Designing a home addition

Thinking of designing an addition to your home? Start by asking yourself the following questions.

Do you love your neighborhood but feel you have outgrown your home? If you’d prefer not to move, consider a home addition. It’s a great way to get the home you need in the location where you want to be. But building an addition requires careful planning. Here are some key questions to consider:

Should you hire an architect?
Once you’ve come up with an initial design concept, it’s wise to have a professional architect draw up the plans. An architect can make sure your ideas are realistic and all of the necessary details are taken care of.

Have you checked your local building code?
You need to be knowledgeable about your local building code. Many communities have restrictions regarding what you are allowed to build. Older, historic neighborhoods are especially likely to have strict building codes. Finding out about these restrictions before you begin can help prevent costly delays and design changes.

Which is the best type of financing?
The costs can add up quickly when building a home addition. Make sure you establish a budget you can afford and stick to it. Consider using a home equity line of credit for your financing needs. You’ll get one of the lowest possible rates of interest and the ability to draw funds gradually according to your need.

Where should you add on?
Most home additions add onto the back of a house. But what if your lot is small? You may want to consider building up, instead of out. In the case of a wide lot, you might be better off adding onto the side of your home. Just make sure you don’t exceed the legal requirements regarding how close you are allowed to build to your neighbor. Have a professional surveyor stake your property line.

What type of addition will add the most value?
When designing an addition, you have many options. You can add a bathroom, expand a kitchen or add a sunroom. You can even add an entire new second story onto your home. But some additions are more likely to increase the resale value of your home than others. Before you build, consider asking a local REALTOR® what renovations tend to be the most popular with buyers in your neighborhood.

Do you want to make additional upgrades?
There’s no better time to upgrade the exterior of your home with new paint or siding than when you’re building an addition. You get the added benefit of being able to visually blend the old and new sections together. You may also want to consider upgrading old appliances to match a new kitchen. And in the case of a large addition, you may want to install new heating and air conditioning units in order for them to be better able to cover the extra square footage. Be sure to factor in the cost of these items when creating your budget.