subject: Framing Or Building An Addition To A House [print this page] Contractors must be knowledgeable about the building codes for each town where they work, and make sure that they involve the client and the sub-contractors in a constructive way. The first thing to know about building an addition at home is that everything must be square and level. Builders must think through every single detail, from the way a door will close in the frame, to what kind of material the window is made of and how it will be trimmed out. These details make the difference between a successful job and an unsuccessful one.
One of the biggest challenges when adding onto an older home is joining the new square addition to walls that aren't plumb or level. For this type of addition, each roof rafter has to be measured and cut individually to get a tight fit. This takes more time so it costs extra, to make the required adjustments.
Putting up the Frame
Contractors and their team usually build the addition on-site, and where possible try to use pre-assembled components like roof rafters. These decisions depend on the shape/size of the building and the site itself, i.e. how regular the design is. Framing is really an art with a lot of complexity you don't see until you start doing it. Sometimes it's also a matter of how long you have to complete a project, and framing is better done with a team of people who work together regularly.
Completing the Addition
Ultimately there are more than 20 different specialty contractors involved in building a new house, and your general contractor or builder has a network of these specialists to get your project done efficiently, efficiently and at the level of quality you want. It's important to understand basic building concepts when you're hiring a remodeler, so that you're comfortable discussing problems and alternative solutions.
Complete the Paper Works
When you begin working on building an addition, you're going to need a plan. For building, this plan must include the required paperwork. First, you will need a site plan. A site plan shows that you have had the site looked over by an engineer so you are aware of the type of terrain you'll be working with. It will also have all of your architectural plans. The site plan is also known as a site development plan, and is defined as such: "showing all existing and proposed structures, including accessory structures (detached garages, sheds, pools, etc.) Clearly delineate building dimensions, including setbacks from all property lines. Show proposed water well and septic areas, including septic reserve areas, if applicable."
You will need a building permit. This is a document that you keep on site in a visible location that tells everyone that the city has given you permission to build there. You could be fined for quite a lot of money if you do not bother with the building permit.
