If your home is tight on space and your family is still growing, it's time to consider getting a home addition. When real estate prices are high, you may prefer to add on to your current home rather than risk overspending on a new home.

Plus, if you love where you live, adding more space seems like the best solution. Find a remodeling contractor that does custom additions so they can help you plan, design, and build your new space. Here are important decisions to make.

How To Use The New Space

The purpose of your custom addition might depend on how well the rest of your home can be repurposed. You might want a large gourmet kitchen. If so, the remodeling contractor may need to change your old kitchen into one or two bedrooms, or a bedroom and bath.

If you want to keep costs as low as possible, you may want to keep the rest of your home intact and just add on a new bathroom and bedroom, or a new family room. You could even add a family room that can be converted into a bedroom easily when you have overnight guests.

How To Add Utilities To The Room

Your custom addition will probably need climate control. You might tie into your existing HVAC, but if that's not possible, you might use a window AC that turns into a heater in the winter. You could also add a mini-split heat pump. The remodeling contractor can help you decide on the best way to spend your money so you stay within budget.

It depends on how you'll use the room too, since you'll want your kids' bedroom to be comfortable during all seasons of the year. Installing water is another important consideration since water pipes, drain, and vent stack need to be added. Hooking into an existing pipe through a neighboring wall is a good choice if it's possible.

How To Meet Building Codes

Your remodeling contractor needs to let the city review the plans for your custom addition. They'll also need to obtain a permit and have inspections done. Building codes specify how the addition should be built, especially if utilities are added. Local codes also state where on your property an addition is allowed.

Your contractor knows local codes and will make sure you're kept informed of them as you go through the planning and building process so you know you're in compliance. Your addition can't be on an easement, too close to a property line, or outside of the setback area. You'll want to know these limitations up front so you choose just the right spot for your new addition.

Contact a local company to learn more about custom additions.