Planning Your Project
Decision-making: Build or move
The process of design and construction is not simple (if nothing else, this site should illustrate that) so it's natural to consider whether you could get the desired features more easily by moving. Even if you're pretty sure you'd like to stay put, it may be worth it to spend a bit of time considering the move option, so that when you're knee deep in construction dust you won't wonder if "maybe we would have been better off…." The same applies to tearing your house down and rebuilding in the same spot. The build/move decision will be based on:
- Value of existing house (realtor can appraise)
- Cost of available real estate
- Ties to existing neighborhood
- Cost/timing of move
- Urgency of need
- Financing, cash flow, and tax issues
Decision-making: What to build (scope)
The scope of work may extend beyond your initial requirements. For example, you may need a larger kitchen that requires adding an addition. It may be worth considering adding a family room and mudroom, since you will be doing new construction anyway. There are great economies of scale in design and construction. Much of the cost of construction is in logistics, getting all the right people and materials in the right place at the right time. Once there, the incremental cost of doing more work is not that great. For example, making a room 4' longer mainly increases the cost of the materials (not labor), as it takes the contractor almost the same time to nail up a 4' board as an 8' board. Since labor constitutes the largest cost of most projects, "buying more building" for just the cost of materials is a good value. The same logic applies to deciding between a one or two-story addition- since a one-story addition will have the same foundation and roof costs as a two-story, the incremental cost increase is just for the second floor walls and interior finishes. Of course, there's no point in building bigger than you need, just keep economy of scale in mind.
Decision-making: Wish list
Once you start to think about remodeling, you start noticing all the things that bother you about your house. Perhaps while you're building a new kitchen you might also want to have the living room repainted, or finish the basement, etc. Be careful here, there's a difference between adding scope to an addition and adding work all over the house. If the added work can be done at the same time by the same person, economies of scale will apply. However, if finishing the basement requires bringing in a heating subcontractor that was not going to be required for the kitchen addition, you may drive the cost of the project much higher by adding complexity.
Decision-making: What to build (style)
The aesthetic choices are essentially unlimited, although many people like the addition to blend with the existing house, or a new house to fit into the neighborhood context. In fact, it's a compliment to say that an addition fit in so well that it can't be distinguished from the original house. There may also be zoning rules that limit your options. However, it's often worth thinking carefully about your house to determine whether blending in is the best option. Do you like the appearance of you existing house? Perhaps you feel it's a little plain. A more detailed addition, and some trim details added to the house, could give you the look of a whole new house. Even if you are satisfied with the appearance of your existing house, an addition offers a chance to add a different kind of space. For example, if all the rooms currently have low ceilings, a new room with a high ceiling could be a nice change. Or perhaps your house has painted woodwork, and you'd like a room with natural wood trim. A popular option is to have the exterior of an addition blend in with the existing house, while allowing for more difference on the interior. Remember that unless you are one of the few lucky owners of a true period piece (be it Colonial or Victorian), it's OK to deviate from the existing, if you like.
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