The Steps to a Successful Home Addition: Everything You Need to Know About the Process

A home addition can be an incredibly exciting project, but it's a major construction project as well. And at Marks Building Co., we want to make sure that it's not only built the way you envisioned and can enjoy for years to come, but that it's a process you'll look back on fondly.

Here is a look at the steps towards a successful addition project for your home, and how Marks Building Co. helps to make that happen.

The Planning and Discovery Phase of a Home Addition

The first thing we do when starting a home addition project is conduct a feasibility and site assessment. This begins with a discovery call and an on-site visit to determine if a project is feasible, checking for obstacles like utilities, septic tanks, and site access for materials.

Before construction begins, we'll meet with our clients in our office to view a rendition of the addition, allowing them to visualize the roof pitch, window placement, interior layouts, and more.

A unique feature of our service is the "Walk Your Plans" experience, where our team and our clients can physically walk through a to-scale version of their blueprints projected on the floor. Being able to actually walk through the proposed design makes a huge difference in deciding on the final layout.

Home Addition Execution and Project Management

With efficient planning and early decision-making, our team is able to complete major home additions in tight windows. For example, we recently had a client that wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner in their newly renovated kitchen and addition. The project began in early September, giving us a 2-3 month month window in which to work, and we were able to make it happen for them.

"That's the time frame of what an efficient, planned-out addition will produce," said Marks Building COO Casey Marks.

Client Experience and a Commitment to Transparency

Part of what makes a home addition project successful is not only setting expectations, but being entirely transparent with our customers through every stage of the journey and ensuring they are comfortable with each and every step. We always have a pre-construction meeting with our clients to help us collectively manage potential long-lead items like cabinets and tile and to ensure they aren't overwhelmed by any decisions.

As the home addition project unfolds, Marks Building Co. utilizes a CRM portal for real-time progress tracking, where clients receive daily logs, weekly updates, and thousands of photos throughout the project.

"[Marks Building Director of Operations] Jeremy McCarthy and the production team, they're putting in day-to-day communication on what's happening on the job site," said Marks.

When it comes to financial transparency, the Marks Building team shares its entire estimate spreadsheet with clients, showing in real-time how design changes (like moving a wall) can affect the final cost.

During the construction process, our team prioritizes cleanliness and open communication about noise and subcontractor schedules to ensure our clients remain comfortable while living in the home during a remodel. Additionally, there will always be a project manager onsite facilitating the different phases of the project.

"We treat their home like it's our home," said McCarthy. "When you're remodeling someone's house, it's still their home. You have to be respectful of their spaces, the cleanliness and just be open and honest."

Strategic Design Advice: What Does the Perfect Home Addition Look Like to You?

A home addition can be an exciting project, but we really like to dive in with our clients to get to the heart of the "why." Why do we want this particular addition? What needs would be met by going forward? How will it improve the living arrangements for your family? Rather than just adding square footage, we want to help decipher what our clients' actual needs are — whether it's an in-law suite with a "wet room" for an aging parent or a larger kitchen for hosting holidays.

"We don't want to throw in an addition on someone's house and it's not any use to them," said McCarthy. "If you just put a room on, but you don't have a reason to use the room, what's the point?"

Ultimately, this is what a home addition boils down to. If we can get to the heart of your "why," we'll be on our way to a successful project. At the end of the day, transparency in everything we do and a commitment to quality will result in a home addition you'll love for years to come.

If you're interested in starting your own journey to a new home addition, reach out to the Marks Building team today and schedule a time to sit down with us and visit our showroom. We look forward to working with you!