DIY: Room Addition

Planning

• Before doing any work, outline a plan for the addition. Having a plan allows you to set up a schedule for certain tasks, create a budget, and set realistic goals and expectations for your project. During the planning stage, locate utility lines, get the appropriate permits for building, plumbing and electricity, and shop around for the best price on your materials.

  Also, realize that a room addition isn't a one-person project (see Resource 2). Enlist the help of friends and family; otherwise, you may wear yourself out and the room may go unfinished or other issues may arise.

Building a Room Addition

• Always begin any home addition or home building project with the foundation and utilize proper reinforcements within the concrete (see Reference 1). Allow the concrete to fully dry before you move forward with any other steps (see Reference 1). After the concrete has been allowed to dry, begin to frame out the room. Build the frame using construction lumber, such as 2-by-4s or 2-by-6s, depending on your needs (see Reference 2). Enclose the room with proper insulation, siding and roofing to match the existing home and protect the interior of the structure as you move onto the next tasks.

  Once the room has been enclosed, install the electrical wiring. Visualize where you plan to put appliances, such as a TV or lamps. This will help you decide on the best places for wall sockets and light switches. If you are installing a bathroom as part of the addition, you will also need to install plumbing following the installation of the electrical wires.

  Following plumbing and electricity, begin to close up the interior side of the walls. Install installation before you put up drywall, as this will save on your heating bills but will also add value to the room addition, making it more appealing to potential buyers in the future. Once the drywall is up, sand, paint, install flooring and complete any other final tasks. Before you know it, your new room will be ready for move-in.

  After each task, such as pouring the foundation, framing out the home or installing electricity or plumbing, the project should be inspected. By bringing in an inspector, you can protect yourself from surprises such as being told you need to redo something to bring it up to local code. This will also help your project go more smoothly and also aids in getting a final approval from your local building inspector for an occupancy permit --- which will allow your family to begin occupying and using the room.