Home addition planning can come in many forms. Maybe it’s time to build the recreational area you’ve been dreaming of. Maybe a new family member is moving in. Or perhaps your family has simply outgrown your home, and you want to improve your living conditions. Whatever your reasons, a home addition can add more space and value to your property. But remodelling your home is no small feat. And while you may be excited at the possibility of adding more of your personal touch into your home, you must do the research to properly plan the execution.
Home renovations made simple
To get you started, here are some of the most important considerations when planning a home addition.
1. Plan your key objectives
Before you begin planning your remodelling project, make sure that you know exactly what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. While home additions have their share of perks and benefits, they are not always necessary. For example, if you are looking to create a bit more space where it doesn’t currently exist, it could be as simple as adjusting the decor or updating larger furniture pieces to create more space. Identify your goals first, and when you’re confident that a remodelling project is the best solution, start looking for design inspirations that would bring your vision to life.
2. Set a budget with financial leverage
Unless you have unlimited resources, you must first develop a budget before you can begin planning your home addition. The budget directs the design and not the other way around. In addition to a budget, you will need to determine how much financial leverage you have. You will also have to think about how you will finance your remodelling project and if the choice you land on is a sound investment for your future and your bank account. To effectively manage your budget, you have to be conscious of your priorities. Determine the needs from the wants, and rank them according to their level of importance. Check out the RBC financing options for a home renovation loan and home additions.
3. Design your new space with function in mind
Once you have your finances in order, it’s time to dive into your home improvement project’s architectural and aesthetic details. It goes without saying that the new addition has to complement the original structure. And while your design dreams should be big and bold, you will need to ensure they are functional as well. If you have some background in home design or experience using home designing software, you might be able to draw up the layout on your own. Otherwise, it’s probably best to enlist the help of an architect.
4. Property lines and available space
One crucial factor that you have to take account of while brainstorming your design is the available amount of space you can work on. For example, there are instances when extending upwards instead of sideways makes more sense. If you’re thinking of building out, think about how the new addition will affect the surrounding areas and what obstacles have to be removed or relocated. You may have to work around trees, power lines, utility poles, and neighbouring property lines, among others. In any case, make sure that you still have a comfortable size of outside living space left.
5. Inconveniences to neighbours
Building a home addition can cause significant disruption not only to your lifestyle but to those living near you as well. The dirt, dust, and noise might cause discomfort to your neighbours. So, how do you deal? Ask for their permission, inform them of your plans in advance, and think of a way to keep the disturbance low. Before you start production on your project, discuss the details with your team and prepare a realistic timeline of the different phases of the remodelling. See that it fits with your schedule and does not overlap holidays and special occasions. Do not forget to add an extra few weeks to accommodate delays.
6. Hire the right construction team
Hiring the team that will help you make your new home addition a reality requires some research. There are plenty of ways to go about this. You can hire an architect, a designer, and then a contractor, or you can go with a design-build firm for a complete package of services. Ask for recommendations, read reviews and shop around to ensure you are hurting the right people to do the job properly. Keep in mind that your team’s size and type heavily depend on the project’s scale and complexity.
Trust the professionals to build your home addition
Though it might be tempting just to do it yourself, this is not the right time for a DIY project. Home additions are complex and, therefore, demand a high level of expertise. Without the proper skills, you may end up diminishing the value of your home. For your safety and peace of mind, let the professionals handle the job.
Smart Reno can help you find the right contractor for your Interior renovation project.
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