Construction Challenges

There are a lot of reasons why homeowners choose to add on to their existing homes rather than go on the market for a new one.  If you are simply looking for some extra space, additions can provide what you need with far less disruption than a move.   And if you are particularly attached to your neighborhood, one where the pace of life seems to suit you perfectly, it’s a great idea that allows you to preserve the space you have already established. 

As with any project, building the addition yourself is an option to consider.  Doing it this way can allow you to set your own pace and perhaps accommodate a busy work schedule.  But on the same token, finding the time to actually do the work could prove difficult.  Most homeowners will choose to either manage the project while others do the work, or hand it all over to a general contractor with the experience to handle complicated issues as they arise.  In any case, knowing the scope of a project and what it entails will help you to choose wisely once you are ready to proceed.

To help you along the way, you should always first ask yourself the following: how is the addition going to affect my existing home? You need to consider, especially with older homes, that a new addition may bring to light certain inadequacies in your home that you weren’t aware of.  Existing aspects that were once acceptable to you, such as the roof, siding, and windows may seem worn and dated.  In addition, the essential systems of the house, such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC may need upgrades to accommodate your goals.  By taking all these factors into account you can make sure your project will meet your family’s present and future needs.

Basic Types of Home Additions in Los Angeles

Bump-Out  Additions
These are least disruptive and least expensive usually, but that does not mean they can’t have a dramatic impact.  They can be from just a few feet deep to the length of an entire wall, and while the square footage gain can be minimal, they can allow you to add features that were otherwise impossible to have.  In pushing out an existing kitchen wall, for example you could create a new seating alcove or nook that provides valuable family space.  And by adding a few extra feet of depth to your bath you could install a built-in jet tub that would have otherwise been too large for the room.  

To see if a plan like this is feasible for you, you will first need to check the setback requirements for your area (meaning the necessary footage between your home and your legal property line). Prepare to address this issue by having accurate dimensions of your plans and a measurement of the distance between your home and property line.

Two Story Addition
If you need more space than a single bump-out can provide, but have no desire to forgo the expense of excavating an entirely new foundation, your best solution might be to build on top of your current frame.  A lot of homeowners with little existing yard space are reluctant to give up more of their precious outside property area, and so choose to build another level.  This is also the case when tight property lines which are already pressed by setback requirements rule out lateral building-on altogether.  This choice is likely to cost less than adding on a wing to the home, but nonetheless, it will also give you the option to dramatically evolve the face of your home by introducing new architectural features bridging the old and new square footage together.

Building- On
By simply building-on to your existing home you can add anything from a new room to a new wing in your house from any direction on the property.  It’s also a great way utilize lateral space if you have too much yard area.  This type of remodeling is best utilized for a home office, studio, master suite, or guest room.  A good example of a less dramatic variant on this is the los angeles garage conversion we recently completed.   In effect, repurposing structures already on your property are good ways to also build-on to your current livable space with far less cost.

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