How To Plan a Home Addition in Houston

In Houston, home additions are a great way to increase the square footage of a house

Do you live in a home of good size but need more space? Whether you create another bedroom or increase the living area, adding onto your property can seem like a complex undertaking. Houston home additions need careful planning and due diligence. With the right general contractor in the city to manage the approvals and remodeling process, you can realize the potential of expanding your existing home.

When selecting a contractor, it’s crucial to ensure they’re knowledgeable about local codes and regulations. This ensures compliance with building standards, safety protocols, and zoning requirements. At Sweeten, we offer valuable insights and guidance to help you make informed decisions throughout your renovation journey.

Sweeten matches homeowners with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Planning a Houston Home Addition: Working with contractors and architects

Unlike smaller remodeling projects, building an addition is a complex, multi-layered project. It requires a team of qualified professionals who can help you.

The general contractor you choose should have a proven track record of successfully completing similar projects. They should be able to provide you with references from past clients who can attest to their workmanship and professionalism. It’s also essential to ensure that the contractor is licensed and insured. This will protect you in the event of any accidents or damages that may occur during the construction process.

Once you have selected a qualified general contractor, they will work with you to develop a detailed plan for your home addition. This plan will include the scope of work, the materials to be used, and the estimated timeline for completion.

These projects range from design and planning to drywall work, flooring, painting, and more. Plus, these projects extend over weeks or months. There is one person who ties all of these strings together and makes it work: the general contractor.

By hiring a licensed general contractor in Houston, you can be confident that your home addition will be completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

Building Home Additions: Outward or upward?

As you plan your Houston home addition, you’ll need to make a crucial decision: whether to expand outward or upward. Building outward, like constructing a room extension or adding a patio, is generally less complex and invasive than adding a second story. However, this option might not be feasible if your lot is limited in size. On the other hand, building upward, such as adding an attic conversion or a second floor, can be a great solution if you have a smaller lot or want to maintain your yard space.

It’s a difficult question for any area, as both have their advantages and disadvantages:

Building a ground-level addition outward

Building outward means creating an addition that is at ground level. The addition is built adjacent to the existing house. At the end of the project, the wall between the two structures is opened up. Building a ground-level addition is less complex than adding to the top of a house. Plus, it is less invasive. Homeowners typically can live in the home while the addition is built.

Houston is largely a flat, one-story house city. Generally, the area has more single-story homes than double-story homes. Older, historic neighborhoods in Houston such as The Heights, Bellaire, or West U have generously-sized lots. In an era of shrinking lots, properties like this are rare opportunities for building outward.

Another upside: one-story homes are easier to cool down. Since heat rises, it collects in the second story. As a result, two-story homes are more expensive to cool.

Building a second-story addition upward

Building upward means adding a second story to the home. This type of renovation removes the roof and adds extra structural support. Then, the second story is built. With this highly invasive project, residents usually have to vacate the home for an extended period.

If your Houston property lot is not spacious, you may want to consider building upward. This preserves your yard for pets or children or for gardening.

Permits and approvals

Permitted approvals by the City of Houston are required before and after building your addition. Building plans and fees must be submitted to the city before the building begins. Numerous corrections may be required. If approved, a building permit is issued.

However, this is not your final approval. In essence, a permit is just that: It permits you to build. Once the work is finished, the addition is inspected. If approved, a final approval is then issued.

It’s best to leave permits and approvals for large projects like home additions in the hands of contractors. These professionals know how to walk your project through the permitting process to minimize delays.

Houston home additions require a plan for extreme heat

Heat and sun are part of living in the Gulf Coast region. Be sure to consider those inevitable high temperatures.

In the summer, the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest. Planning your addition with heat in mind can be as simple as orientation. If possible, orient the addition so that it does not face in the direction of the sun.

Other passive cooling methods include planting large shade trees as part of the landscaping plan. Speak with your contractor about cool roof materials coated in glass fiber and aluminum.

Your current air conditioning unit might be able to handle the increased loads of the new addition. More often, it’s a good idea to install a separate A/C unit for the addition. Mini-split air-conditioning that doesn’t require ductwork is also popular.

Ready to Get Started?

Post your renovation project on Sweeten for free and let us help you bring your vision to life. To help you plan your remodeling journey, we’ve also published articles on different design inspirations, processes, and cost guides to ensure a smooth and successful project.