Any Tips For Doing A House Addition?

[Dockmaster]

I'm in the feasibility process for doing an addition on my main house. Anyone done an addition and have some do/don't tips to share? I'm using a very reputable contractor that we have done several projects with previously. The house is a 2 story daylight basement style. We are adding on to improve the kitchen and laundry room as our primary goal. They are on the top floor so will be adding to bottom floor as well to support them. Current plan adds 291 sq ft to each floor so just under 600 sq ft total. This will more than double kitchen and laundry area.

When we bought the house 5 years ago we figured we needed to do this. Up until recently we thought we might not stay here much longer but now that's changing so we want to fix the kitchen and laundry. We're not doing this thinking we will make $$ or anything crazy like that. Simply trying to improve the liveability to suit our lifestyle. Been looking around for almost two years and no way I can sell and buy something else for anywhere near what I'll have into this property so this seems like a no brainer. Given the kitchen and laundry rooms are some of the more expensive spaces in the house, we're looking at around $700 - $800 per/sq ft  depending on what all we choose. 

 

[Mac]

I'm in the feasibility process for doing an addition on my main house. Anyone done an addition and have some do/don't tips to share? I'm using a very reputable contractor that we have done several projects with previously. The house is a 2 story daylight basement style. We are adding on to improve the kitchen and laundry room as our primary goal. They are on the top floor so will be adding to bottom floor as well to support them. Current plan adds 291 sq ft to each floor so just under 600 sq ft total. This will more than double kitchen and laundry area.

When we bought the house 5 years ago we figured we needed to do this. Up until recently we thought we might not stay here much longer but now that's changing so we want to fix the kitchen and laundry. We're not doing this thinking we will make $$ or anything crazy like that. Simply trying to improve the liveability to suit our lifestyle. Been looking around for almost two years and no way I can sell and buy something else for anywhere near what I'll have into this property so this seems like a no brainer. Given the kitchen and laundry rooms are some of the more expensive spaces in the house, we're looking at around $700 - $800 per/sq ft  depending on what all we choose. 

Lots of electrical outlets, lighting, lots of cabinet space, and check the ergonomics.  I cook so having good kitchen ergonomics is huge.  Look at counter space, where you might put things (appliances), where you will prep, cook, serve.  Look at outlet placement for where you will use electrical devices (mixers, appliances, etc...)  I have a coffee bar.  It's awesome.  Nothing big but nice to have it.  It also has some junk drawers and such that removes that stuff from the kitchen.  I wish I had more room to have a full beverage bar there as well.  BIG, one compartment sink with the ability to put an in counter soap dispenser, filters water faucet, etc.  If you cook for a lot of people, a 6 burner stove top and water faucet for filling up pots to boil are also very nice to have.  

Look at how you will move about from counter space to stove, to oven, to fridge, to sink...Look at the movements, how space gets cut off when you open the fridge, oven, etc...  Look at where you want lighting.  More is better so long as you can layer it as needed but switches and not have everything on with one switch.  Lastly....look at how people will come in and hangout in the kitchen.  This drives me insane.  Everyone wants to come in the kitchen when you're cooking...GTFO!  I now have a big open kitchen and island with a seating bar area.  People can sit at the bar and not have to hang out in the kitchen, but can still hang out and talk.

When picking out counter tops, tile, backsplash, etc...think about how easy it will clean up.  Grout gets nasty.  Flat and solid pieces work best to clean.  Think about this for cabinet doors fronts too.  Fancy doors are a pain to clean and get stuff stuck in the grooves.  Try and limit cabinets over the stove top as those always get greasy.  Maybe think of a big hood that's easy to clean and has good lighting.  I have big pots and pan drawers right under my stove top.  They're awesome.  No more pot and pans in stored in the oven.   I also have a big flat drawer under my oven for cookie sheets and baking pans.

Laundry area, big door openings for moving and replacing washer/dryers as needed.  Shelves, hang bar, folding table, cabinets.  If you have pets, maybe an area for litter box, feeding area dog door, etc...Again, outlets.

 

[zilla68]

Lots of electrical outlets, lighting, lots of cabinet space, and check the ergonomics.  I cook so having good kitchen ergonomics is huge.  Look at counter space, where you might put things (appliances), where you will prep, cook, serve.  Look at outlet placement for where you will use electrical devices (mixers, appliances, etc...)  I have a coffee bar.  It's awesome.  Nothing big but nice to have it.  It also has some junk drawers and such that removes that stuff from the kitchen.  I wish I had more room to have a full beverage bar there as well.  BIG, one compartment sink with the ability to put an in counter soap dispenser, filters water faucet, etc.  If you cook for a lot of people, a 6 burner stove top and water faucet for filling up pots to boil are also very nice to have.  

Look at how you will move about from counter space to stove, to oven, to fridge, to sink...Look at the movements, how space gets cut off when you open the fridge, oven, etc...  Look at where you want lighting.  More is better so long as you can layer it as needed but switches and not have everything on with one switch.  Lastly....look at how people will come in and hangout in the kitchen.  This drives me insane.  Everyone wants to come in the kitchen when you're cooking...GTFO!  I now have a big open kitchen and island with a seating bar area.  People can sit at the bar and not have to hang out in the kitchen, but can still hang out and talk.

When picking out counter tops, tile, backsplash, etc...think about how easy it will clean up.  Grout gets nasty.  Flat and solid pieces work best to clean.  Think about this for cabinet doors fronts too.  Fancy doors are a pain to clean and get stuff stuck in the grooves.  Try and limit cabinets over the stove top as those always get greasy.  Maybe think of a big hood that's easy to clean and has good lighting.  I have big pots and pan drawers right under my stove top.  They're awesome.  No more pot and pans in stored in the oven.   I also have a big flat drawer under my oven for cookie sheets and baking pans.

