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Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Planning an Addition

Additions let homeowners make their homes more functional for their growing families or changing needs. There are plenty of mistakes homeowners can make when planning an addition if they don’t have experienced architectural designers to rely on.

Common mistakes homeowners make when planning additions include setting an unrealistic budget, not leaving room in the budget for contingencies, ignoring zoning rules, failing to update utility systems to account for the added square footage, and mismatched interiors and exteriors that make it obvious that part of your home is a recent addition and not part of the original footprint.

Call Phase One at (803) 404-7168 to start designing an addition with our architectural designers.

What Are Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Planning Additions?

It’s easy to make mistakes when planning an addition to your current house if you don’t have the help of our skilled architectural designers. Design mistakes can lead to budget overruns down the line, which Phase One can work hard to prevent.

Setting Unrealistic Budgets

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when planning additions is setting unrealistic budgets.

It can be hard to know exactly how far your money will go without help from professionals experienced in the industry and familiar with residential construction. We will be honest if your budget is unrealistic for your goals for the addition. If it is, we can also offer creative alternatives that cost less but produce virtually the same effect.

No Room in the Budget for Contingencies

In most construction projects, unexpected costs arise at some point. This is true even for small additions to existing homes. Leaving about 10-20% of your budget untouched gives you some cushion if you need to spend on unexpected costs during construction.

Ignoring Zoning and Permitting Rules

Homeowners planning additions must comply with all local zoning and permitting rules. Otherwise, any plans you submit for permitting approval might be rejected by the local zoning board. Mandatory distances between homes and property lines, as well as other rules, might restrict you when planning your addition, and we can keep that in mind during the design phase. Only permit-compliant plans can be carried out.

Failing to Upgrade Utility Systems

When adding extra square footage to a house, you may also have to upgrade the utilities. If you don’t, there could be poor air flow, ventilation, electrical access, HVAC, or plumbing in the new addition. Upgrading to energy-efficient systems and fixtures for the entire house may keep costs relatively similar to what they were before the addition, despite the extra square footage.

Mismatched Exteriors

Additions shouldn’t be obvious from street view. Homeowners who don’t take the time to match the addition’s siding, roofing, trim, and other exterior materials to the original house might be making a big mistake they end up regretting.

We can design an addition that looks seamless from the outside, so you don’t make this common mistake.

Mismatched Interiors

The interior of the addition should be cohesive with the rest of the house. Completely mismatched design styles can be disorienting and make an addition appear far more obvious than it should.

The addition can still be a unique, specific space, but it shouldn’t look like it came from a completely different house altogether.

No Help from Architectural Designers

To some homeowners, an addition doesn’t seem like major residential construction that requires an architectural designer’s help. In reality, any time you are making structural changes of any kind, you should rely on experienced professionals to make accurate measurements and calculations, abide by local zoning laws, and plan an addition that’s within your budget.

What Should Homeowners Keep in Mind When Planning an Addition?

Phase One can help you keep the most important factors in mind when planning an addition, so you don’t make design decisions you’ll regret. We can help you keep a favorable return on investment (ROI) top of mind when presenting all our suggestions during the planning stage.

When adding an addition, prioritize adding multi-purpose spaces that can serve different purposes and are not overly customized. This can improve ROI, which you can discuss in greater detail with a local real estate agent for an expert opinion.

FAQs Homeowners Have About Planning Additions

When Should You Plan an Addition?

An addition is a great solution for expanding families and homeowners who love their current homes but could use some extra square footage. An addition is also less expensive and less time-consuming than doing a full renovation or planning a custom build.

How Much Time Does Planning an Addition Take?

Planning an addition, even a relatively small one, can take 2 months or more. Rushing into decisions can lead to regret, so take your time planning every detail of the addition with Phase One.

Do You Need Building Permits for an Addition?

To carry out our plans for an addition, you must obtain building permits. While that’s your contractor’s job, they can only obtain the approvals they need by submitting our permit-ready blueprints.

How Much Value Can You Add to Your Home with an Addition?

You can certainly add value to your home with an addition, especially if you create a space that anyone can use, like an attached garage, an additional bedroom, or an additional bathroom. Ultra-custom spaces that don’t serve multiple purposes may not add the same value.

When is Planning an Addition Not Worth It?

If your property isn’t large enough to accommodate the addition you’ve envisioned, local zoning rules limit your options, or there are too many structural issues to contend with, an addition might not be worth it. Instead, consider designing a new house from scratch and customizing it for your family.