Planning your home remodel, 2nd story addition or ADU

When considering remodeling your home, adding a 2nd floor or building an ADU, doing so in the Bay Area can add value and improve the functionality of your home.

This post will help you assess the feasibility of your project and determine initial steps to take.

Project feasibility: Four Basic Things to Know or Do Up Front:

List your needs and desires: For a home remodel or 2nd floor addition, create a list of things you want and a list of the things in the house that are not working and need upgrading. Do you want to remodel the kitchen and a bathroom and or add storage? Do you want more space? Try and get an initial sense of the square footage of your house and its rooms by measuring your home. For an ADU project, who are you designing this for-family, renters, or others and what space are you comfortable dedicating to the build.

Understand probable project timelines:  For smaller remodeling projects that do not entail many changes to the exterior, you should budget about 6-10 months to design your project and get a permit and then 6-10 months for construction. For larger projects and additions as well as ADUs, budget 8-12 months for permit and design and 8-12 months for construction. Construction projects take time. You should consider moving out of the home during construction for larger projects.

Understand project cost parameters:  Construction is expensive but if done right, it is always worth it. For new construction you should think about a budget of $400-$600 per square foot for construction and an additional 20% for design, consultant fees (survey, structural, Title 24, and geotechnical if needed) and permit fees. Prices for remodeling existing spaces vary wildly per square foot because you may be upgrading your electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems as well as putting in a new kitchen and doing seismic work. At TJA, we will help you identify a contractor that is the right fit for you and your project, and we will be involved in the construction phase to ensure that the quote your receive is appropriate for your project and that your project is built as planned.

Find an architect with whom to work: If you are ready to dedicate the time and money to your project, the next thing to do is to hire an architect. Identify architects with a strong portfolio in residential remodeling and additions. An architect that has construction experience and expertise is extremely helpful. Your architect will guide you through the entire process helping you create a design you like and can afford,  procure the planning and building permits you need and assist you in finding a qualified contractor.

We invite you to contact us with any home remodel or 2nd story addition needs. We will schedule a time to discuss your project with you.

We were asked by RedFin to contribute to an article on How to Design a Home that Won’t Go Out of Style. These are timeless tips.