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What’s the Process for Building a Home Addition?

You love your neighborhood, location, backyard, and the community surrounding your home, but you don’t love how limiting your home’s current footprint or layout is.

A home addition solves the problem but opens up various feasibility questions, including which permits are needed to complete your home expansion, which design will provide the most value, and how to blend the new part of your home with its existing architectural features.

In this blog, Chiatovich Construction’s general contractors help you uncover everything you need to know to prepare for building a home addition.

Do Home Additions Increase Property Value?

Home additions are strategic investments that increase your property value in several ways. They add usable square footage, which is a major factor that buyers consider. A well-planned addition—like a new bedroom or bathroom—can also bump your home into a higher value bracket, yielding a higher listing price should you decide to sell your home.

Additions also address functional needs that appeal to a broader range of buyers. For instance, creating a home office or in-law suite caters to the growing work-from-home trend and the desire for multi-generational living. In short, when your goal is to improve your home’s value, curb appeal, and function, a well-thought-out and installed addition is never a wrong move.

Addition Types

The addition type you choose will determine the path of planning, design, and construction on your property.

Your choices include:

• Room additions
• Second story additions
• Kitchen additions
• Bathroom additions
• Bump-outs
• Dormer additions
• Garage conversions
• Home office additions
• In-law suite additions
• Accessory dwelling units

Planning, Designing, and Budgeting for a Residential Addition

Defining your needs and goals is the best way to start planning, designing, and budgeting for a residential addition. How much extra space do you need? Which rooms are lacking?

Consider your current and future goals. If you’re part of a growing family, you may prioritize more bedrooms, while if you’re an empty nester, you might desire a home office or extra space for hobbies. Think about how you’ll use the new space and whether it’ll need additional services like plumbing and electrical installations.

Now is also a great time to review your investment goals. Are you aiming to increase your property value for resale, create a comfortable haven for you and your loved ones, or do both?

Next, establish a realistic budget by researching the costs of similar projects in your area. Consider consulting with a contractor to get a more accurate estimate and to understand the potential costs involved, including materials, labor, permits, and unforeseen expenses.

Developing a clear design plan is the key to a successful construction project. Working with an architect or designer will help you visualize your addition and ensure it complements your existing home. Through careful planning, thoughtful design, and a well-considered budget, you pave the way for a home addition that meets your requirements and enhances your living space.

How Do Designers Blend Home Additions With Existing House Exteriors?

Several strategies help your addition designer blend new construction with your home’s existing exterior. One of the most effective ways to ensure a cohesive look is to match the materials of your new addition with those of your existing structure. This includes siding, roofing, windows, and doors. Using the same or similar materials helps the addition blend in naturally.

When a perfect match isn’t attainable, designers will often mirror the architectural style of your house. This includes rooflines, eaves, trim details, and other architectural features. Consistent architectural elements create a harmonious look between your house’s old and new parts.

Designers also pay close attention to the scale of your addition, making sure it doesn’t overpower your home’s existing structure. Proper scaling helps maintain your home’s aesthetic balance.

Do You Need a Permit to Build an Addition on Your House?

Yes. You’ll need one or more permits to move forward with building any addition type.

Some of the most common permit types required for additions include:

Building Permit

This primary permit is mandatory for any structural changes or additions to your home. Your building permit ensures construction meets all safety and building codes.

Electrical Permit

An electrical permit is required when your addition involves new electrical wiring or changes to existing electrical systems.

Plumbing Permit

Plumbing permits are necessary for addition projects that involve new plumbing installations and modifications to existing plumbing infrastructure.

Mechanical Permit

Does your addition include a new heating, cooling, or ventilation system or an upgrade to an existing HVAC system? A mechanical permit is usually required to facilitate a smooth addition construction process.

Grading Permit

A grading permit may be needed when your project calls for significant changes to the landscape or terrain (excavation, grading, etc.).

Zoning Approval

You may need approval from the local zoning department to ensure that your addition complies with zoning laws and regulations, including setback requirements, height restrictions, and land use.

Environmental Health Permit

If your addition involves changes to septic systems or other environmental health aspects, you might need a permit from the environmental health department.

Fire Department Permit

A permit from the fire department might be necessary for additions that impact fire safety, including adding or altering fire alarms or sprinkler systems.

Addition Construction Process

Once you’ve set a budget and selected an addition type, design, and materials you love, your project will move into the addition construction process.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Site preparation
2. Foundation and framing
3. Electrical and plumbing installations
4. Insulation and drywall installation
5. Flooring and interior finishes
6. Exterior finishing touches
7. Final inspections and approvals

Turn an Ordinary Home Into Your Dream Home With a Custom Addition

Now that you know more about what goes into building an addition and what you should consider before beginning, you’re ready to transform a more compact home into your dream living space with a custom home addition.

Do you have more questions about the planning, budgeting, or building process specific to your property? Chiatovich Construction’s general contractors are here to guide you in the right direction.

Give us a call at (530) 712-1957 now to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.