The decision to expand your house can be a consequence of needing more space or just wanting it. If you have a growing family, then more space might be a necessity. You also might just want more space but simply weren’t able to afford it when you last bought a home. If your expenses have fallen, your income has gone up, or both, then you can possibly afford an expansion that gives you more space without having to move to a new home. In either case, there are many steps to take when you want to expand your home. SFGate warns homeowners considering this to keep in mind just how big of a project it really is.
Decisions, Decisions
To start with, you need to decide how many rooms you are going to add. You’ll also need to make choices on where you want the expansion to happen. Analyze your finances to determine your available budget. Not only do you need to stay within this budget, but you should probably leave 10 to 15 percent of it free for mistakes, accidents, and cost overruns.
Getting Others Involved
At some point, you’ll have to decide between doing this work as a DIY project or hiring a contractor to handle it. Depending on where you live, there might be a permit process involved, and contractor work might be required. Talking to contractors is a good idea even if you are thinking about the DIY route. Getting multiple quotes helps you determine whether or not your budget is accurate or not. They can give you precision quotes for specifics, such as working with a concrete company to expand your foundation.
Doing the Actual Work
Once you decide who is doing the work, clear the terrain that will be expanded upon. Also leave room for supplies and contractor vehicles. Get your permissions and permits, and schedule the work to take place. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies well in advance. You don’t want to waste contractor time or your own weekends waiting on materials.
While you want the actual work done quickly, you also want it done accurately. You might have to have a government inspector certify the final work in order for it to be legal and up to code.
Finally, make sure your home’s plumbing and HVAC are expanded to handle the demands of there being new square footage they have to provide for. Expect to pay more in property taxes as well.
Expanding your home is a big decision. Make sure you are prepared ahead of time and understand all the steps you will need to take to execute your large home project.
