Additions to your home are an excellent solution to increase living space in your home, whether it is additional bedrooms, a bigger kitchen or a home office. However, prior to designing your dream space, one of the most significant questions that you would require to be answered is: How long do home additions take? Although each project is different, learning about the general project schedule and the aspects that may influence it will allow you to get ready to the process.
Factors That Affect the Timeline of Home Additions
A home addition project takes some time to be completed depending on a number of factors. So, to have a clearer picture of how long it might take in your particular case, let us take a closer look at these.
Type of Addition
One of the greatest determinants of the project timeline is the kind of addition you intend to make. The time frames vary depending on the type of home addition that is being carried out since some of them are more labor intensive and need more expertise than others.
Simple Home Additions: A simple room addition such as a new bedroom or family room will not be as time consuming. Such projects are less structural and most of them can be done in a few weeks or a couple of months.
Complex Home Additions: More complicated projects, such as a second story addition, or a kitchen addition with new plumbing and electrical, can be much longer. Such additions typically require months to be done.
Size of the Addition
The larger the addition, the longer it will take. An addition of a simple 100-square-foot room may only take 4 to 6 weeks, whereas a bigger 500-square-foot one may take between 3 to 6 months. The larger the space, the longer it will take to be built and finished.
Permits and Regulations
You need to obtain the required permits before commencing any home addition. This may take a few days to several weeks depending on the area you are residing in. The permits may also take long depending on the local zoning regulations, building codes and other restrictions. Also, there are usually inspections needed at different phases of the project which increases the duration.
Design and Planning Phase
The planning stage of any home addition is a very important step that involves designing the new space, choosing materials, and getting the needed approvals. This stage may take a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the design and the speed of decision making. When you employ an architect or designer, this may prolong the process particularly when modifications are required following the initial designs.
Weather and Seasonal Factors
The weather may also be a major factor in determining the duration of the home addition, particularly when the project is an outdoor construction like foundation, framing or roofing. Depending on where you are located, the project schedule might have to be extended in case you live in a place with harsh winters or rainy weather. During the perfect weather, the construction may be going on without any breaks but delays may occur.
Typical Home Addition Timelines
Although each home addition is different, here is a general idea of how long it will take certain types of home additions:
Simple Room Addition (4 to 6 weeks)
When you are extending the house with a small room such as a new bedroom, an office, or a bathroom, the project can take 4 to 6 weeks. This presupposes that there are no significant structural alterations required, and that all the permits are received in time. The project will entail simple work like framing, electrical and plumbing works, insulation, drywall, and finishing works like floors, paint and trim.
Kitchen or Bathroom Expansion (2 to 4 months)
Kitchen or bathroom expansion can be more time-consuming since it requires plumbing, electrical and appliance or fitting installation. Besides the construction, this kind of addition might need more planning and designing. Depending on the complexity, the timeline of such projects may be between 2 to 4 months.
Second Story Addition (3 to 6 months or more)
One of the most complicated and time-consuming kinds of home addition is adding a second story to your home. This not only necessitates a lot of structural work and reinforcement of the foundation, but also installation of stairs, appropriate roof alignment and even electrical and plumbing system may have to be updated. The second-story addition may require 3 months to more than 6 months depending on the complexity of the project and the weather conditions.
Garage or Basement Conversion (1 to 3 months)
In case you intend to transform your garage or basement into living space, the schedule will be based on the extent of work to be done to make the space habitable. A basic conversion can be completed within 1-2 months whereas a more complicated one may require 3 months or more. Such projects are usually the upgrading of insulation, plumbing and electrical systems, drywall, and the installation of appropriate flooring and finishing.
How to Speed Up Your Home Addition Timeline
Although there are a number of things that you cannot control that may impact the project schedule, there are a few things you can do to make the process go faster:
Apply for the Required Permits in Advance: Apply to the permits as early as possible to prevent delays in the future. Make sure that everything is in order with your contractor.
Employ Qualified Workers: Select a qualified contractor and designer that have experience in building an addition to a home. Their expertise will help keep the project on track.
Pre-Order Materials: In case you are sure about what materials you are going to use; you can order them beforehand so that you do not have to wait until the delivery of materials during the construction period.
Stick to the Plan: Do not change much after the project has begun. Modifications in the design or the scope of work may increase time and cost to the renovation.
