Thinking of a home addition? Where do you start?

Maybe your family is growing, and you need more room. Or perhaps you’re finally ready to add that family room, home theatre or in-law suite. Whatever your reason for wanting to add an addition to your home, it can feel like a daunting task. So where do you start?

Here are a few first steps you will want to take when you are thinking of adding a home addition.

1. Talk to a contractor
   Home additions are not like other kinds of renovations, so you will want to speak with a contractor who specializes in this type of work. There may be certain bylaws that you will have to comply with and you will need an engineer to make sure any addition that is planned is going to be structurally safe for the rest of your home. The ideal contractor will be someone who knows all the necessary permits you will need and who is able to get them for you.
   Your contractor should also be able to give you advice concerning the type of addition you wish to build as well as give you an idea of how long the project will take and how much it is likely to cost.
2. Out or up?
   There are two main types of home addition. The first type extends your home outward and increases the footprint of your home while the other involves adding an upper level. Building outward is usually easier and less costly but not everyone has enough space on their lot to do so.
3. Budgeting for your home addition
   Now that you have spoken with a contractor and have a good idea as to the type of addition you want, you should also have a good idea of what the project will cost. In addition to budgeting for the addition itself, you may also want to budget for some additional costs. For example, since the constructing of an addition can be somewhat disruptive, you may want to spend some time staying at a hotel, or perhaps you will want to eat out more often if the addition disrupts your kitchen space.
   
   Building an addition to your home can be a great way to add value and increase the enjoyment that you get out of your space. By taking these early steps, you can help ensure that the process will go as smoothly as possible.

At Superior Construction, home additions are one of our specialities and if you would like to speak to a member of our team, we would be happy to talk to you.