Most of us believe we’ve found residential perfection when we buy or build our first home. But we quickly discover that as our family changes, our perfect home also needs to adapt. With that in mind, we decided to make today’s blog post about things you need to consider when planning your home addition. The first thing that often comes to mind is zoning, so we’ll skip that part and head right into how to make your new addition blend with the rest of your home.
Blend the style and materials with your existing home. Sadly, some home remodeling companies can walk away from a project that looks unfinished or improperly finished. An addition should easily blend with or complement the rest of the home. Exact siding matches can be tricky, but they aren’t impossible. The expansion should also flow from one room to the next with ease on the interior of your home.
Double-check with your homeowner’s association (HOA) before you remodel. Some HOAs are very strict on how you can add to your home whereas others are a little more lenient. You may be able to appeal your request with official planning paperwork if the HOA initially denies it. Remember to keep your cool and negotiate with them.
Consider where your new roofing and flooring lines will meet the existing lines. The overall appearance of your home, both inside and out, will change with the new addition. Do you have a view that you love, and will the new addition obstruct it? Will you need to add a step up or down to access the new addition? Will it turn your home into a multi-level house? Will the new roofing be much taller than the existing roofing?
Living in an unfinished and hectic home. Your home will feel completely unfinished and possibly even open to the elements during some parts of the project. We will do everything in our power to protect your home from the elements during the project’s duration. This may mean working inside on rainy days and outside on nice days, even if our production calendar says otherwise.
Make sure your HVAC system can handle the additional load. HVAC units, like heat pumps, are designed to heat or cool a specific range of sizes. A 3.5-ton HVAC unit, for example, is designed to effectively heat or cool a home between 1901 and 2200 square feet, whereas a 5-ton unit is designed for a home between 2601 and 3200 square feet. Smaller units are available for smaller square footage. The heat pump may need to be replaced, or you may need to consider adding a second small unit for the home addition.
We’ve helped many Westfield area homeowners remodel or add onto their homes to create the home they need from the home they have. Call us at 908-789-9151 if you would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation with us. We will discuss your upcoming project and share our ideas to help you create something unique.
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