Not everyone is lucky to score the house of their dreams, but it is possible to get the most out of your existing structure by adding a custom room expansion. DIY additions can also add value to a house, whether you plan on selling soon or not.
If you’re looking for more living space or just want an added bedroom to accommodate grandkids and guests, consider this step-by-step guide to creating a DIY addition to your house.
How to Get Started with Planning
You’ll want to make sure you have a clear plan for your new space and how it will be used, allowing you to begin the planning process long before breaking ground. This means taking a close look at your house’s layout and structural necessities.
Step 1: To the Drawing Board
Draw up a floor plan for your new room. If you’re designing an addition on one side of the house, add it next to the existing structure and include some notes about what type of connection will be used, such as a wooden beam or a metal frame. Also, don’t forget to include details like doors and windows.
Step 2: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Having an accurate blueprint will help you get the right materials for your new room’s construction. Draw up a cut list and measure twice to ensure everything matches exactly to your home’s specifications.
Step 3: Acquisition
Now it’s time to start buying supplies. Start by calculating how much lumber or other building material you need for both your new room and your existing home, not just the addition. Also, get a rough estimate of how much fencing or other materials you’ll need, including paint for walls and roof shingles.
Step 4: Gearing up for Construction
Don’t forget to grab all the necessary tools before construction starts, such as a tape measure, a sawhorse, a hammer, a level, and any other tools you think you might need. Gather all the necessary hardware pieces that you’ll need for construction, such as nails or screws in one place for easy access.
How to Build a DIY Room Addition
Now that planning is out of the way, it’s time to break ground on your project. This guide will show you how to build a new room onto your house by yourself.
Step 1: Digging and Plumbing
Start with sturdy foundations, such as concrete footings and joists for the floors as well as the ceiling. Begin assembling any wooden supports needed, such as corner posts or studs, using galvanized nails. If you’re adding plumbing, you’ll want to install any PVC pipes or other related materials during this part.
Step 2: Walls and Ceilings
Measure the square footage of your new room, dividing it up so that you can cut wooden boards to size for your walls and ceiling. Nail the horizontal joists into place at regular intervals, keeping in mind proper spacing so that the walls have room to expand and contract.
Step 3: Flooring
Measure your new room’s floor space again, this time adding 1/2 inch to the length and width for expansion capabilities. Cut out pieces of plywood or other materials needed for the flooring, then attach them with nails or screws.
Step 4: Windows and Doors
You can attach a window to the exterior walls of your new room, but you’ll want to plan where it goes carefully. Make sure it will match up with an existing window on the house and sit right above the ground for proper drainage. Your doors should also get hung at this time using hinges and screws.
Step 5: Paint and Shingles
Once the basic structure of your room is complete, you can start with any finishing touches like installing shingles on the roof or siding over the walls. You’ll also want to patch up cracks after painting both your new room and your home’s exterior if they’re separate structures.
Step 6: Cleaning Up and Enjoying
Before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, you’ll have to get rid of all the mess first. For this, it could be wise to find a dumpster rental service nearby, rather than cleaning up the construction site yourself. Once you’re all clean and the dumpster’s gone, it’s time to enjoy your new space.
Whether you need more living space for guests or simply want to give yourself an at-home office that doesn’t take up the entire basement, building on an addition to your house is a great way to go. This guide will show you how to add a new room to your house by yourself, whether you’re building it from scratch or modifying an existing space like the basement or attic.
