Design an addition to my house

A General Contractor Reveals Secrets to Addition Building

I created these room addition plans to transform my general contractor experience into information people can use to make these complex renovations a lot simpler to research and eventually build. My mission is to simplify the process of building on to your house. There are a lot of scattered articles all across the internet, but many of them are written by webmasters and bloggers instead of actual contractors. I decided to give people access to the correct method of addition building as well as provide them with access to my archive of home addition ideas, that I used to actually renovate people's houses in Connecticut. The room additions above are the most popular projects being built in America today. 

You could look elsewhere, but why would you get your remodeling advice from a writer or blogger? Get your remodeling advice from a real general contractor and your wallet will thank you later!

Finding an Addition Builder is Easy

Many of you know that a general contractor's main job is to find, hire, and manager subcontractors. Basically I'm an expert when it comes to finding the right people to help me renovate houses. You don't have to pay me a dime, to get a list of contractors I personally would call for an estimate appointment. Simply fill out the form below, and you'll get an email with a list of contractors that I would give to my own family to call. It's that simple. No Account Creation, No Fee, No Hassle. Take that Angies List!

How To Get More Out of Simply Additions

• Download my exclusive home addition guide to make your project simpler to manage. I love to make things simpler for people, that's why I call myself ProvenHelper. Look for my channel on YouTube and Follow Me on Twitter @ProvenHelper
• Visit the How-to Articles section and read the contractor hiring guides. I won awards from many prestigious sources for these highly useful tips that can protect you from shady contractors and their contracts. Learn what most consumers have no ideas about, by listening to what this general contractor reveals. 

Questions About Building A Home Addition

Contact me through Twitter or Google plus if you have any questions. I'm remodeling the website to make it easier to use and even more useful than it is today. The site already won many awards for consumer education from the Better Business bureau but I will make it even better, by listening to your suggestions through social media or email.

Have a Project Related Question?

Chances are I already answered it. Simply go to the Q&A forum below and browse there first. You could also use the search engine at the top of the screen. 

Homeowner Q&A Forum

LASTLY, don't forget to look for me on social media (buttons at top of page), I go by Lex. I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Planning a home addition – expert advice on increasing square footage |

(Image credit: Kevin Lichten)

Planning a home addition can be a fulfilling project. The addition can add the extra space needed in a home because of a growing family, or in response to a change in lifestyle, while avoiding the upheaval of moving home.

But home addition ideas make for a substantial investment, so it’s important to plan meticulously and be in the know about how long it might take and which professionals to work with. 

Here we examine the steps of a successful project and the options available with guidance from the experts.

Planning a home addition

(Image credit: Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel)

Careful consideration of all aspects of a home renovation or construction project before beginning can save money and time, and ensure it fulfils expectations – and planning a home addition, whether a solid build, a sunroom or conservatory, is no exception. These are the factors to explore. 

Where do I start when adding an addition to my home?

Begin the process of planning a home addition by asking yourself some questions, recommends Bailey Carson, home care expert at Angi :

• What problem am I looking to solve?
• How should the room look and feel?
• What’s my budget?
• What’s my timeline and project scope?
• Who am I willing to work with to complete the project?
• What permits do I need?
• Where will I stay while the work is going on?

What types of home additions are possible?

A variety of options may be available when planning a home addition, including side or back extensions, cantilever additions, a new level, a basement, and a sunroom or veranda.

Which is preferable will depend on where you need the extra space in the home, as well as how much more square footage is needed. What you can achieve will also be dependent on what’s allowed where you live. 

If just a little extra space is required, you might think of adding a sunroom or veranda, both of which are lower cost options.

To extend existing rooms or add new ones, consider a side or back extension, which could be sizeable. ‘This is an attached addition to your home that expands the front, back or either side of your home,’ says Bailey Carson.

A cantilever addition, meanwhile, is a self-supporting structure with a floating appearance. ‘This is a popular choice for adding modern bedrooms to the home,’ Bailey explains.

If a major expansion of your home’s square footage is needed, a new level could be added to create a second or third story. ‘This is a great project to take on if you need a lot of new space to accommodate more family members,’ suggests Bailey. ‘This is also a good option if your lot size doesn’t allow enough space to build out your home.’ Bear in mind that a large budget will be needed for an addition of this type.

Other options might include adding a basement or finishing one, or finishing an attic.  ‘Adding a basement where there isn’t one already is an expensive project, and you’ll have to check on local permits to make sure it’s allowed in your area,’ says Bailey. ‘If you already have an unfinished basement or attic, you might consider transforming it into a more structured living space.’

