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By Vicki O’Neal
Thinking about building an addition or remodeling your home? Is your house bursting
at the seams, or do you just need more room for enjoying life? You may simply be interested in making the space you have more functional and pleasurable.
The layout of many homes does not integrate well with contemporary living and modern technology. A family may have a new baby on the way, or growing children needing more room to just be children. A couple who love to entertain might like their home to be more conducive to larger gatherings. Perhaps you’d like to have an artist’s studio, hobby room, or workshop. Home theaters and home offices have been a trend in recent years and may require special considerations.
Today there are compelling reasons to make our homes the best they can be rather than selling
and moving on. In many situations, building an addition or remodeling might make good economic sense. You may love your neighborhood or may not be able to find the right house in the area you would like to live. Land is becoming scarce in many areas and localities. Whatever the reason, building an addition, converting an attic, finishing a basement, or making any significant
alterations to your home is a major decision and requires careful thought and planning.
WHERE TO BEGIN
I frequently suggest starting your project with a wish list identifying your objectives and dreams. Also helpful is to generate an idea file with pictures and articles from magazines, books, newspapers, and online sources. Create a list of “must haves,” and make sure these are planned according to their priorities. Think about where in your home or on your property the new space might be most functional and fit best with the existing plan. Objectivity and good design advice may bring about some surprising solutions.
Because there are so many possibilities, the idea of building or remodeling
might seem a bit daunting. How will the new space affect the flow and function of the existing layout? What is the access and circulation? Can it be large enough to be comfortable and functional yet spatially efficient and cost effective? How will the design integrate aesthetically? What are the structural and construction considerations? To avoid potential costly changes, these very important questions need answers during the project design stage.
Some of the easiest spaces to renovate or convert are those areas that are already a part of your home’s basic construction. Perhaps enclosing part of your attic to become a home office or play room would be a good solution.
Sunrooms or porches are sometimes fairly easy additions on the back or side of a home and can bring in natural light and capture new views to the outdoors. A garage can be converted to a nicely sized family or recreation room. Basements offer great opportunities for found space but require specific planning and must be waterproofed with particular care.
THINK IT THROUGH
If you are considering an addition, a few initial preparation steps include checking any neighborhood covenants, property setback requirements, easements, utilities, and building codes or restrictions. If available, your property plat may provide some useful information
and valuable site criteria that may help guide the preliminary process. Obtaining necessary building permits and related inspections, etc. needs to be factored
into the building schedule.
Working with a designer or architect could be the most important step in achieving your goals. For an addition, integrating the new footprint, rooflines, and three-dimensional elements with the existing structure
can present unique challenges. A well conceived renovation can sometimes cleverly take advantage of borrowed adjacent square footage such as closets, hallways
or other underused spaces to create a highly efficient
space plan.
The team you choose can ultimately make or break your project. Choose a reputable, experienced, licensed and insured contractor. My motto for some time has been “installation is everything,” because plans, designs,
and details may be beautifully conceived and drawn, but skillful construction and execution are critical to the final outcome.
MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL
Usually it’s best to keep your material palette simple. Matching
existing materials, colors and surfaces where possible and appropriate
is an obvious way of blending in the new construction. Take notice and choose new features such as doors, windows, trim, hardware, and light fixtures to harmonize with the existing
elements. On the other hand, an addition may be the perfect opportunity for a simple or more elaborate face lift adding updated
elements and details. With careful planning and attention, the blending of old and new can add timeless appeal and value.
Additions, and construction in general, always have an impact
on the site as well as the interior of a home. Heavy equipment
and foot traffic may cause significant damage to the existing
lawn, landscaping, and trees. Where possible, install barriers around existing trees to prevent root damage and insure sustainability.
Depending on the relationship of the addition to existing layout, a landscape re-design may also be in order to incorporate the new construction and to correct existing issues. Pathways and function may be significantly impacted, so it’s a good idea to address the exterior design in the early stages of the project.
THE BIG PICTURE
There are clearly numerous factors to think about when planning
any addition or renovation. Consider future maintenance
and keep the project manageable. Costs and payback are important, as well as your tolerance level for disruption. Weather can play an unexpected role in the schedule. Plan for future as well as present needs in order to insure project sustainability. In the final analysis, the process and effort will quickly fade in memory when the last piece of furniture is put in place and you can relax and enjoy your new space.
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