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So you need more space, but you really like your neighborhood and would rather not move. Adding on to your existing home may be the way to go. A home addition is a complex undertaking, but with the right amount of planning and assistance, you'll breeze through it in no time. Here are some guidelines to help you start out on the right path.
Determine what both you and your partner want from this renovation. Maybe you're looking for extra space for the kids, but your spouse wants a quiet area for office space. Sometimes both your needs are very different. List on paper your goals and wants in order of priority.
Visit your local building department, to explore the rules and restrictions for additions to your particular property and neighborhood. There will be rules as to the size and height of a structure, distance it must be from the property lines, height restrictions or possibly restraints due to historical designation. Find out what type of permit is required and get a cost break down for the permit.
Plan your new space with an open mind. You may have to shuffle things around to get the most effective use out of your new addition, and this use of your space may not be what you had originally envisioned.
An addition does not necessarily mean BIG. Sometimes smart use of existing space goes a long way to satisfying your needs. Look for closets or hallways you may be able to borrow extra space from. Maybe breaking down the wall between the master bedroom and the tiny spare room is all you'll need to do to get that dream closet.
Sometimes an addition is a good opportunity to enhance the look of your home's exterior. An added gazebo, breakfast nook, or front porch can add interest to an otherwise tired looking home.
Wherever possible, an addition should appear as though it was always part of the original structure. Sometimes, it's impossible to match outdated siding or brick. When selecting exterior finishes, use similar styles and coloring with a slightly different texture to compliment, not compete with the existing design. This includes using similar roof lines if you're adding an entryway or additional floor.
Consider existing landscaping patterns and floral borders to ensure they too are repeated. If you have a walkway circling the house, but it abruptly stops where the new addition starts, it may detract from the overall finished look of the house.
If all the rooms are fairly small, but you add a master bedroom the size of a city block, it just doesn't sit right. Keep the add-on in proportion to the rest of the house.
Stick to the same architectural and building styles as your original home. If you are only replacing two windows and your existing windows are sliders, don't suddenly introduce casements as a window style – learn to go with the flow.
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