Planning a First Floor Addition? Read This First!

As your family grows, you may find that your living space no longer works for you. For many homeowners, the answer is a house move. However, it’s not always the best option. If you’d rather stay in your current home, but space to extend outwards is limited, why not consider extending upwards? With carefully designed first-floor additions, Sydney homeowners can have the extra space they need without having to move home. However, this option does come with some considerations. Read on, to learn more.

Put together a plan

All successful renovations, including first-floor additions, need to begin with a carefully considered and comprehensive plan. Having a plan in place is vital to ensure the building work goes smoothly and to budget.

Stick to your budget

In the planning stage, it’s easy to get carried away with all the possibilities for your build. That’s why it’s essential to come up with a realistic budget that you can comfortably afford – and stick with it. This means you may have to compromise on some items on your wish list.

Set aside a contingency fund

For any building project, a contingency fund is a must to take care of any unexpected expenses that may arise. Some aspects of the build may prove costlier than first anticipated, especially if you’re remodelling an older property. And, if your project goes to budget and your contingency fund isn’t needed, you may be able to have something off your wish list after all!

Don’t over-spec your property

Unless you see this as your forever home, be careful not to over-spec your property and price it out of the market. Research the value of similar properties in your area to get an idea of the top-end selling price.

Get recommendations

Adding a new floor is a job for professionals and you’ll need a company that is experienced in building first-floor additions in Sydney. One way to do this is to ask for recommendations from homeowners in the area who have had similar work done.

Don’t forget credentials and contracts

Even if you do get a good recommendation, it pays to check the builder’s credentials and ensure that they have the correct insurance and licences in place. Before you let any builder start work on your home, get a written contract in place that includes everything from the scheduling of work to materials, payments and contingencies

By taking a few precautions, you’re more likely to have a positive experience and end up with an addition to your home that meets or even surpasses your expectations.