Anyone put an addition on to their home?

[laughinplace199]

We are considering adding a family room. We currently have a deck off the kitchen, and we're thinking of getting rid of the deck and having a family room added on. Having never done anything like this before, I'm open to any and all advice.

If you've added on to your home, was there anything you regret doing (or not doing)? Anything you didn't think of until it was too late? This will be a fairly simple addition, just a family room with a small bathroom, and I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed. I have no idea how many windows we want, or if we want a closet, if we want a half bath or full, etc.

I'd love to hear about your experiences.

TIA!

 

[lisah0711]

We added a sunroom and upstairs deck to our house six years ago. We love our addition but did learn a few lessons.

First, get an architect to help draft up the plans. They will think of things like how the water runs off the roof, the best place to put the plumbing, deal with framing issues, and a host of other things. They will also help you select materials that go with your house, many materials are maintenance free, and can make a big difference whether your addition looks like it belongs there or was stuck on there. Our architect cost about 1% of our house value and was worth every penny.

I regret that we didn't put in a fireplace because we don't have a fireplace anywhere in our house. But really, I love the room just the way it is. On the other hand I think a family room should have a fireplace.

I am one of those folks who thinks you can never have too much closet space. And a 3/4 bath will give you some extra bathing space but cost less than a full bath. The architect would help with windows. I would guess that you want doors to the outside since you have a deck now.

Look at some magazines and tear out pictures of things that you appeal to you. That will help you narrow down your choices.

Last, but not least, get at least three bids from reputable contractors. I know we paid too much for our addition. It is water under the bridge now, but it still irks me.

Remodeling projects, even easy ones, have a way of taking longer and costing more than you expect because the contractor never knows what he is going to find until he opens up the walls. Oh, and there will be a stage in the remodeling when you think the chaos is never going to end -- but it will.

Have fun with your project!

 

[nmmom95]

We added two bedrooms on the second floor 5 years ago. We also got windows, siding and a roof at the same time. One thing we didn't think of was that the heater and air conditioner were not big enough and had to be replaced. To be honest, it was a HUGE pain while it was being done. I had an infant at the time, so the noise and the constant traffic was difficult, but I'm really glad we did it. Just make sure you have a reputable contractor.

 

[missypie]

Early on, look at the setback lines on your survey or subdivision plat and make sure you can build where you want to build. We had to ask the city for a variance and it was denied. It delayed the project by 3+ months (plus the room we built was smaller.)

Also, it should go without saying, but make sure you contractor gets the required permits from the city. It didn't happen with our big remodel, but our shed building project was red-tagged because the guy building it didn't get a building permit.

 

[Kies99]

I'm going through this right now. Here's my blog about it:

http://mattkieslingsblog-o-rama.blogspot.com/
(I'm a little behind on it. We are finishing up the mudding of the dry wall and getting ready for the flooring)

Anyway, the number 1 tip I can give is DON'T DO IT ANY OF IT YOURSELF!!!

We are doing the complete interior ourselves. My wife and I both work full-time and have a 6yo and 8yo. We are tired during the week and don't get much done and then we are running on weekends so usually only have one day to do anything. It's taking us quite a long time to get stuff done. Really wish my wife would've agreed to just let the contractor finish. I know we're saving a lot of money this way (FIL has lots of experience and he's helped alot), but it'd be done by now.

The second tip I can give you is get a start and end date in writing. Our contractor let his guys knock off early if it was too hot so there were a few days where they should have been working and only put in a couple of hours. This ended up pushing the completion of their part back a couple of weeks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Simple addition, there is no such thing.

I have not done an addition but having done so many home projects over the 4 houses we have had I could probably say that you need to do your homework with the financial aspect first.

First thing, would be will this addition make your home out of the price range for your neighborhood?

It is just with home pricing falling you want to make sure you are not going to eat this hook, line and sinker if for some reason you need to sell. And believe me this point needs to be addressed even if you think this is your forever home. This will keep the addition at a reasonable price range.

Are you paying cash or taking out a loan? If you have to sell will you be able to recoup the cost, ie can you pull cash out to cover the addition loan.

If you are paying cash then of course these are moot points.

Once you determine how much you can afford to risk on the addition then you can start getting bids. I would get several and also try to talk to people that put on the additions. Get references.

Do alot of homework. Good Luck!

 

[mickeyboat]

We added a master bath, master bedroom and 2nd floor laundry room 5 years ago. We also completely remodeled and refinished the rest of the houe - inside and out. DH is a contractor and did all the work himself.

We did it in stages, but had to move out at one point for almost 10 months. Our kids were pretty small at that point, and it wasn't fun.