Gather costings for a home addition

Once you’ve considered fully why the addition is needed, but also the home addition costs and budget available for the project, and have also thought about the details of realizing it, it’s time to speak to professionals. 

You may want to begin by consulting with architects, or directly with contractors. ‘Architects can help you envision your new addition, create floor plans and make sure your addition is feasible and safe. However, contractors are often sufficient for minor or simpler additions,’ explains Bailey Carson. 

Be mindful that for contractors to bid accurately, full construction documents are required, so speaking to them first can help you discover whether your budget is likely to be sufficient for the type of addition you envisage.

‘I recommend starting out by contacting some full-service builders-remodelers for a consultation,’ says Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel . ‘If you know the size and location of the addition, a phone or virtual consultation may be enough for a single story. For sloping lots, second stories or more complex projects, I recommend meeting at your home. There should be no charge for the initial consultation. 

‘If you interview reputable companies by researching years in business, reviews, recommendations from family or friends etc, you should get education, ideas and at least a ballpark range of cost.

What else should I ask the professionals?

It’s not just overall costs that are important when planning a home addition, and you should take the opportunity to ask the pros all the questions that need answering. Bailey Carson suggests these might include:

• What does your estimate include?
• Can you walk me through the whole process?
• How long do you anticipate the project will take?
• What potential delays should I be aware of?
• What do you do if there’s an unexpected delay, issue or cost along the way?
• Who would you hire to do the work? Have you worked with them before?

What other factors do I need to consider? 

When you’re planning a home addition, don’t forget that the type you opt for will determine how much disruption it causes. 

‘Don't live in the space while the work is being done if you can afford to move out,’ advises Susan Taylor of Davis Taylor Design . ‘It's a very stressful process made 10 times worse by living in it. Especially if it’s your kitchen.’  If you can’t stay with family or friends during the construction process, the budget will need to include rental costs while you’re out of the house.

Be aware that in the current circumstances, timelines have increased. ‘Lead times are longer, the permitting process takes longer, and inspections are lagging because of the “renovate rush”,’ says Susan.

Materials prices continue to increase, too. ‘A bid you got a month ago may no longer be valid,’ says Susan. ‘Most people I’m working with are putting a “valid for 10 days” parameter on their bids and estimates. Ask for an updated bid so you are not surprised with overages.’

Do I need an architect for a home addition?

First of all you should know that local building authorities may require you to have an architect. Check with the local building department to be sure of what’s necessary in your community for the type of addition you’re planning.

As to whether it’s a good idea in terms of getting an architect’s professional input, be aware of the options. ‘If you are using a builder that specializes in additions then odds are that they have an architect on staff or a relationship with an architect they work with regularly,’ says residential real estate investor Bill Samuel of Blue Ladder Development .

‘Hiring an architect or design-build firm with architecture is recommended,’ says Gregg Cantor. ‘However, an experienced designer or draftsperson can prepare construction plans with the assistance of a structural or civil engineer,’ he notes.

Is adding an addition worth it?

As a rule, adding an addition is worth it. ‘Generally, adding to your home is likely to increase your home’s value,’ says Bailey Carson. ‘But it’s important to think about what kind of addition is best for your home’s layout – and how much space will improve your home and property,’ she advises. 

‘Certain additions, like garages, bedrooms and extended kitchens, tend to be the most profitable, sometimes even getting you up to 100 per cent ROI (return on investment). These rooms increase your quality of life in your home and add value to your home if you choose to sell it – they’re a win-win!’

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

An extension to the house - 97 photos how to design and build with your own hands One of them is the ability to easily increase the occupied meters. Additional extensions to the house are diverse in terms of purpose, the photo shows typical options - a living room, an unheated utility room, a kitchen, a veranda, etc.

Type of premises

it is necessary to ensure that all the nuances are observed so as not to redo it later. nine0005

The living room must be well insulated, have a natural light source and maintain a normal microclimate.

Sewer pipes and other utilities should be brought to the future kitchen or bathroom in advance.

The addition of a veranda or terrace does not require insulation, the foundation is poured and waterproofed according to the general rules. It is necessary to think over the optimal shape and proportions of the building

What is better to build from

Any building material for an additional room is chosen - brick, blocks, wood. Consider in advance the option of exterior decoration, how harmonious it will look with the main building.

