Home extensions necessitate clear communication, planning, and careful execution. Even if you intend to work alone for most of the project, you must communicate with others and submit designs to building code inspectors. Meanwhile, if you also hire expert designers or constructors, you should properly convey your ideas so that they can carry out your strategy.

Any home extension project requires you to procure a building permit and obtain quotes from contractors and material suppliers. Through professional guidance and determination, you can proceed with your home improvement project. Here are the steps you need to prepare for a home extension:

Step One: Hire an Architect

When you hire an architect, they will be able to skillfully assess your project’s scope. You can start by presenting a mock-up with the help of computer-aided design (CAD) software. While CAD software programs are prohibitively expensive and difficult to use, you may need the guidance of a professional architect to navigate your way around the program. With an architect’s help, CAD systems can expedite the beginning stages for you.

Step Two: Sketch Out the Floor Plan

Drawing the plans by hand with inexpensive materials does not necessitate any creative ability. For this step, you will need supplies such as an 18×24 inch grid paper, pencils, erasers, drafting tape, T-square, adjustable triangle, and an architect’s ruler. Note that floor plans are typically created at a scale of 1/4 inch = 1. Once you are done, your floor plan can serve as the sample when applying for a construction permit application. 

Step Three: Assess the Property Size

Determine the size and boundaries of your land before you begin constructing your home addition or extension. Here, you can depict nearby streams or lakes, existing structures, streets, current subsurface plumbing lines, new lines, and wells. As you further recognize the site’s dimensions, you can also see possible setbacks and indicate the proposed addition’s length concerning the property lines.

After the initial property assessment, the floor plan can be finalized (with internal room plans, electrical and plumbing, etc.). Pre-construction, a finalized floor plan can help architects and contractors create blueprints, help you visualize the project, and clearly communicate with builders, suppliers, and building officials.

Step Four: Experiment with Ideas

After, you can experiment with different floor ideas by scaling templates of everything from the refrigerator to the barstools. This way, you can see if a room is overly crowded or that there isn’t enough natural traffic movement. 

Step Five: Double-Check and Strategize

This step allows you to repair any design flaws, whether you make floor plans by hand or on a computer. Remember to be patient and follow any adjustments advised by the architect or designer. Keeping an updated strategy can make the process operate more smoothly and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Step Six: Finalize the Blueprint

Blueprints are comprehensive drawings created by architects who show the builder how to construct the two-dimensional addition. Here, the elevations, foundations, electrical layouts, plumbing, and mechanical systems are all included. Elevations represent the front, back, and sides of the addition. Furthermore, a blueprint is also accompanied by materials specification documents, which outline the construction materials and finishing features such as flooring and lighting. 

Conclusion

Perhaps you can’t just do everything on your own. From the initial steps to the end stages, remember to always be guided and make it a point to raise concerns to professionals. Thankfully, you don’t have to work on it completely by yourself. You may also include the building codes department, contractors, and designers in the conversation.

For home renovation services in Houston, Incredible Homes can give you a quality remodel in a short period of time! When you are ready to embark on a home extension, give us a call so we can schedule your complimentary design consultation with our design professionals. Don’t hesitate to design and build your dream home with us today!