What is Involved in Doing an Addition or Remodel

By: New Castle Remodeling  11/04/2011
Keywords: Remodeling, Construction, Home Improvement & Remodeling Services

 ADDITIONS AND REMODELS.   What does it cost to do an addition or remodel?  This is a question I get asked a lot.  It is not as easy one to answer as it may seem.    If you are doing an addition that is on flat land, is to be on the first story, is on a concrete slab, can be accessed from an existing hallway and has no plumbing but is just an added room with no closet or walls inside, then you have something that costs the least to build.  
EXTRAS -
  NOT ON FLAT LAND The addition is on a property that has any slope to it, even a small slope. The addition is on a property that has more slope to it. The addition is on a property that is on a hillside that requires piles. The addition is on a property that is on a hillside that requires us to go deeper with the support piles.  
NOT ON THE FIRST STORY Is a second story addition. Is a third story addition. The first story and foundation are not designed to support a second story Does the city allow you to build a second story.  
NOT ON A CONCRETE SLAB How much dirt do we have to remove to be able to put the addition on a wood structure. What is the water table and how does that effect the wood structure. What sort of access is required to under the addition.  
NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM AN EXISTING HALLWAY Do we have to remodel some other room so we can access the addition without going through some other room. Does the addition include remodeling ½ of the house in order for the flow of people to work.  
NOT JUST A BEDROOM OR OFFICE Is it a bathroom with marble and granite walls and flooring and shower and glass showers. Is it a kitchen with tiled countertops and backslashes and stoves and ovens and bread garages. Is it a wine cellar. Does it have a wet bar. Do you want a sunken tub.  
NOT JUST A SQUARE ROOM BUT HAS CLOSET Does it have angled walls Is there closets and hutches and built in cabinets   OTHER ITEMS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE Is an electrical upgrade needed. Is a plumbing upgrade needed. Are you going to do an Economy, Standard or Deluxe type addition. Are we having to move existing support walls or add new ones.  
    The list can go on and on but the thing to realize is there is no real answer to the “How Much” question without first having all of this information.  I can tell you that it can range from $100 to $400 or more a square foot to do an addition.  BUT, the only way you are going to get an exact price to do a remodel is to have an exact design and to figure out how to make the design become a reality by having an architect and engineer work do up plans and get those plans into the city dept of building and safety to be approved.  At that point we can look over the project and work up a price.  
   The sequence is DESIGN - have an exact design ARCHITECTURAL - figure out how to make the design become a reality
ENGINEERING - figure out how to make the design become a reality
PLANS THROUGH CITY BUILDING PLAN CHECK - to be approved
PULL PERMITS - to get these based on the approved plans BUILD - to be a good idea now that all the other work has been done