Building an addition onto your home is a small remodeling project. There are several things that have to take place before and during the process to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Here are some tips for adding to your home and making sure you don’t have to double back and do it twice.

1. Make sure you have some good plans drawn up. Successful remodeling projects include careful planning and a realistic budget. Remodeling cheap and fast will only cause problems down the road, so take your time to plan things. Hire a builder that is on the same page as you are and you will save time and money. Good communication will help.

2. Consider other homes in the neighborhood. Whether your neighbors are close or a few miles away, you need to consider how your addition will affect the value of your home. What are the homes around you appraising for; what are they worth? Will the addition to your home bring the value of their homes up as well as your own? A general rule to follow when building additions onto a house is not to overbuild the neighborhood.

3. Consider the design being added onto your home. Any good remodel will be consistent with the original structure of the home so it complements it. Pay attention to the small details; windows, trim styles, and types of materials you use to blend the old and new .

4. Permissions. You need to make sure you acquire all the necessary legal and building permissions prior to beginning your remodeling project. This would include, but not be limited to, any service providers involved, building restrictions, and any neighborhood stipulations. If you neglect to do it, you could be faced with fines and penalties or worse. Don’t chance it.

5. Building up to code. When you build a home from the ground up there are certain codes that have to be met. It is usually the same when you are remodeling or adding onto the home as well. Electrical and plumbing are just two of the things that have specific codes you have to meet before you can continue finishing your addition. If you have a licensed contractor they should take care of this part for you. Make sure you work with a contractor that works with the system and takes care of you with permits and more.

6. Come up with a reasonable budget. It is easy to go over a budget. When you draw up the plans stick to the budget and the original plan.

7. Don’t skimp on what you build. Whether you’re adding on to stay in the home or if you’re adding on to sell, don’t be a cheap skate. Potential home buyers are pickier than ever and they want to see quality work. So spend a little extra on a good design, durable and quality materials, and good craftsmanship. It can really pay off in the end. Not to mention, if you sale, that home inspector might find these things and you will have to fix to sell.

Information for this article was taken from homebuildingremodeling.com For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-69658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net