical to ensure you are happy with the results you build. Regardless of the type of addition, the planning process is similar to ensure the project goes as smoothly as possible.
When you are ready to plan a home addition project, following these key steps can help the process stay on target for your home improvement goals.
Thorough planning is absolutely necessary for any home addition, no matter how large or small the project may be. If you have properly planned, there will be fewer unpleasant surprises as the work progresses, and the entire process will be smoother and more efficient. This can save money, time, and stress, and help you be more prepared to enjoy your new addition in all the best ways possible.