Adding an extension to your home can be a significant benefit. You can experience an upturn in value, enhance your home’s curb appeal and set your property up for your future. However, planning out a home addition isn’t a simple process. A home addition requires time, patience and flexibility.
7-Step Process For Home Additions in Calgary
Identify Key Objectives for the Home Addition
Ask yourself what the home addition should achieve and which problems it should solve. Set a concrete plan early, so you know why you are investing in the home addition. Do you want bedrooms, bathrooms or both? Or do you want a room for entertainment? Your first step is deciding what you want from the project.
Crunch the Numbers to Set Your Budget
Crunch the numbers to decide whether the home addition fits your budget. Homeowners commonly underestimate remodelling costs, so add 20% on top of the budget to cover extra expenses.
Decide Between Building Out and Building Up
A home addition offers two options: building out or building up. Your choice determines the impact, timeline and complexity of the project. Building out is a sensible strategy that requires less work and effort than building up. However, adding another storey preserves outdoor living space and adds value to your home. Plan what you want and how you want it done.
Get City of Calgary Approval for the Addition
Remember that any addition to your home requires approval from the City of Calgary. Your project must fit the legal restrictions and building codes that govern what the property can hold. Specific constraints include height restrictions, building area ratios, design covenants, and historic-district preservation ordinances. Make sure you meet all the regulations, or the city will deny the application. If you need assistance with this process, speak to a professional.
Hire Professional Renovators
Home additions and custom home builds in Calgary are not DIY projects. You need professionals who can handle the job. What do you look for in a renovation company in Calgary? Here are a few key things:
- Experience in the industry
- A history of successful projects
- Quality in value, products and workmanship
- Experience in kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations and basement developments in Calgary
- Additional services, such as an in-house designer who assists with design consultations, construction drawings and project management
Take your time to research a renovation company that suits your needs, or sign up with Ultimate Renovations now.
Review the Design With Your Renovators and Designers
Show the renovators your plans and what you want. The renovators inspect the plans, analyze your home and determine whether the plans are safe and possible. If not, the renovators suggest changes that fit your project and your budget. They organize the plan so that it fits your lifestyle and steers you past the pitfalls of poor planning. The renovators then give you a quote for the project.
Analyze the Final Drawing and Recheck the Budget
Once you are satisfied with the design, take another tough look at the numbers. Consider the renovators’ fees and the long-term cost of renovations in Calgary. If the numbers look wrong, cut something from your plan or ask the renovators for help. If the numbers look manageable, put your plan into action.
Ultimate Renovations is Calgary’s only 12-time “Renovator of the Year.” The company’s mission is to bring your home to life. Since 1979, the renovation team has served as the industry’s elite contractors for complete home renovations in Calgary. Quality craftsmanship, superior customer service and the ability to exceed expectations make the team the renovator of choice for homeowners. Contact the team at (403)-287-3122.