8 Important Things to Consider with Home Extensions
Home Extensions
When someone begins to feel bored or cramped at home, he or she may begin to think it’s time to move. If you’re this type of person, rest easy. The good news is that you don’t have to move, you can simply improve. The fluctuation of the current real estate market is enough to convince anyone that an extension is far superior to selling your home. Moreover, as a homeowner, you should sit and think about the changes you desire.
Do you love your neighborhood, the school district, and everything else about your property? If the only thing making you unhappy is your current space, you have many options besides vacating your home. Not to mention, if you have plans to grow your family or age in place, you’ll want to stay put in your home for a long time. You can achieve more space, by revamping a room, renovating your house, or adding an extension.
However, for the best results, you must work with several professionals on this decision. Talk to an interior designer, architect, and other skilled specialists about your ideas. Once you’ve made the decision, you’ll want to get in touch with a project manager to oversee that all of these professionals work in synergy to bring you your desired result.
In my case, I always look to see what we can do with your current space. We can work together on space planning first. Sometimes, I can achieve your goal without actually requiring more space. If I feel we don’t have enough space to work with, then we can plan an extension together. You should always work with a seasoned professional, because there are many things to consider when you plan a home extension.
When planning your home extension, remember:
- Aesthetically, the extension must flow seamlessly with the rest of the house. It should also make the house blend well with rest of the neighborhood. This is important for acquiring a return of investment when you eventually do sell your home.
- Consider the function of the extension. Think of the project from the video for a great example. When we added a pool house for this client, we aligned it properly so that traffic flows from the pool house to the bathroom; this homeowner will not have pool guests walking through her house to use the lavatory.
- Talk with people who have added extensions to their homes before; ask for personal advice.
- Consult with a project manager, interior designer, and an architect; ask for professional advice too.
- Ceiling height and rooflines play a major role in what options are available to you; remember to provide your tradesmen and interior designer with as much information as possible.
- Ask about all necessary permits and requirements.
- Consider any plans for future extensions.
- Take professional advice seriously, especially if you’re considering a second floor extension.
A home extension is a very rewarding project and when it’s done right, you benefit dramatically because after all, you’ll live with your results every day.
Tammy Kaplan
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