How to plan for a home addition in St. Louis

St. Louis Home Additions

A home addition in St Louis can benefit you and your family tremendously. A house extension provides more space, opens up a room, and increases your home’s value. The added space also decreases stress and makes you feel less claustrophobic about your living conditions.
However, in order to succeed, a home addition requires careful planning and professional approval. As you start the process, we recommend you take the following steps.

Step 1: Categorize the Addition

When you first decide on a home addition, you need to decide how and where you want to extend your home. You can move upwards or sideways. You can create a new room, a garage, a deck, or extend an existing room. Your options are nearly endless, so before you move forward, make sure you know exactly what you want.

Step 2: Make a Wish List

Next, make a list of all the features you want your extension to have. If you think you can afford it, add a few splurges in the mix. A fireplace or an entertainment room can make a difference in the enjoyment you get from your extension.
Don’t just list these features mentally-write down your wish list and keep it on hand as you consult with professionals. This will facilitate the design process and ensure you don’t miss a single detail once you start construction.

Step 3: Determine Your Budget and Prioritize

Before you make a final decision on your extension, determine your budget. Extensions can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and your contractor. If you find that certain features could cost too much, you may wish to strike them from your budget in favor of more affordable pieces. Your designer can also help you find more affordable models of the features you want.
If necessary, you can apply for a home improvement loan. Consider your financial assets such as home equity and your credit rating. Positive credit scores or financial history can decrease your loan’s overall costs.

Step 4: Research

Whatever your choice of home addition, chances are someone has made a similar extension before. As you design your own addition, research other plans. You can find a lot of these online, or through local contractors with experience in home additions.
Selecting a previously designed plan will save you time. While you will still need city approval, your plan’s successful history can increase your chances of approval.

Step 5: Design Your Addition

By this time, you should have an idea of what you want in your addition and how much it will cost. The next step is to finalize the design. You can choose to design the extension yourself, but a design professional can streamline the process and help you get the most out of your addition.
Remember that even if you design the addition yourself, you will need a professional to review and approve your work before the city will give you a permit for construction.

Step 6: Obtain Permits

The St. Louis area requires a permit for any kind of construction, extension, or major alteration to a building. The building permit certifies that your design is structurally sound and won’t present a danger to other people or to existing buildings.
You can obtain a permit through your county public works office. Your addition will require approval for the following aspects:

• Site plan
• Floor plan
• Heat gain/loss
• Structural considerations
• Electrical/plumbing plans

An architect or engineer must approve all plans for you to obtain a permit. So don’t forget to consult with a licensed expert before you seek local government approval.

Step 7: Hire Professionals

If you know a lot about construction, you may desire to make the extension yourself. However, 1-2 people working on an addition will take a long time, even if the extension seems small. If you want to accelerate the process and ensure a professional job, hire a contractor to produce the finished product.
When you follow these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting an addition you and your family will enjoy for years to come. Get in touch with a professional today to make your dreams of the perfect home addition a reality.