7 Things to Consider When Deciding on a New Home Addition

Americans spent over $530 billion at home improvement stores in 2021 alone. Embarking on the journey of adding a new space to your home is a significant decision and can be quite costly. This includes a multitude of considerations to ensure the process goes smoothly and the results are everything you envision. 

Are you ready to upgrade your home?

But aren’t sure where to start?

Whether you’re expanding your living area, creating a new workspace, or accommodating a growing family, the choices you make at the outset will determine the success of the project. Planning a new home addition can be exciting and a lot of fun.  However, you need to take the time to carefully plan any new addition to your house.

Keep reading to find out more about some important factors that will help you with the process.

1. Purpose and Functionality

Clearly define the purpose of the addition. This helps ensure the addition serves your needs effectively.

Assess your needs by identifying what your house currently lacks in this regard. Do you require extra living space, an additional bedroom, or something else? Make a list of these needs to have a clear starting point.

Prioritize your needs in order of importance. Consider what will have the most impact on your life and overall comfort. This will help you focus on the important elements.

Anticipate any potential changes in your lifestyle or family situation. If you are, for example, planning to expand your family account for this factor in your decision. 

Determine how you want the new space to function. Will it be a multipurpose area, or do you need specific functionalities? For instance, if it’s a home office, consider the equipment and storage you’ll require.

Think about how the new addition will connect with the existing layout and style of your house. You don’t want it to be obvious that the addition was built afterward. The addition should seamlessly meld in with the rest of your home.

Create rough sketches or utilize design software to visualize how the addition’s purpose and functionality will translate into the actual space. This can help you refine your ideas.

2. Your Budget

Establish a realistic budget for the project. This will keep your project on track and prevents financial stress. 

Remember to budget for more than just the construction costs, as there might be added expenses such as permits, design fees, etc. You don’t want to end up needing to stall your project because it ended up costing more than expected. Rather have a cushion that you can use for other purposes if it isn’t needed in the end.

A budget ensures and helps with:

• Setting realistic financial boundaries for your project
• Cost control
• Prioritization
• Planning the scope and scale of the addition
• Your chances of securing suitable funding, if needed
• Contractor selection
• Choosing materials and design
• Avoiding debt and overspending
• Project completion

3. Design and Aesthetics

Any new additions to your home should complement the existing building and not distract from it. This does not mean that it should be an exact copy of the existing house, as different materials can blend well together.  However, this is an important aspect to consider during the planning phase.

Consider the following:

• The harmonious integration of both buildings
• Curb Appeal
• Neighborhood architectural styles
• Functionality and flow between the buildings
• Your style and preferences
• How to effectively include natural light and views
• The added value of the addition
• Efficient use of space
• Energy efficiency

4. Permits and Regulations

Check local zoning laws, building codes, and permits required for your planned addition. Compliance with regulations is essential to avoid legal issues down the line.

Your and your contractor must be informed about:

• Legal compliance with local authority regulations
• Structural safety regulations
• All trade required permits
• Zoning requirements
• HOA permission, if applicable
• Building plan reviews

5. Contractor Selection

Choose a reputable and experienced contractor or construction firm. Research their track record, request references, and assess their ability to execute your vision.

Keep the following in mind when choosing a contractor:

• Quality of their workmanship
• Experience and references
• Project management abilities
• Completion time record
• Budget adherence
• Permit and code compliance
• Safety measures protocol
• Problem-solving skills
• Legal Protection toward liabilities 

You should also make sure they have experience with similar projects. For example, a roofing contractor should be knowledgeable about installing a roof, but they also need to be able to consult on what type of roof works with the rest of your home.

6. The Timeline

Determine a realistic timeline for the project. Consider potential disruptions to your daily life and plan accordingly, especially if you’re living in the house during construction.

Speak to your contractor to see how long it took them to complete similar projects. Once you have a rough timeline, add a bit more time to account for any issues that might pop up. Rather be surprised that the project is done sooner than expected instead of facing delays.

7. Resale Value

While meeting your current needs is important, also think about the potential impact on your home’s resale value. A well-designed and executed addition can enhance the overall worth of your property.

Careful consideration of the resale value of a house is important when considering any home improvement. Keep the following in mind:

• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Future marketability
• Wider buyer appeal
• Future home appraisal
• Avoid over-improvements

Know What to Expect With a Home Addition

When it comes to a home addition, you need to consider the steps you need to take for a successful project. Renovating a home can be extremely stressful, even if everything goes to plan, so make sure you take the time to properly consider how this project will affect your life. 

If you’re planning a new home addition in the near future, contact us to schedule a consult as soon as possible. We understand the needs of Houston-area homeowners and will help you design a build that is perfect for your needs.