Planning an addition to your home in Greater Cleveland is an exciting venture that can enhance your living space and potentially increase your property's value. It's a significant and worthwhile undertaking that requires thoughtful consideration of various factors. Here, we'll explore key considerations to keep in mind when planning your home addition, ensuring that your project aligns with your goals and budget.
1. Setting a Clear Objective
Before embarking on any home remodel, it's crucial to understand exactly what you're doing and why. Clear goals help in determining the scope of the project and guide the design process. Whether it's creating a space for your home gym equipment or adding specific features like a sunroom or an in-law suite, having a clear objective is the first step in a successful home addition. Defining your objectives early on helps in effective communication with your design-build architect. With a clear objective, your architect will be able to zero in on the details that will bring your goals to fruition.
2. The Value the Addition Adds to Your Home
You may not be considering a move for several years, if at all, but taking into account the value your addition can add is important nonetheless. Understanding how much value the project adds to your property helps set realistic expectations about the return on investment. This consideration is especially important if you plan to sell, refinance, or take out a home equity line of credit in the future. A well-planned addition can significantly enhance the market appeal of your home.
3. Zoning Restrictions and Building Codes
Familiarize yourself with local zoning restrictions and building codes. These regulations can affect various aspects of your addition, including its size, location, and design. Ensuring compliance with these regulations is essential for a smooth and legal construction process. Most municipalities have specific rules about building distances from the property line and height limitations. Consulting with local authorities can provide clarity and prevent potential legal issues or having to reassess your design, wasting both time and cost.
4. Available Space on Your Property
If you're deciding between building up or building out, you must consider the amount of yard space you're willing to give up if you decide to build out. This consideration is crucial when brainstorming design options. Sometimes, building upwards is more feasible than extending outward. Beyond the square feet, the addition may take up in your yard, consider how your addition will sit in relation to other structures, like a neighbor's home. Proper planning ensures your addition enhances rather than compromises your outdoor living areas.
5. Design Style: Blending Old with New
Ensure that your home addition looks like it's always been part of your home by working closely with your design-build architect to choose finishes and architectural elements that reflect the rest of your home. This includes considering how the roofline of the addition connects to your house, the flow of the layout, the proportions, and the design style of your current home. It's essential to balance modern amenities with existing aesthetics, especially if you aren't planning a whole home remodel. The goal is to create a cohesive look that feels both fresh and familiar.
6. Your Budget
Your budget should direct the design of the home addition, not the other way around. Be clear on what your priorities are and rank your wants and needs according to importance to keep your budget manageable. Determine how you plan to finance your project and consider various options like savings, loans, or refinancing. Staying within budget requires careful planning and open communication with your design-build team.
7. The Construction Team
When you're considering your construction team options, keep your priorities in mind. Choose a team that has extensive experience with home additions, and has a track record for impeccable work that's delivered on time and within budget. Ask friends and family for recommendations, research online portfolios, and read online reviews. Finally, consider whether you will choose a traditional build team or a design-build team. Choosing a design-build team will likely result in saving time, staying on budget, reducing stress, efficient communication, and ongoing support throughout the process.
8. Living Arrangements During Construction
Decide whether you'll move out or live in your home during the construction. In some cases, it's impractical to stay in the home during construction, especially if major daily routines are interrupted, you work from home, have several pets, or have small children or babies in the home. A kitchen expansion, for example, will keep you from having a functional kitchen in your home for several weeks.
However, if you do plan to stay in your home, working with a design-build team that utilizes construction management software will give you the benefit of daily updates, a detailed schedule, and a work log, as well as a clear avenue for communication.
9. Protecting Your Existing Home
Discuss with your contractor how they intend to protect the existing elements of your home during construction. This is especially important if you plan to live in the house during the renovation. Think about factors like weather protection, dust accumulation, and the safety of your belongings. Effective measures to protect your home during construction will preserve its integrity and minimize cleanup. Consider putting adjacent furniture and other belongings in storage, covering furniture in plastic, or renting an on-property storage pod.
Plan for Success with the Right Team
Planning an addition to your home in Cleveland Heights, Pepper Pike, Chagrin Falls or the surrounding areas involves careful consideration of design, legal compliance, budget, and construction logistics. By addressing these key factors and working with experienced professionals, you can ensure that your home addition not only meets your current needs but also enhances the overall value and appeal of your home.
At Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations, we understand that your home is more than a house; which is why we utilize the design-build method to deliver luxury remodels and additions that feel like home. For decades, we've built a reputation on our incredible craftsmanship, superior designs, and outstanding customer experience. Contact us to schedule your consultation today!
