Building a Room Addition can be one of the best investments you
can make in your home. Building a room addition, such as a
family room addition, or bonus room can add wonderful new living
space to your home. However, prior to starting a room addition,
a homeowner should first formulate a room addition plan. There
are several key factors that should be considered prior to
breaking ground.
Developing a room addition plan should include both interior and
exterior considerations. With many room addition projects a
homeowner can draw up the basic room addition plans, including
the floor layout and the physical exterior shape and size of the
addition. However, if the roof lines and/or foundation
footprints on the existing home or the new room addition are
complex, an architect may be required. An architect may also be
required to ensure that the finished room addition aesthetically
melds well into the existing home. This is a key factor for
resale value. If a room addition appears as an afterthought to
the home it will be aesthetically unappealing to the
neighborhood and to someday prospective home buyers.
When planning a room addition, the permit / inspection process
will typically include an overall building permit, as well as
electric, plumbing, and insulation permits. In order to complete
the building permit process you will need drawings or sketches
of the room addition. Besides overall sketches of the room
addition with overall dimensions, the drawings will also need to
include cross-sectional views showing the framing type and
physical sizes of floor joists, roof rafters, and wall framing
construction. You will also need a bill of materials and a cost
estimate for the construction. The building inspector will use
this information to determine if the construction will meet all
construction and safety codes. The building inspector also uses
the Bill of Material and cost information to assess the amount
of the permit cost.
During the building of the room addition, inspections should be
completed after the:
· Foundation is poured
· Rough framing completed
· Rough Electric completed
· Rough Plumbing completed
· Insulation completed
· Final Inspection / Occupancy Permit (Electric/Plumbing are
complete)
Whether hiring a general contractor or planning to be a do it
yourself carpenter and general contractor a budget and time
table should be developed prior to starting the room. Not only
is it necessary in the permitting process, it will help in
identifying long lead items and provide the information
necessary for financing the project if required. In addition, if
acting as your own general contractor creating the time table
will help assist you in determining need dates for sub
contractors.
With room addition building plans and permits secured, as well
as a solid Bill of materials and a timetable completed, a
homeowner can begin the room addition project with a high
likelihood of a smooth and successful home building project.
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