• First things first, decide which direction you want to go: out or up. Building out may require foundation work and related expenses. Building up may require some demolition costs. Also, what kind of room do you want to add? An extra bedroom? Extra storage? More attic space? An additional bathroom? Consider your needs carefully.
• Once you’ve outlined a plan, talk to an architect from a company such as The Reno Pros, and have the plans drawn up. This is also the time for you to gather any legal documents you may be need. Obtain an accurate plot plan that that shows property lines and the proximity of the proposed addition to the existing buildings.
• Select the ideal materials for the project. The ideal material will be whatever matches the existing structure. If you have a wood home, have your renovator determine the exact species of wood. However, matching roofing materials may be more difficult to find. If the existing structure is showing too many signs of age anyway, you could consider having a lot of it redone.
• Understand common home addition problems, such as putting stress on the foundation and floor framing problems for upper-level additions. For the first problem, it may be necessary to remove old footings and build a proper foundation. The second problem may be fixed by “sistering” additional joists onto the existing joists to provide extra support to the system prior to the subfloor being put down.
• If you have an older home, have it inspected for hazardous materials or substances that may require special handling. Examples include lead paint that was used in the early ‘70s or dangerous fibers used in construction products from the 40s through 60s. It’s best to have a professional get rid of these materials before you begin the extension.
• Building a home addition may require a more extensive heating and cooling system. Options include extending the existing system, upgrading the entire system, or installing a stand-alone system that is designed to service the new room(s).
• Plan your budget. There is a misconception that this type of renovation project comes with many hidden costs. However, most of the expenses are in plain sight. You can plan a realistic budget ahead of time. Some of the expenses will include contract fees, materials, finance charges/loan interest, increased premiums, higher property taxes, landscape repair, architectural fees, etc. It’s still a good idea however to have some extra money just in case there are any building problems.

It’s important to realize that building home additions ae NOT DIY projects. You will need experts to come in to help you with each step, from planning to building.