Home Improvement Ideas: Room Addition / Home Remodeling

New Room Addition

what's needed
Starting a new room addition usually takes a 4-step process. You basically need to formulate the idea, draw up a floor plan, start the building and add the final touches.

Product Directory:

step1: get ideas
step2: design the floor plan
step3: build and renovate
step4: complete the finishing touches
drywall information
electrical wiring information
plumbing information
wired home electronics information

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Step1: Get Ideas

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View Our Gallery	From HGTV	Other Design Ideas
for the attic	bathroom	view our Home Remodeling Idea Center
for the upstairs	bedroom	PBS This Old House:
for the main floor	children's	interactive interior design from chameleonpower.com
for the basement	colors	HomeTime.com project category
for the garage	design principles	search "home/family" articles
for the exterior home	ergonomic	remodeling books from b4ubuild.com
for home projects	feng shui
for the outside garden	dining room
	foyer / entryway
	hallway / stairway
	home theater
	kitchen
	living area
	loft
	office / workplace
	other
	porch / sunroom
	small space
	themes
	tips / tricks

Step2: Design the Floor Plan

Find Floor Plans
view our floor plan directory

Use Software to Design Your Plan
compare: design software

Find an Architect
find a pre-screened architect or draftsman

Making Your Room Energy Efficient from U.S. DOE:
building design-plans-resources
energy savers booklet

Step3: Build and Renovate

Link to our Home Remodeling Specification Sheet (Free Download) for detail review of home remodeling specifications and tips:

link for remodeling specification plan

Any opening of walls that changes the structural look of your home may require permits from your local inspection department and community association.
Also, most if not all states, counties and cities set standard building codes for their respective area. You should check with your local jurisdiction on building permits and codes:

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Permits	Codes	For Older Homes	DIY Guides	Find Contractor
contact local inspection office	www.b4ubuild.com	home inspection	framing step-by-step	search home contractors
	decoding building codes	preservation-rehabilitation guides	do-it yourself resources
	list: standard building codes	structural issues	check standard building codes

Step4: Complete the Finishing Touches

See Individual Project Modules
doors and windows
floors
home entertainment
lighting
computer / study area
walls and ceiling
decorating ideas
interactive interior design from chameleonpower.com

Drywall Information

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Information	Permits	How-To	Older Homes	Find Contractor
about drywall	all about permits	from hometime.com	wall and ceilings	search drywall contractor
drywall resources	drywall building codes	from doityourself.com	repairing plaster walls

Electrical Wiring Information

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Information	Permits	How-To	Older Homes	Find Contractor
"basics" of home wiring	all about permits	from doityourself.com	lighting and electrical	search electrical contractor
electrical resources	wiring building codes	from hometime.com

Plumbing Information

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Information	Find Plumbing Contractor
plumbing chat	search plumbing contractor
plumbing products
plumbing repair page: from kissler.com
plumbing forums: from findplumbing.com
plumbing doctor: from stemdoctor.com
plumbing repair: from doityourself.com

Wired Home Electronics Information

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About Wired Home	Wireless Controls	Software	Home Controls
wired home for do-it yourself	electronic touchpads: litetouch	Intel AnyPoint® home network	www.smarthome.com
wired home architects	Crestron residential controls	Microsoft home networking	www.homecontrols.com
CEDIA electronic association	Vantage home automation	GE Smart home systems	Leviton integrated networks
	lighting control systems	home automation for Macintosh
	X-10 home solutions

Find a Contractor

Additions and Remodels

Appraisers

Architects - Inspectors

Cleaning Services

Electrical - Appliances

Painting and Staining

Loan-to-Value (LTV) Calculation


Enter the estimated market value of your home: see market values page $
Enter the amount that you still owe on your home plus any 2nd or 3rd mortgages, if any: $
^*
	Market Value	Borrowing Amt
70% LTV	$	$
80% LTV	$	$
90% LTV	$	$
100% LTV	$	$
* Calculations are based upon the assumptions you entered. Please note that rounding errors can make a small difference in calculations.