Tuesday, 1 April 2014

The beginning of the addition

Why are we putting ourselves through the time, money and effort of putting an addition onto our 1974 home? We have debated with ourselves over the last 18 months whether we want to take on this project or pick up and move.  We decided to commit to the addition renovation for the following reasons:   -we really like our location
                -we like our spacious private back yard
                 -it is hard to find a new home in our area with a spacious private back yard
                - I like the idea of designing my home and space vs. taking on a builder basic home or
                  somebody else's idea of a renovation
                 -my handy husband wants to build - really build
                 -though our 2 year old son and 7 year old daughter happily share a small bedroom, our
                  7 year old may want/need her own room sooner rather than later
 
The plan is to build out over our garage and six feet out into our backyard to add an extra 364 square feet of living space.  In total, we will gain one new bedroom (so our home will have a total of 3 bedrooms on the main floor) and a larger master bedroom with walk-in closet.  The present kids' room will be converted into a master ensuite bath.  At the same time, we will replace our single pane  windows with double pane windows.   The house will also get a face lift as we will remove the aluminum siding on the front of the house to be recycled on the new side and back of the house.  Board and baton siding will be applied to the front.  Cedar shingles will be used to clad the gables.
 
I describe this project to be exciting and daunting.  With plans and building permit in hand, my husband was raring to demo this past weekend.  Instead, we got to break ground in the backyard and clean out the garage.
 
Below you can see the dug out: over 6 feet wide and 12 feet long and 2 feet deep in which footings and foundation will be formed.
 
 
 
Below you can see the back of our house and attached garage over which we plan to build a second story.

 
Here we go.  Wish us luck.
 
 
                

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