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Home Renovation ChecklistBefore you begin the work to decide if an addition is right for your property, the first step is to determine your ‘why.’ Why do you think you need an addition outside of the current footprint? Is an addition the best solution to solve your problem? It’s important to work with a builder who will help you determine if an addition is the best route for you and your property as there may be other ways to gain more room using the existing footprint.
As you begin dreaming up a home renovation project, it is important to first know how much money you are willing to invest in your project. The budget often dictates which addition route to go: up, down, or out. While adding a basement may seem appealing, it likely means jacking up the house and digging out the new space. It might be more cost-effective to build a space in the backyard or expand the attic. Generally, adding onto a house at ground level is the least expensive option. Adding a second story, or digging out a basement tends to be more expensive because the city of Seattle requires renovated homes to be completely updated to code. Suddenly, the renovation would also include paying for the cost of the addition, and the cost of bringing the rest of your home up to code. This can get expensive. If you are adding onto the existing house at ground level, you don’t always have to bring the whole house up to current code like you would with adding a second story, or basement.
Pro: The biggest pro of this addition style is that you don’t lose any valuable yard space.
Con: You may have to update the rest of your house to support the new second or third story. You also have to give some space up in the existing home to make room for a staircase connecting the main floor to the new level.
Pro: Basements aren’t calculated in the floor area ratio calculation (FAR) which means it will essentially be ‘free square footage.’ If you have already maxed out the FAR calculation, then you can still build down because square footage below grade isn’t factored into lot coverage regulations.
Con: This is often the most expensive route to an addition because it includes jacking up the house, digging out space in tight quarters, and pouring a new foundation in some situations.
Pro: This is typically the least expensive and ‘easiest’ addition to do of the three options.
Con: Building out can take away from yard space and can also include more constraints caused by setbacks and lot coverage requirements.
The lot topography will significantly impact what style of addition is even possible on your specific property. Some lot styles are more challenging than others:
So, how do you get started? Choosing the right building team who will advise you on the best route to take based on your budget, topography, lot size, and shape is the first step. The best solution for your budget and needs should be obvious to a high-quality building team who has experience.
Learn how you can begin planning the perfect home addition project by downloading the eBook, "The Homeowner’s Guide to Planning a Remarkable Renovation."
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