Many people would rather build an addition to their home than buy a new one. You don’t have to move, and you get more space in your home. Sometimes they add a remodel to that for a refresh on their space.
Hiring a designer or architect will greatly enhance the end product. Make sure they are qualified to do remodels or additions (if a designer) and let them know specifically what you have in mind how to use the space. This way they can use their expertise to best help you – they can design something you would not have thought of, otherwise – and it may turn out way better than you originally planned. Also, the choice of materials they use will be different, because they are in the trade and have access to different quality finishes and building materials.
So how long does it to add on to your house in Lexington Park? Good question. Unfortunately, it covers a broad array of items.
The longest additions/remodels are kitchens, hands down. They have the most moving parts (so to speak). Finishes, plumbing, electrical, cabinets, appliances, flooring, tiles, backsplash (if not tiles, whatever else it is), molding, paint, fixtures, lighting, countertops, island, range hood, pantry, and on and on…
Bathrooms are similar, but if the bathrooms are simple, it can be pretty quick. Plumbing is the only thing that may take time and possibly may have issues with installation.
But let’s say you are doing a bedroom (or bonus room) addition. This is one of the most common and it doesn’t have plumbing, just electrical. Okay. It can take less than a month if everything goes right and all the contractors show up and you don’t get rained out. Or it can take longer if materials aren’t in and contractors get sick or called away or any number of things.
Here is a timeline: (if all goes well)
If you are just adding a couple of hundred square feet either slab on flat grade or over a crawl space…
Foundation – will take a few days
Walls – conventionally framed will go up in one day together with roof deck (which should be felted before dark that day)
Exterior – Structure should be sheathed and Tyvek applied next morning and exterior siding (not stone or brick or another masonry which would take longer) should be done the next day
Roof – on an addition should be done the next day.
Interior – if no extensive plumbing or wiring, you could be hanging drywall a week after you started. Keep in mind, if this is a bathroom or kitchen addition, then this will not be the case. After drywall comes molding and baseboards then painting. Also any other finishes (such as cabinetry, lighting, outlets, built-ins or other items that need to be included.)
You would have to have all your subcontractors lined up and ready to go to make sure this happened – and this is supposing that you were not adding a bathroom or kitchen.
This timeline shows that it would actually take longer to do the interior than the exterior.
Other Questions
What type of addition are you planning?
How is it to be connected?
Will it contain plumbing?
Will it contain unique architectural features?
How large is the addition?
Having said all those things, other issues will affect the timeline greatly. For example, weather and time of year will play a factor in your construction. In Southern Maryland, it rains a lot – so construction in springtime can take longer than building in summer when it is drier. Keep in mind our climate will play a part in any construction project that is started.
How many are on the crew? That can have an effect on how quickly your addition is completed as well. It will go faster the more people you have working. It will also be more expensive. This is a matter for you to decide if speed is more important than saving money.
The longer you spend planning and gathering materials and the more prepared you are, hopefully, the faster the construction phase will be. Everything depends on what type of addition you have planned, of course, and how extensive this project is.
If you are planning a kitchen addition, then your time will be longer and the money spent will be more – but you will have more room in your home because the current kitchen can be made into something else. Possibly use the current plumbing for an additional bathroom, saving money that way and building equity.
Home Advisor gives a 3-4 month average for putting an addition to a home. This is after the planning, permits, and designing has been done. This is a good ballpark and will give you a good idea of how long till you have that wonderful space you long for.
There are many things that you can do to improve where you live, remodel, add on, or even a simple renovation. Whatever you do to improve your home will hopefully give you a feeling of accomplishment when you are done.
Talk To Your Contractor
Know upfront that delays are common in construction and developing a positive attitude will be better for you to deal with the stress of having your home worked on for an extended amount of time. Develop a good working relationship with your contractor and have open communication with them so you have realistic expectations of your project.
Check our next blog post about What Should A Home Addition Contractor In Southern Maryland Cost Me?