OVERVIEW

Room additions are very much like new construction. The work is considered remodeling, and there are remodeling skills needed, but room additions involve many of the same elements that new construction does. When a room addition is built, it connects to an existing structure. Existing plumbing, heating, and electrical systems are often tapped into for the new addition. There are, of course, times when an addition has new systems due to existing systems being either inaccessible or inadequate.

Much is involved in the planning and creation of a room addition, and the process starts long before construction. If you have experience as a home-builder, it will serve you well when working with additions. There are plenty of remodeling contractors who never build a room addition. It is not uncommon for remodelers to concentrate all of their efforts inside of existing structures. Other remodelers concentrate on additions as their specialty. There is a lot of money to be made on building additions.

Contractors who work with additions must deal with issues that interior remodelers do not. For example, you will have to check zoning laws to confirm that an addition can be added legally. You will have to confirm the location of the water service and sewer that serves the building. Soil conditions are another factor, since a foundation will be needed. It is truly a from-the-ground-up operation.

SITE VISIT

You will have to conduct a site visit to evaluate the feasibility of adding a room addition to a home.