If there are already similar outbuildings on the site, it is advisable to follow a single style in the design.

What you need to know about the foundation

Mark and prepare the construction site - remove the top fertile layer, level the site. And start the main work. nine0005

The foundation is an important stage of construction, it is not worth saving on it. Since it will be adjacent to the main one, previously erected, they should not be fastened during the year - it is better to make the connection after shrinkage. A good option if they match each other in type and depth.

Any type of foundation - strip or column must be waterproofed with a suitable material: bituminous mastic, liquid rubber, roofing material, etc.

If the extension project provides for the construction of a heated room, then you need to be ready for serious work - a mini house differs only in size from a full-fledged housing, all technological features of construction must be observed.

Floor and walls

If a strip foundation is poured, it is convenient to make a wooden floor or concrete screed. It is permissible to erect both brick and frame walls.

It is not rational to make a concrete floor for a columnar foundation. Without additional jumpers, it is intended only for frame buildings. nine0005

Brick walls would be appropriate if a large house is made of the same material. The thickness of the masonry extension to the house varies depending on the purpose - half a brick is enough for a veranda, more for a living room.

Framed walls are quite popular. They are suitable for residential and non-residential premises. When heating in winter, there is no large loss of heat if the material is correctly selected.

Often make block extensions. The advantages of such construction are financial affordability, ease of installation, good quality. nine0005

When making an extension with your own hands, you need to qualitatively connect the new walls with the house - leave a technological gap of no more than 10 cm, and finally close the gap in a year. Distortions in this case will be excluded.

If the joint is initially made blind, it may open when the foundation shrinks. It is not difficult to correct the situation if a reinforcing layer is made on top of the adjoining walls.

Roof

It is good if it is possible to use a roofing material similar to the main building. But even if they do not match, you can successfully choose options that complement each other in style and aesthetics. nine0005

Roofs are single and gable, attic and ceiling, sloping and steep, flat and multi-gable. The final decision depends on personal tastes and architectural appropriateness.

Legal nuances

Before you start the reconstruction or make an extension, you need to know how to document the legality of the work being done.

It is advisable to collect a list of documents in advance and apply to the local administration. It will not take much time, and in the future potential troubles will not arise. nine0005

Photo of Appendices to the house

100 photo ideas for building and decorating with your own hands

Many people dream of having their own dacha, but those who already have it try to improve it, make it comfortable, convenient and practical. It is not so often that the construction and arrangement of a dacha economy starts from scratch, so to speak - in an open field. As a rule, we acquire a plot with buildings already built and equipped to some extent.

However, it would seem that the obvious advantage - there is no need to waste time and money, has its "minuses", namely, the new owner has to redo everything based on his needs and his ideas of comfort and practicality. For example, the usual situation is when the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe cottage is insufficient.

Of course, you can demolish everything and rebuild, but this is fraught with such difficulties and costs of effort, time, material resources that this option is not suitable in any way, in this case, there is only one thing left - to make an extension and increase the total area due to it . nine0005

Looking at the pages of sites ready-made options, or rather a photo of an extension to a house in a summer cottage, you can see: with the right approach to solving this problem, the result is quite acceptable, and given the lower costs in comparison with the option of new construction, it becomes the only correct one.

So, let's figure out how to make an extension with your own hands, what is needed for this, what "pitfalls" can await us along the way and reveal some non-obvious aspects. nine0005

Brief content of the article:

Thinking and planning

As in any other business: before you start sawing, laying bricks and in general - creating a fuss of construction work, you need to think carefully, plan everything. Otherwise, the result of the work, all the invested funds, the time spent may not meet your expectations, or nothing will come of it at all, but a sad experience, you see, is not what we expect and what we need.

nine0005

At first glance, it may seem that what you have planned will require special skills or knowledge from you, however, there is nothing complicated and impossible, it all depends on your desire to work and study a little. As a rule, specialists are contacted when carrying out work on the supply of communications or during calculations during planning.

Let's decide what we need, what is required, and for this we need to know what species exist and what are their distinguishing features. So, as an additional room can be: nine0005

Ordinary canopy

This is the simplest option, it does not require a foundation: special support pillars act as a base for the main element - and this will be the roof of the extension. In this case, the walls are not erected at all, or some kind of screens act as them, for example, you can make a living curtain from specially planted climbing plants, which are guided along pre-strengthened threads.

