Alpharetta Home Additions Done Right
If you’re an Alpharettan experiencing growing pains, an Alpharetta home addition might be the perfect solution. Perhaps your family has outgrown your current home, you're expecting a new addition to the family, or you need extra space for a home office or hobbies—whatever your reason for needing more space, the good news is that you don’t have to move.
Join us as we discuss planning and executing a seamless Alpharetta home addition. We'll guide you through the essential steps, help you navigate zoning regulations, provide insights on construction considerations, and share tips on budgeting for your project.
Planning Your Alpharetta Home Addition in 8 Stages
Long before you hear the sounds of construction beginning on your Alpharetta home addition, there is a lot of groundwork that needs to be done. It’s best to go through it in stages.
Clarify Your Alpharetta Home Addition Wants
It’s easy to get inspired by photos we see online, but a home addition project is not one to be taken lightly. Before you get carried away, think carefully about why you want this home addition and how it will fit into your life. Do you want to increase your home's value by making it bigger, or do you want to create a private space just for yourself? Clearly defining the size, layout, and materials is important when planning and designing your Alpharetta home addition.
Address the 5 Big Questions
Cover all your bases by answering the following questions.
What Will It Cost? Start by researching and getting a rough estimate for home additions in your area. A professional builder can assist you with this. They can also customize your estimate to your plans and create a clear budget.
Is It Worth the Cost—and Trouble? Use your rough cost estimate to weigh the potential benefits against the expenses of your Alpharetta home addition project. If your aim is to increase property value, carefully evaluate if a more expensive extension aligns with your home's overall worth. Consult with a local real estate agent to understand the impact on your property's value.
However, if your goal is to improve your family's quality of life, justifying project expenses becomes more personal. Many people find the investment worthwhile when planning for the long haul.
How will your Alpharetta home addition affect the rest of the house? Think about the changes to your current layout and flow, especially if adding a new floor requires building a staircase. The strategic placement of the staircase is important for maintaining a cohesive design.
Does your house have the space? Assess your existing home layout to determine if additions are even feasible. Consult with the zoning department to understand the setbacks in your area, a topic we'll discuss further on.
Is this the only way? Explore possible alternatives to building an Alpharetta home addition. Consider options such as optimizing your current layout by repurposing rooms and adjusting walls before committing to a new structure.
Understand the Kind of Alpharetta Home Addition You Want
When many of us think of a home addition, we often think in terms of adding a second floor. While this can increase the resale value of your home, a second-story build up is by far the most expensive type of addition you can do. We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. Plus, there’s no guarantee that your house is even able to support an additional floor. If you do go this route, make sure you consult a professional builder or architect.
However, there’s more than one type of Alpharetta home addition, and more than one way to get that extra space.
Basement Finishing. One of the simplest ways to gain the square footage you want is to turn your basement into extra space. It can be a basement apartment, a home office, or any number of possibilities.
Adding a Home Extension. Expand your home by adding a side, front, or back extension. Side and back extensions are common, but check if your district permits front extensions.
Converting Your Porch. Your porch represents another simple way to gain extra space. Enclose your front porch to create a sunroom. Furnish it with comfortable furniture, heating, and lighting to make it a living area.
Finishing the Attic. Think about that unused space at the top of your house, just waiting to be transformed into a livable space. Make sure at least half of the ceiling is seven feet high and add a stairway connecting it to the rest of the house.
Building Bump-Out Additions. Also known as cantilevers, bump-outs are supported by joists and internal structures. They create extra space for walk-in wardrobes, kitchen counters, dining areas, and separate master bathrooms and showers.
Visit the Local Zoning Department to Find Your Property Lines
Charting your property lines prior to commencing your Alpharetta home addition project is important for several reasons.
It helps you understand the available space for your use.
Local codes may have rules about how close structures can be to neighboring properties, and knowing your boundaries helps you follow these rules.
With this knowledge, you can create a plan for your house, landscaping, and utilities.
You can identify the boundaries of your property through your property deed, the survey you received when you bought your home, or by contacting your county assessor's office.
To ensure compliance with zoning regulations, consult the zoning department promptly. They can help determine the required permits for your home addition project. Understanding what is allowed and not allowed can prevent fines and ensure adherence to building standards in your municipality. Not obtaining permits can lead to complications, especially during the selling process. Sellers must disclose any unpermitted additions or renovations to potential buyers.
Know the legal parameters for construction by understanding zoning laws and building codes specific to your municipality. Typically, structures must maintain a setback of at least 20 feet from the front property line, 5-10 feet on both sides, and about 15 feet at the back. Also, consider maximum allowable house heights and the impact of nearby utility lines on construction locations.
It bears repeating how crucial it is that you connect with the zoning department before you begin work on your Alpharetta home addition to avoid potential legal woes down the road.
Work with Reliable Alpharetta Home Addition Contractors
Meet with local contractors to discuss project details, timelines, and cost-saving approaches. Contractors may recommend architects or structural engineers for project plans.
Choosing an experienced contractor can save time, money, and headaches. Clearly outline all expenses in the contract to avoid unexpected financial surprises.
Get the Permits
Remember the permits we talked about earlier? Make sure you have them. You can either get them yourself or have your contractor handle it. Contact your local municipality to find out which permits you need. If it's in the contract, your contractor can get the permits for you.
Consider Moving Out for Awhile
If you don't want the constant noise of power tools invading your space, think about temporarily moving until the construction is finished. If moving out isn't possible, establish specific start and stop times for the construction crew. This proactive step will help you plan your daily activities and prepare for potential disruptions.
Set aside Extra Funds
Expect additional costs during a home addition project, such as septic upgrades, permit fees, or higher property taxes due to increased square footage. Allocate 10 to 20% of your total projected expenses as a buffer to cover unexpected costs. While you may not need it, having this extra money can be extremely helpful if things don't go as planned.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when undertaking an Alpharetta home addition. It takes careful planning, thorough research, and a reliable team of professionals to ensure a successful and stress-free project. From determining your needs to obtaining necessary permits and from choosing the right contractor to managing your budget, following these steps will help you achieve your goal of creating a comfortable and functional space for your family.
Remember to think long-term and consider the potential return on investment when making design decisions. Don't forget about zoning regulations and building codes, as they could greatly impact your plans. Be sure to also communicate openly with your contractor and keep track of progress through regular check-ins.
At the end of the day, an Alpharetta home addition done right can provide you with endless benefits– increased living space, improved functionality, enhanced curb appeal, added value to your home, and most importantly, a better quality of life for you and your loved ones.
Size Matters
An Alpharetta home addition takes careful planning, thorough research, and a reliable team of professionals to ensure a successful and stress-free project. Remember to think long-term and consider the potential return on investment when making design decisions. Don't forget about zoning regulations and building codes, as they could greatly impact your plans. Be sure to also communicate openly with your contractor and keep track of progress through regular check-ins.
At the end of the day, an Alpharetta home addition done right can provide you with endless benefits—increased living space, improved functionality, enhanced curb appeal, added value to your home, and most importantly, a better quality of life for you and your loved ones.