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Message |
    
Hiraeth
Citizen
Username: Hiraeth
Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:21 am: | 
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We currently have a 3 bed, 1.5 bathroom, smallish (for Maplewood!) house but are finding that we could do with some more room (having a child seems to quickly fill a house!!). We don't really want to move as we like where we are so are considering a two storey addition - family room on 1st floor, master bedroom with bathroom on second floor.
However, without going to the expense of getting plans etc. initially drawn up, how do we find out what something like this might cost? Until we know the cost, we might find out we're being a bit over-ambitious.
Anyone have any experience of a similar project? Who did you work with - a general contractor or an architect and sub-contractors? Any advice would be gratefully received to help us decide whether this is feasible. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 614
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:48 am: |
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First, if you haven't already, determine if you have space on your lot to add on -- the building department can tell you the rules about how far you have to be from lot lines. After I made this call, I realized our previous owners had already added on as much as possible! (And I understood why they chose that rather strange shape for the addition.) |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4014
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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I would figure a two story addition with a bath to be somewhere in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 depending on your finishes and total square footage.
We are just about to break ground on a one story kitchen addition that we started "planning" last August (we didn't actually sign a contract with the architect until November though). We're working with an architect because I couldn't conceive of trying to figure it all out on our own. And boy am I glad we went that route. There's just so much to know about codes and plans and setbacks and lot coverage and thousands of other little details.
When we first sat down with the architect for our consultation last August, we were told to plan for anywhere from $250 to $425 per square foot. Since that time costs for everything--lumber, sheet rock, etc. have gone up quite a bit, so I would guess it might be more. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4637
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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Hiraeth, just move. My house might be perfect for you, and it's going on the market soon. 
We did an addition four years ago and it amazes me how prices have skyrocketed. |
Walt21012
Citizen
Username: Walt21012
Post Number: 16
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
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We are looking at a three story addition that included a new kitchen, mudroom and half bath as well as a screen porch on the first floor, a master suite on the second floor (bedroom plus bath) and a bonus room on the attic level. (This is for a typical Maplewood three bedroom, one bath house.)
The estimates we got ranged from $300K to $370K. After recovering from the sticker shock, we now need to mull over whether we can recover any of that at resale, how long we will stay in the house, etc.
Early in the process, check into zoning to see whether your addition will be approved as Maplewood has a maximum pecentage footprint ordinance (I think it's something like 35% lot coverage) and other setback rules. You may not be able to make the addition as big as you'd like. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4015
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:00 pm: |
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Yes, it is 35% lot coverage (which includes all "impermiable" surfaces such as curbs, walkways, patios, garage, driveway, decks, etc). Setback on the sides is 5 feet off the property line. Front and back, I'm not sure because we didn't come anywhere close to those. |
E. Dylan Walsh II
Citizen
Username: New_to_town
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:16 pm: |
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Sounds like good advice. |
Hiraeth
Citizen
Username: Hiraeth
Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:39 pm: |
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Thanks all, this is great advice and at least gives me an idea where to start. We're pretty sure we have the room - ours is the original 3 bed, 1.5 bath house and both our neighbours' houses each side go back a lot further than ours on the same size plot of land.
VIG - moving is the other option and we have been looking. But... we like where we are and we've done some work to the house. It has its faults but we feel like we know what they are. By moving, we take on that whole unknown again... but we'll look out for your house!!
MeandtheBoys - would you be happy to recommend your architect? |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4018
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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Clawson Architects
145 Dunnell Road
Maplewood
973-313-2724 |
mark james
Citizen
Username: Nutsbolts
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 8:40 pm: |
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We worked with a design/ contractor that saved us time & MONEY. Provided us with rough drawing & then final when it was time to brake ground. Took care of all the paperwork with the town. Very happy
Built 2 Last
973-632-6281 |
pmart
Citizen
Username: Pmart
Post Number: 174
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 12:48 pm: |
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If you have a rough idea about what you want (re: addition size, siding, windows, heating, electric, bath amenities, special carpentry features, flooring, etc.), contractors and/or architects may be able to provide a ballpark estimate. Speak with as many people as possible. Prices will vary widely, by firm/contractor. In addition to hearing professional advice/opinions, you'll also be pre-screening for a potential architect & contractor for the job. |
AMA
Citizen
Username: Exuws
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 9:34 pm: |
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Just had a little field trip to Town Hall. Front and back setback requirements vary a little by lot size, but at minimum they're 25 feet (20 in some parts of Maplewood) -- including decks and porches. And, no one's allowed to build 3 stories anymore, so be careful! |
Czele
Citizen
Username: Czele
Post Number: 98
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:10 pm: |
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The Maplewood zoning ordinance for lot coverage is that the building footprint (which includes garages) must be under 35% of the lot- there is no restriction yet for impermeable surfaces (i.e. patios and driveways). South Orange does require that the total square footage of impermeable be under 40% of the lot. Hope this helps! |
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