Home additions
You shouldn't be able to tell where the old ends and the new begins.
Rear or side addition, or an added storey: drawings, permit, foundation, structure, tie-in to the existing house and finishes. On a fixed contract, the detailed budget and schedule are set before day one.
A home addition, step by step
10 steps · 10 hold pointsYou shouldn't see
where the old ends.
Same floor height, same roof pitch, two valleys. Here the roof goes on just before finishing so you can see inside; on site, it comes earlier.
Hold point
What we do
- 01
Design and permit
Survey of the existing house, drawings with a technologist or architect, permit application.
- 02
Structure
New foundation, tie-in to the house, beams and openings in load-bearing walls, sized by an engineer.
- 03
Building envelope
Continuous insulation, air and vapour barriers, joined to those of the existing house.
- 04
Mechanical
Heating, ventilation, plumbing and electrical extended.
- 05
Finishes
Floor heights, trim and materials matched to the existing house.
How it goes
- 01
Feasibility
What your lot and zoning allow: setbacks, height, floor area.
- 02
Drawings and permit
Detailed drawings, structural calculations, permit filing. The timeline depends on the municipality.
- 03
Structure
Foundation, framing, roof, windows: the addition is closed in.
- 04
Tie-in
We open into the house at the end, once the addition is closed in and insulated.
- 05
Handover
Interior and exterior finishes, deficiency list with you.
The hold points.
Every point is checked and photographed. The photos go into your portal.
- 01Footing formwork and rebar checked before the pour.
- 02Framing and anchors checked before closing in.
- 03Air barrier tie-in with the existing house inspected and photographed.
- 04Mechanical inspected before the walls are closed.
Permits and rules
Every addition needs a building permit and must comply with zoning: setbacks, height, lot coverage. Depending on the municipality, drawings signed by a professional are required. We prepare the file and coordinate the professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an architect?
It depends on the municipality and the size of the project. We coordinate the required technologist, architect or engineer.
Can we live in the house during the work?
In most cases, yes. The opening into the existing house is made at the end, once the addition is closed in.
How do you hide the junction?
Materials, floor heights and trim are chosen at the drawing stage to match the existing house.
What if you find a problem once things are open?
We stop the work, show you what we found and price the fix at cost, with no margin, from the amount set aside with you for surprises. We resume once you say yes.
Let's talk about your project.
A visit, measurements, then a detailed budget. If the budget does not allow the work to be done properly, we will tell you at the first meeting.
Request a quote