The homeowner's guide to additions: Building up, out and smart
By Ashley Wainscott
In a rapidly growing city like Austin, home additions are becoming more common than ever. When we find a home that meets most of our needs, it’s hard to part with it – especially when the only real issue is space. An addition is a great way to gain the extra square footage you need – think of it as building a small home from the ground up.
If you’ve been going back and forth on this decision, you’re not alone. Whether it’s your neighborhood, school district or proximity to work and friends, there are various ways you can stay put with some remodeling and feel good about your decision.
Step 1: Understanding What an Addition Entails
A home addition is more than just adding square footage. It’s a full-scale construction project that, in most cases, means temporarily moving out of your home. Some minor additions allow homeowners to stay put; however, these cases are rare.
Logistics to consider:
- Where will you live? Options include staying with family, securing a short-term rental with a leasing company or even an Airbnb.
Pro Tip: Choose a rental that is around your usual route – your gym, your child’s daycare, your workplace – to minimize disruption. - How long will it take? On average, you’ll be out of your home for six to eight months. Always prepare for the worst case scenario in regards to timeline.
- Packing and moving: You’ll need to clear out the space that is being renovated, which means storage, movers. (Packing tends to show most homeowners that they may own a little more than they realize). Silver lining: This is a great opportunity to declutter!
- Important: Do not move out of your home until your contractor has permits in hand and is ready to start construction. This is a common mistake made by
- people who are new to renovations – but you’re prepared!
Step 2: Setting a Realistic Budget
Many homeowners underestimate the full financial scope of a home addition. Your “all-in” budget should include:
- Architectural and interior design fees
- Construction costs
- Materials (which add up quickly – those sneaky little details!)
- Temporary housing and storage expenses
- A contingency fund for unexpected surprises (because there will be some)
Pro Tip: Set aside an additional 15% contingency for the unknowns. Even with the best pre-construction planning, once walls start coming down, surprises are very likely to show up in the form of dangerous electrical wiring, termites, tree roots, water damage, etc.
Step 3: Designing with Intention
Before hiring professionals, take the time to map out what you truly want from your new space. What’s your goal? More room for a growing family? A better flow for entertaining? A dedicated office space?
Consider the aesthetics as well – how will your addition blend with your existing home? Flooring, lighting and exterior materials should be chosen with continuity in mind.
Pro Tip: Create a Pinterest board or collect inspiration images before meeting with architects and designers. This will help them bring your vision to life while keeping the process efficient.
Step 4: The Process – What Happens First?
The journey from idea to reality follows a structured path:
- Feasibility Study: The first step is hiring an architect to determine if your addition is even possible. Zoning laws, lot size and heritage trees can all impact what you can and can’t do.
- Hiring a General Contractor: Bring in a contractor early in the planning process to ensure your vision aligns with your budget. Many offer complimentary ballpark pricing, saving you from designing something outside of your price range.
Pro Tip: A contractor involved from the start can prevent costly redesigns later. - Finalizing Plans & Securing Permits: Once feasibility is confirmed and designs are in place, your team will submit plans for approval.
- Breaking Ground: From laying the foundation to framing, electrical, plumbing and finishes, the addition is essentially a small home being built from the ground up.
Step 5: Making It All Work Together
A home addition isn’t just about extra space – it’s about seamless integration. Most additions require updates to existing areas so that the new and old flow together. This could mean matching flooring, repainting, updating lighting or even reconfiguring layouts.
The goal? To create a space that feels like it was always part of your home, not an afterthought.
An addition is a major investment – one that requires careful planning, budgeting and patience. But with the right team, a clear vision and realistic expectations, it can transform your home into exactly what you need it to be.
If you’re at that “Y in the road,” take the time to explore your options, gather inspiration and prepare for the journey ahead. A well-planned addition can give you the best of both worlds – staying in the home and neighborhood you love while making it fit into your evolving lifestyle.
