5 Things To Consider Before Starting A Home Addition

/
37_20120916112057_74971_large.jpg

Are you starting to feel a bit cramped in your home? Have you been dreaming of a sunroom or an extra guest bedroom? If you’re still head over heels in love with your home but want to add more space, a home addition is the perfect option for you.

But before you jump in with both feet, take time to run through a personal inventory and ask yourself these five questions.

#1 What is your budget?

Just like any other home renovation project, it’s important to go in with your eyes open. The average home addition in the GTA costs anywhere from $175 to $225 per square foot. Every project will vary in cost based on the specific requirements, but if you want a successful home addition, you need to start with a plan and square footage estimate.

There is a lot that goes into an addition and a lot of professionals are required. Turning to a trusted full-service contractor will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus less on managing your addition.

#2 Is a home addition going to be worth it?

When we renovate our homes, we often look towards the future. Will this renovation increase the value of the home and until it comes time to sell, will it increase your enjoyment of the home? You should be asking these same questions when it comes to a home addition.

So what home addition gives you the most bang for your buck? According to Home Advisor, these are the additions with the best return:

  • Two-story addition - 65% return on investment  

  • Master suite addition - 63% return on investment

  • Bathroom addition - 53% return on investment

  • Sunroom addition - 49% return on investment

#3 Is it smarter to build up or out?

There are pros and cons to building your home addition up and building it out. First thing to consider is if you have the space to build out.

Building out can be more of a struggle for homes found in busier urban areas. You will need to excavate which adds some cost and time to your home addition plans. But if you are able to, it can potentially save you money in the long run. Detached home additions, such as garages, guesthouses or even home offices, are more affordable.

If you decide to go the route of building your home addition on a new floor, you’ll get to skip the costs of excavation and any foundation work. You may need to hire an architect, as building up is more complicated than building out.

#4 What kind of building restrictions do I need to worry about?

Simply put—yes. The answer is slightly more complicated than that. Restrictions and permits will be different depending on your neighbourhood, city or county. To get a better idea of what you can expect, call your local office or speak to your contractor who will have the answers to your home addition questions.

You’ll need to know what parts of your property you’re actually allowed to build on. There may also be a height limit enforced in your area, which may impact what kind of home addition you choose.

#5 Do I need a contractor?

Odds are that if you are undertaking a home addition, you will need to hire a contractor. A contracting company that provides full service from start to finish of your home addition will help make your project easier to manage. They will take care of hiring all the tradespeople and professionals you will need to complete the project.

Any contractor you hire should be licensed and insured. Be sure to check their references and look through their portfolio to see their previous work. A great contractor won’t have anything to hide.