My advice is to really think about how you are going to use the new space, and plan accordingly - where are you going to put your Christmas tree? Do you have any artwork you would like highlighted? How might you arrange furniture? Include this in your plans. As for finishes, look for middle of the road - unless your home has high end finishes already.

Good luck!

 

[JR6ooo4]

While "not doing any of it yourself" is good advice for many, you still need someone with proper knowlege at the site every single day to watch what is goin on.

SIL had some work done, the needed to add a vent through the roof. as they were patching the shingles around the hole, they laid the new shingle on the roof to cut it and cut right through some of the shingles that were not supposed to be disturbed!!! So their roof leaked. and with a roof leak you do not usually find out about it until it is a big problem. the little bit of water trickles in, and grows mold. then more and more until the ceiling drywall is moldy and soggy and is falling down on you while you are in the bathroom.

all because of one dimwitted employee.

But I am sure you will not have that problem, right? Hehehehehee

good luck and thanks for supporting the construction industry which has been hit harder than any other. by those (*^(*#)*(^)^$## bankers that took eveyone's money. but no one talks about that.

Mikeeee

 

[MIGrandma]

Yes, we added a family room to our house back in 1987. We spoke with two separate building contractors and told them what we wanted and they offered suggestions as well. We chose one, and they put us on their list. One morning that July they pulled in and started.

The room is good sized, 24' x 24' square. We have a large bay window facing north, and on the south wall we used the windows that came out of the old family room (which is now an office) since that wall had to be taken down. And we have a bay-style entrance with french doors and tall side windows. That small area has vinyl flooring, and the rest of the room has carpet. It has a cathedral ceiling with barn wood trim and knotty pine trim, and a barn wood beam going down the center with ceiling lights. The room has paneling going a bit less than half-way up with chair railing trim, then painted in cream the rest of the way up. The ceiling is popcorn style with glitter.

It's my favorite room in the house, and of course the one we spend the most time in.

We also added on a large 3-level deck off the french doors, and we had the whole house sided with white vinyl siding trimmed in country blue.

DH and I did most of the finishing work, but got tired of doing the drywalling so we did hire someone to finish that and to do the ceiling.

Good luck with your family room project.

The most fun I had with the room was being able to furnish it! We hadn't bought much new furniture up until that room was done.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for all of the great replies. You all have already given me lots to think about.

 

[Nancyg56]

WE added onto our living area 5 yeas ago ago, completely gutting the existing structure. I agree that using an architect was a great investment.

Also, make sure that your cooling and heating system can handle the extra space, it is better to factor that cost into your budget than to find out that after your funds are spent.

Spend money on the things that will last the longest, we invested more in our cabinets than in the counter tops. I can always replace them and update them later but the cabinets need to last.

Make sure that you have money set aside for the "might as wells" and the problems that you could not foresee. In our case we had a lot of "might as wells" Thank goodness my DH is a good money manager because we upgraded a lot more that we had originally intended to. The lumber costs were skyrocketing then too..

Make sure you have contracts. We had no problems with any contractor who we had contracts with. Our carpenter was a friend of my DH and they are coworkers. No contract. It was very awkward. So no more friends either.

 

[muffyn]

The room is good sized, 24' x 24' square. . It has a cathedral ceiling with barn wood trim and knotty pine trim, and a barn wood beam going down the center with ceiling lights. The room has paneling going a bit less than half-way up with chair railing trim, then painted in cream the rest of the way up. The ceiling is popcorn style with glitter.

any chance you can post pictures? we are still figuring out how to finish our cathedral room addition.

 

[yoopermom]

My DH is a contractor, and he sees a lot of "decide in haste, repent in leisure" when it comes to this kind of decision. Either work with a REALLY good contractor or bite the bullet and pay for an architect. Planning really is a lot of it.

Now, you don't say if it's one story or two, and what the slope of the land is, but often, if the house is already a two story, he'll go ahead and make the addition a two story as well, since it's cheaper to go up than out. For example, that way, if you're adding a bathroom in the downstairs addition, there'll be the plumbing in place to put one right above it (in your new master suite).

It's much cheaper to put it on a slab (or crawl space) rather than putting it on a basement, but then you have to figure on heating. I have in floor heat (our whole house only has crawl space) and LOVE it.

If you're used to lots of light coming in from the existing deck, how is that going to change with a room there now? Don't forget the importance of natural light.

I would definitely go with the 3/4 bath, too. If it's going to be a family/rec room, are you going to want a built in entertainment center? If so, it's easier to run the wiring for all the electronics/surround sound, too.

Good luck, sounds like fun!
Terri