Prioritize what space you want
Designing dream space you want in a home can be impractical. Decide that threshold of whether the space is necessary by prioritizing. Brainstorm a list of all the dream additions you’d love to your home. Afterwards, prioritize them. Analyze if any of those concepts can be accomplished with the existing square footage. If they can, you know that it probably is not necessary to go through a whole home addition process. If not, you’ve found the starting point for the home addition concept you’ll build on.
Look at the land and rules before designing
Depending on various land factors, rules about building additions are restrictive. Your land slope, home dimensions, and property lines are important to have information on. Local municipalities and city governments have regulations on how you build them. Check in on your community rules before even designing. This way, you aren’t stuck with an idea you love that isn’t build-able.
Speak to an expert about logistics and pricing
There are likely many contractors in your area who will offer free estimates and can help brainstorm what materials, how long it will take, and where it could best fit with the existing layout of your home. If pricing and logistics are an issue, investigate with different companies to find one you like. Don’t settle if you don’t love it. After going through this step, check in again to decide if this is worth your time and money. Your time and money are valuable resources that need to be allocated thoughtfully. If it isn’t, don’t continue until you’re sure. If you’re sure it is, move to the next step.
Break ground
After choosing your contractor, break ground as soon as you’re ready with the funds and time. There is no rush, but the process is often longer than most anticipate. The sooner you get going, the faster you’ll see results. Optimal times to build if you live in an area with all four seasons are spring and summer, so plan accordingly. Depending on where in your home you’re adding space, you’ll need to move around furniture and adjust living patterns during the build.
Thinking about the interior is the last step. Most of the work comes from working through building concepts, breaking ground, and budgeting. Home additions are not easy, but with a little planning, you can achieve the home you’ve always wanted.
