Saving yourself from stress when building an addition
Your home is looking a bit crowded lately, and now you’re considering building an addition. Perhaps your family has grown in recent years, or you just want a bit of extra space for entertaining.
There are many things to consider when undertaking such a project, but John Friswell of North Vancouver’s CCI Renovations has some tips for homeowners.
“You need to ensure you have enough space,” he says. Municipalities have different rules for the height and width of a structure, so it is important to do some research before deciding on what the addition will look like.
Figuring out your budget is also important before you start speaking to renovation companies.
“Budget expectations are wide and varied,” says Friswell. “It’s dependent on site, structure and what you’re putting in it. Bedrooms and living rooms are cheaper, while kitchens and bathrooms are more expensive.”
As to whether you will be able to live in your home during the construction, Friswell says it depends on the type of renovation. If you will be working on a master bedroom and ensuite that only connects to a hallway, that will be a different story than building another wing from scratch.
“We always recommend that owners might want to head out,” he says. “It can be a lot of stress and a lot of mess for them.”
Obviously, the breadth of the renovation has an effect on how long it will take to complete, but Friswell says it’s generally between three and seven months.
“It can be dependent on weather,” he says. Rain and snow can hamper a renovation, especially if it involves removing a roof.
“If you’re ripping a roof off, you need to consider (the possibility of) water, and the structure. The best solution is to cover it,” Friswell says. “It saves a lot of headaches.”
When deciding on a design for your new project, it’s best to look at what you like and dislike about your current house, as well as checking out the neighbourhood around you.
“We go through a questionnaire to find out their thoughts,” Friswell says. “We need to know why they’re doing a renovation. Usually it’s because they don’t have enough space.”
Whether you’re expanding the living area or adding a completely new storey, discussing your plans with a professional and being able to be a bit flexible with your plans will stand you in good stead. While it can be a long process, ending up with a home you love is never time or money wasted.
KERRY VITAL/ Black Press
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