When planning to add on to your home, you may be wondering where to start. Of course, a construction manager or a building contractor can offer advice, but you will probably want to address at least four essential aspects of your home's addition.
Foundation
The new addition to your home will require a foundation. You will need to decide whether to build a basement or cellar-type structure for extra space or possibly for storage. Alternatively, you can have a foundational structure without extra usable space. The plan you choose will determine which materials to use as well as the structural components of the new addition to your home. If you include a basement or storage, you will also need to consider additional HVAC, electric, or plumbing features depending on how that area will be used.
Walls
Framing the walls of your home's addition is another key task. Your building blueprint will illustrate the number of rooms, their size, and how the space is configured. This part of construction is exciting as you see the new rooms take shape to define how your newly constructed additional home area will be used. Consult the general contractor or renovation supervisor about the best materials for the wall frames. When framing the walls, you should decide if your current HVAC system will be adequate or if you will need a second system for the new rooms.
Plumbing
Early in the planning and building process, you should consider whether plumbing will be included in the new structure. You might want a half-bath with a sink and toilet for basic hygiene if the area is used as a recreation area or another bedroom. For workspaces that will encompass manual labor like rebuilding a car engine, a sink would be helpful for handwashing. If storage is the goal, then plumbing might not be needed especially if there is a half-bath close to the new addition.
Roof
To literally top off the addition, consider the type of roof you want to enclose the added space. For smaller areas, you may decide on a flat roof or one that is lightly sloped. For added living space, an extension that leads from and matches your current home roof is ideal. Your purpose for the new add-on along with material and labor costs can help you make this decision.
There is plenty to think about when planning your home addition. Keep these four aspects front and center for a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable new space.