Laundry area, big door openings for moving and replacing washer/dryers as needed.  Shelves, hang bar, folding table, cabinets.  If you have pets, maybe an area for litter box, feeding area dog door, etc...Again, outlets.

every damn laundry room i've seen is never big enough once you get the washer and dryer in there lol.

a friend is a builder and their house has a washer and dryer in the laundry room which has a drop from upstairs so the kids throw their laundry down the chute and it lands in the laundry room cabinet. then in their master closet there's another one just for them. its crazy but she said with 4 kids you can't keep up any other way lol.

 

[Fireballsocal]

Get everything in the contract.

 

[Dockmaster]

every damn laundry room i've seen is never big enough once you get the washer and dryer in there lol.

a friend is a builder and their house has a washer and dryer in the laundry room which has a drop from upstairs so the kids throw their laundry down the chute and it lands in the laundry room cabinet. then in their master closet there's another one just for them. its crazy but she said with 4 kids you can't keep up any other way lol.

Our last house had two laundry rooms. One upstairs and one downstairs near kids rooms. And the room upstairs was huge. We downsized 5 years ago when we moved to current house. For most of the areas, the downsizing was good. But, we really miss the big kitchen and laundry room. That’s why we’re expanding. Kids are on their own now so just wife and I so one decent size laundry room will be fine. Our current laundry “room” is really just a wide hallway between the kitchen and door to garage. If door is open on washer or dryer you can’t get by to the garage/kitchen. 

 

[Spize909]

sounds like you have it figured out.......just make sure all the plumbing (waste lines) that you need are close and you should be good. 

 

[KLC]

I've nothing to add except a gripe about permits. Why does it take so damned long for a permit?? Seems like it could get done in a few days but often times takes weeks/months. 

 

[BaBaBouy]

every damn laundry room i've seen is never big enough once you get the washer and dryer in there lol.

a friend is a builder and their house has a washer and dryer in the laundry room which has a drop from upstairs so the kids throw their laundry down the chute and it lands in the laundry room cabinet. then in their master closet there's another one just for them. its crazy but she said with 4 kids you can't keep up any other way lol.

Mrs. Bouy says our laundry room is plenty big, I’ll have to take her word as I’ve never seen it.

Piece.

 

[Poule43]

Best thing we ever did when remodeling was to install a temporary sink / kitchen set up in backyard. Saves you from going out to eat  / spending all sorts of $$$ and eating ununhealthy

A simple EZ up Tent couple rubber maid tables / microwave / Old stove hooked up to a propane tank ($5 fitting ) a temp sink on a piece of plywood hooked up to hose with a bucket underneath. Backyard BBQ -  Takes less than 30 min to set up BUT saves your sanity while living in a remodel situation

oule:

 

[BaBaBouy]

Spend a little time figuring out where you’ll be placing building materials, the contractor’s work area and possible tool storage area and make the job as hassle free for him / her / they / them / it as possible.

Having a room addition done is like having roommates, make coexisting with the workers as easy as possible. The more tools you can get them to leave of your property the more your job will be prioritized if they’re working on multiple projects.

Don’t be afraid to bust out Pizza or sandwiches every now and then and hang out with the workers on a tailgate, you’d be amazed at how motivating it is when a job becomes personalized. I worked for a general contractor doing room additions for a couple of years, we always did “just a bit better / more” for folks that did the little things like having their shiz out of our way when we showed up to work.

 

[Dockmaster]

Best thing we ever did when remodeling was to install a temporary sink / kitchen set up in backyard. Saves you from going out to eat  / spending all sorts of $$$ and eating ununhealthy

A simple EZ up Tent couple rubber maid tables / microwave / Old stove hooked up to a propane tank ($5 fitting ) a temp sink on a piece of plywood hooked up to hose with a bucket underneath. Backyard BBQ -  Takes less than 30 min to set up BUT saves your sanity while living in a remodel situation

oule:

Great input! Wife and I talked about this last night. We plan to use the BBQ and outdoor sink we already have. Also, will put the Motorhome on the driveway and use the kitchen in it. At least that's our thinking at this point.

 

[Dockmaster]

Spend a little time figuring out where you’ll be placing building materials, the contractor’s work area and possible tool storage area and make the job as hassle free for him / her / they / them / it as possible.

Having a room addition done is like having roommates, make coexisting with the workers as easy as possible. The more tools you can get them to leave of your property the more your job will be prioritized if they’re working on multiple projects.

Don’t be afraid to bust out Pizza or sandwiches every now and then and hang out with the workers on a tailgate, you’d be amazed at how motivating it is when a job becomes personalized. I worked for a general contractor doing room additions for a couple of years, we always did “just a bit better / more” for folks that did the little things like having their shiz out of our way when we showed up to work.

Really good points about materials and tools. Fortunately we have two acres and lots of room for stuff. Love the tips on pizza and being prepared for the contractor to be able to do their work! 

 

[Poule43]

Great input! Wife and I talked about this last night. We plan to use the BBQ and outdoor sink we already have. Also, will put the Motorhome on the driveway and use the kitchen in it. At least that's our thinking at this point.

YUP / Having a dedicated space to cook and eat at home is EVERYTHING ....otherwise it sucks. We did it for 3 months with young kids because I did the work myself while still working wit a contractor buddy helping and it saved us. It made a tough situation very fun for the kids. We basicly had our kitchen outside in the backyard. (this was when it didnt rain everyday in San Diego Like it does now :lol:  ) great memories

oule: