How to Remodel by Connecting an Old & a New House

Sketch the property from various angles. Draw the old house structure from curbside, for example, to plan a connecting roof to a new section. Plan to attach a new house, which may have living space or bedrooms, in ways that make the main curbside structure more dominant. Design the old house to stand out, if it is a two-story farmhouse, for example. Create a plan to make a new house the focal point if an old house is built behind it.

Create a good curbside drawing and transfer all dimensions to graph paper. Add shutters to an old farmhouse, for example, and draw a connecting section to the new house. Enclose the space between the new house and the old with a simple roof line. Use landscaping, porches or decking to unite the old and new house sections. Make sure the connection flows visually. Add a copper metal roof to both houses and similar porches, as one choice.

Revamp the old house and repair any structural problems. Upgrade and waterproof the basement and repair cracks in the foundation, for example. Get rid of any mold under and inside the house, as mold is a health hazard. Correct any electrical or plumbing problems and run new wiring, if needed. Upgrade the exterior so you can work on the interior over time.

Design the new house exterior to complement the old. Add tongue-and-groove boards or vinyl siding on the new house to fit the exterior of the old house. Install guttering on both structures after the roof areas are completed. Keep in mind that overhangs and guttering that wrap both structures in an identical fashion will make the old house and new house look unified. Use green guttering, for example, on both structures.

Finish both interior spaces, in both the old and new structures, to have appropriate living spaces. Figure out kitchen and living space that will serve as the heart of the property. Carve this space out in the old house, for example, and use the new house for bedrooms and a home office. Be sure to include enough bathrooms or small half-baths throughout so both the old house and new house serve the family well over time.