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Structural Mistakes to Avoid in Every Home Addition – Part 2

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Home additions are a popular way for homeowners to increase their home’s value and improve their quality of life. However, expanding your home is a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning and attention to detail.

One of the most important aspects of any home addition project is ensuring that the structure is built correctly and meets all safety and building codes. Unfortunately, many homeowners make common structural mistakes that can lead to costly repairs, safety hazards, and even legal issues.

In the first part of this blog, we discussed five structural mistakes to avoid in every home addition. In this second part, we will discuss five more equally important factors.

6. Underestimating Electrical and Plumbing Needs

Another typical renovation pitfall homeowners fall for is underestimating the electrical and plumbing needs. Added rooms mean added demand for electricity and plumbing lines, especially if you’re adding to a kitchen or bath. Extra electrical and plumbing fixtures can overload the existing system and lead to safety hazards and costly repairs. It is crucial to assess the electrical and plumbing needs of the addition and the existing home and upgrade the system if necessary.

7. Overlooking Structural Support

Adding onto your home can put unaccounted stress on the existing structure. It is necessary to ensure that the addition has adequate structural support to prevent sagging, shifting, and collapse; that’s why hiring professionals to do the computation, plans, and adjustments is the best option. Failure to provide adequate structural support can result in serious safety hazards and expensive repairs.

8. Not Considering Natural Light and Ventilation

Natural light and ventilation are essential for the health and comfort of your home. In some cases, homeowners forget that they block or remove intentionally placed windows or vents when building new home additions. So, when adding to your home, it is important to ensure that ventilation and sunlight still get to key areas of your property. Failure to do so can result in poor indoor air quality, higher energy bills, and discomfort.

9. Ignoring Accessibility Needs

Accessibility is essential when adding to your home, especially if you or a family member has mobility issues. You may want to ensure to have flat transitions from room to room, grip handles for staircases and bathrooms, plus a ramp for wheelchair users. It’s best to design and build the addition to be accessible and meet the needs of all occupants. Please do so to avoid safety hazards and legal issues.

10. Overlooking the Landscape

Finally, it is important to consider the landscape when adding to your home. Adding onto your home can displace the drainage, soil, and vegetation around your home. Working with a professional helps homeowners ensure that the addition and the construction process do not cause drainage issues, soil erosion, or damage to trees and other vegetation. Or if the building process does damage the landscaping, you’ll have a contingency plan. 

Key Takeaways

Avoiding structural mistakes is crucial when planning and building a home addition. Following the tips discussed in this article ensures that your home addition project is safe, structurally sound, and meets all building codes. Remember to obtain the necessary permits, hire a licensed contractor, address foundation issues, consider HVAC, electrical, and plumbing needs, and more.

Ready to start planning your new home addition? Look no further than Terra Inc. Construction. We are a trusted and experienced construction company specializing in designing and building high-quality home additions. From the initial consultation to the final construction, our team of experts will work closely with you to ensure your vision becomes a reality. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let our team bring your dream home addition to life!