Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 36 minutes ago
In this video I walk you through the 10 major phases of planning to build an addition on your house.
Step 1 - Why are you considering building - 0:25
Step 2 - Recouping Value - 1:36
Step 3 - Paying for it - 4:39
Step 4 - Labor - 5:49
Step 5 - Design - 7:06
Step 6 - Legal - 8:50
Step 7 - Site Planning - 9:20
Step 8 - The Existing House - 11:46
Step 9 - Draw it out - 15:03
Step 10 - Super Structure - 18:38
1. Planning your addition
Part 1 - Why add on?
Make a List from each family member
Major Problems
Needs
Wants
Prioritize the list
Define the solutions next to each problem
Think about this list in terms of Going Forward
Ask around, feedback of friends and family
Part 2 - Recouping Value
Should you Move or Improve
How much to improve
Don't improve more than neighboring houses
Try not to spend more than 20% above the value of your house
If no one else is improving? don't.
Don't make it to customized (re-sale)
Remember capital gains (keep receipts)
Consider Room Cost / Value
#garage - 30% back
Leisure - 100% back
Bathroom 40% back
Kitchens - 120% back
Create dual use rooms (bed, office, living room)
Part 3 - Paying for it
Costs
Get a lot of Quotes
Financing
HELOC, or Loan
2nd mortgage
Refinance
Read more in the book
Part 4 - The labor
Do I really want to do it?
Am I and able to do it successfully?
Do I have the time?
Do I have the tools
Can I save enough money to justify doing it?
How will this affect my household, family role
Is there some other benefit to me doing it
Part 5 - Design
Architects
Engineers
Mech
Elec
Civil
Specialists
Interior
Kitchen and Bath
Landscape
Design-Builders
Part 6 - Legal
Local zoning
don't give up
variances
The house
Part 7 - Site Planning
sun wind cars and neighbors
Slopes
Existing site features
water sewer
well heads
septic systems
buried lines
elec
tele
gas
paved areas
Expensive areas to destroy
Part 8 - The existing house
Internal Flow
Where key rooms are that can't change
bathrooms
kitchens
laundry
rooms that can?
Where can you add on?
Bearing walls?
Additions without breaking ground
Bump outs
attic space
adding dormers along knee walls
covert #garage space
convert basement space
Adding a story
Part 9 - Drawing it out
Document the existing house
measure
draw
Plan your rooms
Home office
New Bathroom
Kitchen
Bedroom
Part 10 - SuperStructure
Foundation
Loads
In this video I walk you through the 10 major phases of planning to build an addition on your house.
Step 1 - Why are you considering building - 0:25
Step 2 - Recouping Value - 1:36
Step 3 - Paying for it - 4:39
Step 4 - Labor - 5:49
Step 5 - Design - 7:06
Step 6 - Legal - 8:50
Step 7 - Site Planning - 9:20
Step 8 - The Existing House - 11:46
Step 9 - Draw it out - 15:03
Step 10 - Super Structure - 18:38
1. Planning your addition
Part 1 - Why add on?
Make a List from each family member
Major Problems
Needs
Wants
Prioritize the list
Define the solutions next to each problem
Think about this list in terms of Going Forward
Ask around, feedback of friends and family
Part 2 - Recouping Value
Should you Move or Improve
How much to improve
Don't improve more than neighboring houses
Try not to spend more than 20% above the value of your house
If no one else is improving? don't.
Don't make it to customized (re-sale)
Remember capital gains (keep receipts)
Consider Room Cost / Value
#garage - 30% back
Leisure - 100% back
Bathroom 40% back
Kitchens - 120% back
Create dual use rooms (bed, office, living room)
Part 3 - Paying for it
Costs
Get a lot of Quotes
Financing
HELOC, or Loan
2nd mortgage
Refinance
Read more in the book
Part 4 - The labor
Do I really want to do it?
Am I and able to do it successfully?
Do I have the time?
Do I have the tools
Can I save enough money to justify doing it?
How will this affect my household, family role
Is there some other benefit to me doing it
Part 5 - Design
Architects
Engineers
Mech
Elec
Civil
Specialists
Interior
Kitchen and Bath
Landscape
Design-Builders
Part 6 - Legal
Local zoning
don't give up
variances
The house
Part 7 - Site Planning
sun wind cars and neighbors
Slopes
Existing site features
water sewer
well heads
septic systems
buried lines
elec
tele
gas
paved areas
Expensive areas to destroy
Part 8 - The existing house
Internal Flow
Where key rooms are that can't change
bathrooms
kitchens
laundry
rooms that can?
Where can you add on?
Bearing walls?
Additions without breaking ground
Bump outs
attic space
adding dormers along knee walls
covert #garage space
convert basement space
Adding a story
Part 9 - Drawing it out
Document the existing house
measure
draw
Plan your rooms
Home office
New Bathroom
Kitchen
Bedroom
Part 10 - SuperStructure
Foundation
Loads
