“You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledgehammer on the construction site.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright (Designer and Architect)
A home addition or moving out? A few months ago, I was stuck between these two choices. Buying a house and moving to a whole new place is quite challenging and requires a large budget.
On the other hand, a room addition is like an easy solution and this is exactly why 76% of Americans choose to renovate their current house rather than putting a down payment on a new one (The Zebra: Renovate or move?)
So, I also decided to go with the second option and add more space to my house. But a great deal of planning and preparation was required for this and in this article, I will share all those preliminary steps I took to achieve the desired outcome.
Assessing Your Needs and Setting a Budget
I started this room addition process by assessing my needs and vision. I asked myself various questions like “What exactly do I want to add to my house, is it a cozy family room, or an office?”, “Would it fit my budget?” Such questions helped me identify my purpose and gain more clarity on what I exactly needed.
Once, I had the perfect image of what I wanted, the next step was to set a realistic budget for that. I did not want any financial surprises down the line, which is why I evaluated all the key factors that contribute to overall expenses like labor costs, materials, permit fees, etc.
Clearing the Space for Construction
After I knew what I wanted and how everything needed to be done, the next step was site preparation, which included clearing out the space for construction, demolition, and grading.
I trusted Phoenix dumpster rental services for it, their teams not only managed the clearing out process efficiently, but their personalized services and affordable rates were another plus points in the procedure.
They removed existing spaces, debris, and landscaping at the site of the addition. This step ended with leveling the ground for the construction.
FUN FACT Increasing the square footage or adding another room to your property can significantly improve its value. This can prove to be a smart move if you plan to sell your house in the long run.
Obtaining Necessary Permits and Approvals
You might be aware of the fact that such projects require certain Permits and approvals. I did not want any legal troubles, so I researched all the zoning laws, regulations, and requirements and applied for the same.
The major one was the building permit, for which I had to submit the drawings and mock-up for the proposed room addition. I contacted a licensed professional for this step and would advise you to do the same to avoid any complications and ensure that the safety standards are met.
Designing the New Space
I wanted more modern and sustainable renovations and constructions at my house, but at the same time meet my vision and comply with the building codes.
The professional designers and architects in my team did an excellent job of bringing my instructions to life. We also included modern innovations in my house like energy-efficient windows to ensure energy efficiency and comfort.
In the end, I got well-designed and well-constructed results that blended perfectly with my existing home.
Hiring Reliable Contractors
Hiring contractors who maintain effective communication, updates, and transparency throughout the process is essential for the successful completion of the process.
To bring responsible and reliable people on board, I started with gathering recommendations and shortlisting potential contractors.
Then I conducted interviews to verify their past works and ensure that their expertise matched my vision. After contacting dozens of service providers, I was able to form the ideal team for this project.
DO YOU KNOW? The home improvement market is expected to grow from $884.47 billion in 2023 to $1399.117 billion in 2032.
Planning for Disruptions During Construction
A home addition can bring various disruptions. I could not pause my work and regular life for this work, but I could at least be prepared for all the things that were coming. So, I made realistic plans to tackle the potential disturbances that my family and I faced during the renovation and construction.
To minimize its impact on my daily operations, I created a definite timeline, and budget, and discussed it clearly with my family and the workers about it.
Final Inspections and Touch-Ups
As the project neared completion, I conducted a thorough inspection to ensure the quality of workmanship, and functionality of new systems, and identify issues that needed to be resolved before putting the place into use.
Once I was satisfied with my inspection, I focused on finishing touch-ups and added different elements to enhance the look and feel of the new addition, making it truly my own.
In conclusion, preparing in advance for a room addition project is extremely important for successful completion. Start by assessing your goals and needs, after being confident about it, you can move on to the next steps in this order, clearing your space, obtaining necessary permits, designing your space, hiring responsible contractors, planning for potential disruptions, and finally inspecting your space thoroughly and adding final touches to it. That’s it, and you’ll have the ideal space addition.
