How To Assess The Feasibility Of A Planned Home Addition
People planning home additions need to assess the feasibility of the project before getting started. Regulatory hurdles are common, especially when it comes to local zoning laws and building codes. Likewise, you'll need to assess whether a proposed plan is structurally feasible. Here is how to assess these challenges when preparing plans for house additions.
Regulatory Issues
Foremost, you'll need to determine if your plan is compatible with local zoning and building rules. If the expansion is going to push toward the property line, for example, you need to know how far from the line to stop. Many municipalities have rules prohibiting structures from being built too close to the property line. Failure to comply could lead to the neighbor or the city suing, and a judge may order you to tear down the offending portion of the structure.
Second, there are often grandfathering statutes for older buildings. If your house isn't compliant with building codes, any home additions may force you to comply even if the building was grandfathered. Generally, grandfathering is only applicable if you don't modify the house significantly.
Third, many municipalities have rules requiring additions to contain certain features. Electrification is a common requirement. You may need to run more utilities to the addition than you thought necessary.
Finally, you need to know the permitting rules. Many cities only require permits if the home additions will change the building's footprint. There are sometimes ways to work around these rules a bit by using a concrete slab from a patio or garage as the base. However, you should clarify how such a plan would work where you reside.
Structural Issues
A house's frame isn't meant to support additional structural elements. Consequently, home additions tend to have to be self-supporting. However, the connection between the older and new sections of a house can have interface problems.
Contractors are versed in these issues, but it does require planning. Given the main structure will usually provide zero support, the addition needs essentially separate framing and foundation. Also, the connection can't apply so much pressure that one section or the other may eventually fail.
You may also need to consider how to run utilities to the addition. Especially if you're adding kitchen or bathroom space, this likely means running plumbing. Heating, air conditioning, and electricity are also potential concerns. You may need to run lines through the older part of the house to make the connection with the newer section work.
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