Adding on via Home Improvement: What to Consider

With economic certainty abound, homeowners anxious for a house with more space and functionality, whether for a new family member or the existing ones, would do well to consider adding on to their current home rather than looking for a new one. If done correctly, adding on to a home will add on to its value as well, ensuring that money spent now is a careful investment rather than a frivolous expense.

If you are unsure as to how a particular addition might affect the value of your home, take advantage of others' experience by asking around the neighborhood or check with local real estate agents to get an idea of how additions have fared in your particular locality.

Check with your local municipality as well as your homeowner's association regarding permits for building and remodeling. These may need to be applied for well in advance, so if you are even thinking of adding on, it will not hurt to inquire early about requirements.

If extra leisure space is what you are looking for and you do not like the idea of tearing out walls and adding to the foundation, consider closing in an existing porch. Windows and insulation can make turn a previously warm-weather space into one with year-round functionality and comfort. The extra room can be designed as an extra eating space, a game room, or simply somewhere to relax, read, and enjoy the views.

Finishing an attic is another great way to make use of your home's existing structure to add space and functionality. While a new game room, library, or lounge area can add value to the home for future sale and turn the renovation costs into an investment, consider how the additional space will add to the heating and cooling load of your HVAC system and whether or not the additional costs justify the project.

An attached greenhouse may actually help to save money on energy bills as well as provide an additional space for family and friends to enjoy. The greenhouse could be created as an addition to the home's structure—connected to the kitchen or a living area, for example—or created by converting an existing porch. Essentially all you need are quality windows to allow light and heat but insulate against thermal leakage. You will also need to carefully consider ventilation so that the room does not overheat in summer. A properly designed greenhouse can create a "sunspace" which absorbs and retains the heat of the sun and delivers it to the house. With the proper design you can greatly reduce heating bills in the winter, as well as provide a space to grow some of your own food! The whole space need not be dedicated to plants, as in winter it will provide a welcome leisure space for family and friends to bask in the sun's warmth.

When considering a home addition, carefully consider the economic implications versus relocating to a new home. While the uncertainty of the present economic situation seems to argue for investing in a current home instead of moving to a new one, every homeowner's situation will be unique. If you do decide to add-on, consider an addition that will pay for itself by either adding to your home's value or saving on energy costs. While many home repairs and renovations lend themselves to DIY, the structural and legal complexities (permits) of an addition make it a project that should be done in consultation with, if not entirely contracted out to, a professional.

In order to maintain efficiency in cooling, some additions may require installing a new air conditioner . A careful, professional assessment of heating and cooling needs should be completed before beginning any addition.