Has anyone ever complained about having too much space in a home? We don't think so.
Typically, it’s the opposite problem that give homeowners headaches. Adding on to your home is a great way to increase storage space, allow for more room for guests, or just finally have that man cave or sunroom you’ve always been dreaming of.
Here are some steps to take to make planning a new home addition as simple and smooth as possible.
FIGURE OUT YOUR BUDGET AND FUNDING
To not get ahead of yourself, start by figuring out some logistics of a project as big as a home addition. Be realistic when determining your budget. It’s a good idea to give yourself some wiggle room so you don’t run into a shock down the line when construction is already underway. Once you have a budget, secure any loans or funding you need.
ASSESS THE AREA
Before breaking any ground, assess the area where the addition will be built. Locate any property lines and if you’re in Indiana, call 811 before you dig. This is also the time to figure out if you have any sloping or rough terrain that will impact the feasibility of the project. Get any permits you need for this project and check out your local zoning laws, too.
EVALUATE YOUR UTILITIES
Find out how your HVAC system will be impacted by your home addition. While you made a budget for the project itself, remember to also get estimates on what your new heating, water, and electricity bills will be with the added space so you can factor that into your monthly household budget.
PLAN OUT YOUR HOME ADDITION
Now comes the fun part – finding inspiration for your home addition and creating a design. A contractor may be able to assist with some of the design, but it’s often best to work with an architect to fully make your vision come to life.
FIND A CONTRACTOR
Once you have a plan, figure out if you’re going to hire a contractor or, if you’re a contactor, tackle the project yourself. General contractors have the necessary expertise for managing home additions, so they’re an important part of the process to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
To find a contractor, read online reviews, ask family and friends in the area for recommendations, ask to see contractor’s portfolios, and gather multiple quotes to ensure you’re going to pay a fair price.
GATHER MATERIALS
Once you’ve gotten through these steps, it’s time for the exciting part – actually getting started on building your dream home.
If you’ll be building your home addition yourself, determine what building materials and power tools you’ll need. Then, head to Miller’s Building Supply at 1819 East Monroe St in Goshen to get what you need. Or, call us at 574-534-3973 to learn more about our selection and custom order process.