Home Additions

Looking for a new place to relax or adding to your family? Deciding to extend your home by adding a new rooms or a garage will certainly help. There are plenty of styles and color options to choose from. As well as numerous materials and designs to choose to make your addition a natural extension of your home. Here are some things to consider when planning your addition.

Fit in with the neighborhood?
It is important to please yourself; you need to consider resale value even if you plan to never move again. A well-planned home addition may not turn a profit, but if it brings your home up to neighborhood standards it is beneficial when refinancing a mortgage or applying for a home equity loan later.

Before you plan a home addition that’s unique to your neighborhood, consult a general contractor. Their insights will help ensure your plans are in keeping with the character of your neighborhood, and can help guide your construction budget.

Fit with the rest of the house?
Making the home addition match the existing structure can be difficult. Siding, stonework or window styles may be difficult to match, and rooflines may need to be altered to accommodate the new space. You can make a statement by introducing new, complementary material. Contrasting stone or siding are two possibilities that can help the addition look as though it’s always been there. Pay attention to neighborhood norms regarding square footage as well as interior and exterior finishes. This knowledge will help you get the most value for your home addition without overbuilding.

Do you need Upgrades?
While you’re in renovation mode, think about whether other aspects of your house need upgrading. For example, if you’re adding a new electrical panel for your addition, it probably makes sense to upgrade circuit breakers to meet the newest building codes. Or, if you’re bumping out the kitchen, this could be a good time to add a prep sink in the old portion of the kitchen. Also consider whether your old air handling system can manage the increased load the addition may cause.