A Quick Guide to Planning a Second Storey Addition
If you feel like your home is tight for space, or maybe you have a new addition to the family that’s on the way, adding on a second storey to your home can be a great way to remain in the place you’ve grown to love, while avoiding that gruelling moving process. But there are a variety of factors involved during this process. The first is determining of course, whether it is, in fact, possible to add on an additional storey. So before you get your plans in motion, here is a quick guide to planning a second storey addition to your home.
Determine What’s Permitted
Before getting started, the first step is to consult the City of Ottawa to assess your property and determine if you can build that addition. Depending on legalities and proximity to neighbouring structures, there may be roadblocks involved. You need to determine whether you will be looking to build upward or outward, and which one is possible.
Consider the Cost
Although adding an addition on to your home can end up saving you a lot of time and aggravation from moving, it can also have the potential of being more costly than you anticipated. For example, if your home doesn’t have the proper, solid foundation that can support an addition to the home, you could end up having to dig deeper into your wallet to have your foundation reinforced.
Consider Additional Costs
Beyond the actual construction of a new addition, you must also take into account the other additional costs that will come along with it. This includes added furnishings for the space, flooring, fixtures, along with added energy usage. You may also need to update the mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical to account for the extra space. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of all the costs involved before moving ahead.
Know the Layout
It’s no good if you begin this type of project with no specific purpose in mind. If you’re just adding a second storey for the sake of expanding, then you should take some time to really play out what the purpose of that extension will be. If it’s going to be a room for the baby, an exercise space, or even a games room with some entertainment features, knowing what the space will be used for initially is important for creating the proper layout.
Deciding to add on a second storey to your home is a big decision, but when given the proper amount of thought and preparation, it can be a great investment and addition to your home. But before you jump into the process, it’s important to consider these factors first to ensure that it’s the best decision for you.
RenosGroup.ca can help you plan and execute your home addition project from start to finish. Get in touch, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 today to schedule your free in-home consultation.
