Investing in having an addition made to your home can be one of the most important investments that you make to your property. The installation of a new addition can provide you with far more interior space, and it can substantially boost the value of the house. Yet, this can be a complicated process that may intimidate some homeowners.
Vertical Or Horizontal Additions
During the process of planning for an addition to the house, you will have to decide whether the addition is going to be vertical or horizontal. Vertical additions can allow you to increase the size of your home while minimizing the impacts on your property. However, there are limits that will apply to these additions. In particular, the foundation of the home may have to be reinforced to be able to support the weight of the new floor. Additionally, any load-bearing components of the house will have to be strengthened to prevent them from potentially cracking under the strain of the new addition.
Review The Utilities That Will Be Necessary For The Addition
The utility needs of the new addition are another factor that should be reviewed when you are making this upgrade to the house. For example, the vast majority of additions will require electrical connections to be installed. However, water and sewer connections can also be commonly needed as many additions will have bathrooms or kitchens in them. HVAC connections are another consideration as you will need to ensure the interior of the addition is kept within a comfortable temperature range. A professional residential addition contractor will be able to assist you with evaluating these needs so that a design can be created that will meet all of these needs.
Review Your Homeowner's Insurance Coverage Concerning Addition Projects
In addition to the design and construction factors that will have to be managed during a residential addition project, it is also important to review the rules of your insurance concerning this addition. An example of this could be stipulations that the standard homeowner's insurance coverage could be suspended during the course of major construction to the house. During these times, the homeowner may need to purchase temporary coverage that is designed for the particular liabilities that can be created when a property is undergoing major construction work. Furthermore, these policies may mandate third-party inspections to ensure the quality of the contractor's work once the addition has been completed. Luckily, your insurance agent will be able to easily walk you through the steps to ensure that you remain covered for the duration of this project.
For more information on residential additons, contact a local contractor.