In principle, the canopy still cannot be called an extension in the full sense of the word, it is rather an additional structural element of the main building. nine0005

Summer room

It can be a veranda or a terrace. The summer room does not require the use of insulation, the roof is made of lightweight material, and since the structure itself is lightweight, the foundation is made simple and cheap.

The disadvantage is also obvious - in this room you can relax or work only in the warm season, in winter the room is not used. The main "advantages" include the simplicity of design, low material costs, and the speed of construction. nine0005

Full-fledged housing for year-round use

In this case, we are dealing with full-fledged capital construction. The convenience and comfort of the room will depend on how carefully everything will be designed, on the right choice of materials, on the quality of installation and finishing work.

It will require the construction of a full-fledged foundation, roof, main walls. Some infrastructure is needed: heating, electricity, ventilation, etc. nine0005

Kitchen

When choosing this type, remember that the kitchen will require you to sum up the entire list of communications, that is, during its construction, not only the room itself, but the entire infrastructure is carefully designed.

In general, the kitchen will require additional financial investments from you, and for this reason it is rarely used as an additional room, with the exception of a simple, summer option.

A popular view among summer residents - garage

The building itself will require you to build a full-fledged foundation, solid walls made of stone or reinforced concrete structures, and a roof. Inside, it is required to provide an inspection pit and think over a waterproofing system, otherwise the pit will be filled with water in the spring and during heavy rains.

Please note that the garage can be heated, in which case it will be necessary to prepare an appropriate plan and install heating.

Sanitary room

Another type of outbuildings - bathrooms, showers or sanitary rooms. This option requires the entire complex of engineering communications: sewerage, water supply, etc., and if it is not an outdoor shower, a heating and ventilation system;

Sauna

This is one of the most difficult options, and due to the specifics and technical features, it is better to build a sauna separately.

So, after the type is chosen, we create the project itself, it is important to provide for all the moments and stages of work in it. Treat the design with due attention, the final result of all your work and costs largely depends on the quality and information content. nine0005

Construction technology

The most popular today are frame extensions, they are simple, require a minimum of material costs, and are quickly erected. The following frame technologies are distinguished:

Frame-panel technology: panels with openings are made separately, and then, on the spot, they are assembled into a single structure. This method is great for extensions to a stone house; as a rule, it is not used for wooden buildings: nine0005

Frame-and-frame technology: suitable when an extension of a terrace or a small room is needed. As a rule, this method is used for summer rooms. The main advantage is the simplicity of design, as well as the fact that the master has a wide choice of methods, materials and options.

Frame technology is optimal when it is necessary to add verandas, summer rooms and other unheated and simple buildings. For a capital, all-weather premises or a garage, this method is rarely used, since in order to give the structure strength, it is necessary to significantly complicate it, and this is not always advisable. nine0005

For capital premises, stone or timber structures are more suitable. They have a margin of safety and other required qualities.

Regardless of which technology you use, the right extension to your home has one important design feature, namely, it will need to be attached to the main building. In view of the importance of this point, let us dwell on it in more detail.

Interfacing with the main building

Proper connection of an additional room will require careful calculations and research. It is necessary to take into account many factors and nuances, and therefore it is better to entrust planning to specialists.

During independent design and installation, special attention is paid to the foundation, its interface with the main one. It is important to correctly attach the walls, roof, take into account the mutual influence and seasonal changes.

The most commonly used method in practice is the use of reinforcement technology, and iron bars act as reinforcement. Widely used various mounting structures.

It is important to properly install the roof, to think over and provide for the flow of water from the higher roof, if the design is incorrect, walls and ceilings may get wet.

Some legal points

If you decide to build an extension on your summer cottage, it is important for you to remember that it is important to arrange any additional building structures in compliance with the relevant laws. In addition, for the implementation of any construction work, first obtain a permit for their implementation. nine0005

To obtain permission and complete all required paperwork, you will be required to provide a properly executed project.

Getting to work

So, the project, which provides for a beautiful design of the extension, is ready, the necessary permits have been obtained, the necessary tools and all building materials are available, you can proceed directly to work.

In this case, the technology will not differ much in consistency or in some features. These are the usual works on erecting walls on a pre-prepared foundation, installing a roof, roofing, installing floors, summing up the necessary engineering communications, installing electrical wiring, finishing work outside and inside. nine0005

As you can see, the extension does not differ much from an ordinary building, in many ways it is, with the exception of erection in contact with the main building. That is why it makes little sense to describe the installation work, and if necessary, you will find the information you are interested in on your own .

Photo of extension to the house