DIY: House Additions

The Planning Stages

• Home additions are expensive and require extensive planning. Before you begin picking out carpet or paint, start with the basics and set up a budget. An addition to your home will require a foundation, a structural frame, electrical wiring, drywall, insulation, roofing and materials, landscaping and in some cases, plumbing.

  The cost of materials will add up quickly if you're not prepared and in some cases, it may be better to hire a professional contractor for advice, assistance or to even do the job. A professional contractor will also be knowledgeable of local plumbing or electrical codes, so you won't find out during an inspection that you improperly wired your addition and need to start over from scratch.

  Last, before you begin you must obtain the appropriate building permits. Without a building permit, you can be fined hundreds or thousands of dollars and in some states, serve jail time. Also, throughly research local building codes, rules, regulations and laws to ensure that your home will pass all inspections, allowing you to begin using your home addition when it is complete.

Basics of a New Home Addition

• With the proper permits, you can begin on the foundation for your new home addition. Pouring concrete can be a difficult job and is not usually a do-it-yourself project. For concrete, it may be ideal to hire a professional to prevent an improperly built foundation that can lead to structural issues (see Reference 1).

  The house frame can be built using basic construction lumber, such as 2-by-4s. After you've framed out the walls and the roof, begin enclosing the structure using plywood boards. The roof rafters should also be topped with plywood boards, followed by insulation, tar paper and shingles. Windows and doors can also be installed, along with exterior insulation and siding (see Reference 2).

  Once inside, electrical wiring can be installed. If needed, plumbing can also be installed at this point. If you choose to tackle either of these projects, rather than hiring a professional, check out local electric or plumbing rules and regulations.

  Following plumbing and electricity, the room will begin to take shape as you can then insulate the walls and install drywall. The seams of the drywall should be covered with joint or paper tape, combined with drywall mud. You must also cover the screws with drywall mud to ensure an even finish (see Reference 3).

  Once dry, you may need to apply additional layers of drywall mud and allow to dry again. Allow the drywall mud to thoroughly dry before you begin the tasks of sanding, followed by painting. Wear a mask when sanding because of the excessive dust, which can cause serious lung damage or death if too much is inhaled.

  Finally, begin to lay down carpet and paint the walls. Also, you'll need to schedule a home inspection before moving in furniture and occupying your new house addition. Once you've passed inspection, the room is complete and you can begin enjoying your new space.