If you’re in need of more space but you’re still very much in love with your home and neighbourhood and simply not ready to move, expending your home might be the right option. A lot of houses have a hidden potential and extensions can easily transform them into a more comfortable and enjoyable place to live in, while also adding to their current value.
Sometimes expanding your property further isn’t possible but you can always go up. By adding the second storey, you can easily increase the living space and enable everyone in the family to have their own private area.
Before you go ahead with a project of this kind, there are several things to consider, from budget planning, getting the necessary permits, hiring professional help to deciding on size of the addition.
Budget planning
Many homeowners make a common mistake of rushing with the project without having done the budget calculation first. It’s very difficult for potential builders to provide you with accurate quotes without this valuable piece of information. They will only be able to give very vague assessment and rough cost estimate and jeopardize your budget and outcome. The best recommendation is to collaborate with an experienced architect who will offer useful insight and advice on all the plans, quotes and permits.
Building permits
After selecting the contractors and having your plans drafted by your architect, the next step is to obtain the necessary permits to be able to finally write up and sign the contract which must incorporate costs and scope of work, estimated time frame, detailed specifications, and payment upon completion.
It’s imperative that your project gets approved by the local council building department as it must comply with the current laws and regulations.
Professional help
Even though you have a great idea for the upper floor extension and a knack for interior design, it might not be enough. Adding a floor also means adding more weight and it might turn out that your home structure and foundations were designed to support only one floor. Before you start with the remodel, you should have a professional inspection of your home. These experts will check your home for any potential issues with its structure, roofing, and foundations. They will also be able to determine if there might be any problems regarding plumbing, heating or electrical wiring. It’s imperative that you bring everything up to code to be able to obtain the building permit.
To be on the safe side, consider hiring a certified and reliable builder. Building additions involves professional equipment, including getting the best scaffolding rental options that will provide safe and easy access to higher areas but still be cost-effective. The smart move is to consult several of them, get their quotes, assessments, and estimated work schedules. Be sure to check their references and past work projects.
The size
The last but not least, you should also consider the size of the second floor. You need to determine if you need a full second story or just a partial addition, as it will play a significant role in the overall costs. If your budget is limited at the moment, you might opt for just building the structure and leave the finishing touches for later. And when you do build the upper floor, you’ll need to tackle the ground floor as well. Adding the second storey does not only create additional space but it also frees more space downstairs. This way, you can have the possibility to create a new bedroom or move the laundry from the basement to the main floor for easier access.
Adding a second storey to your home is a major renovation project that will not only increase the value of your home, but it will also add to the quality of your life. This type of extension is surely costly and time-consuming, but if you follow these tips, it will be worth it in the end when you get to enjoy the beautiful space you created.
