Adding Addition Costs for a House
Costs for a home addition are substantial, and building an addition usually costs more than new construction, because the construction must blend seamlessly with the existing home. Also, upgrades and repairs usually have to be done to the existing house before work can begin on the addition. Costs for a home addition can run anywhere from $100 to $700 per square foot, depending on the type of addition. Does this Spark an idea?
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Vertical Additions
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Building vertically on an existing house has specific challenges, particularly, the foundation and beams of the house must be strong enough to support the new addition. There is a good possibility that existing ceilings will be damaged during construction of a new second floor. The most expensive and complicated part of this type of addition is that the existing roof must either be lifted and re-set on the addition, or the roof must replaced altogether.
Expanding Outward
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A ground-level addition usually means pouring a new foundation. This will require excavation costs, as well as the cost of constructing the foundation, which is made of concrete footings, walls and a floor. Also, an opening will have to be cut into the existing foundation to link that basement to the new one.
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Additional Costs
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Generally, houses more than 20 years old are more likely to have structural problems or other issues that will add expenses to an addition. Also, the home's systems, including plumbing, electrical and heating, must be inspected to determine what will be involved in upgrading them.
Money Savers
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Ways to save money on a home addition include acting as your own contractor and doing some of the work yourself. Other money savers: using off-the-shelf materials for flooring and fixtures, and avoiding using anything special order or custom-made. Carefully consider when to schedule your house addition construction. Off-peak times for construction projects, such as holidays or after the summer ends, may be best cost-wise. Also, be sure to get at least five estimates for a home addition project.
Warning
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Be sure to factor in hidden costs. Will your family have to live elsewhere during the construction? Be sure to include this housing cost into your addition budget. If the kitchen will be involved in the addition, be sure to factor in costs for eating out. After the project is completed, there will be additional costs, such as increased property taxes and utility costs.
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