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We are now building an Addition--Not new house

17 years ago

I have read some posts about hiring an architect and I will say right off the bat--the nearest architect, designer, etc is 200 miles (one way). We were going to build a new house next door to where we live right now but we have beautiful views from our present home and it will block those views from the new house. We are now thinking about building an Addition to this house so that my sewing room will be on the same level as my kitchen. We will add it to the North side of the garage and since the builder said part of the roof will have to be removed and new trusses ordered we have decided to make the garage a 3-car instead of small 2-car garage. I will lose my small pantry that is on the north wall so I would also like to add a walk-in pantry and I am sure there will have to be a hallway going back to my sewing room.

Right now our garage is 22'wide x 28' long with one garage door. I don't know what would be a good size for a 3-car garage. I know we were going to make the one for our new home 40'wide x 30' long but I don't know if we need something that large. My sewing room I want 16' x 30 or 18' x 30' and my pantry I would like 8' x 10'.

I have Designer Suite 6.0 and thought I could draw the existing garage and add on from there but cannot find any information about how to do that. Since I don't have very many resources in our small town, I do not know which way to go. Our builder said he would fit us in but that I would have to get something drawn up soon so he can put us on the list. He is building 3 houses right now and will be able to start ours in the Spring. I would appreciate any suggestions about where to start.

Thanks,

Sue in Wyoming

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Comments (3)

fqp25
17 years ago
I am surprised your builder doesn't know anybody that is qualified to make design plans for you. If he does I would suggest going with his/her decisions, especially if you have used them in the past and trust them.

All plans should be reviewed by an official, especially if they involve adding/extending a footing and foundation. This usually requires an architect, or an engineer's stamp. I understand you live in a rural community but there should still be some protocol to get a project like this off the ground. Afterall, it sounds like your doing a little more than the average bathroom remodel job here.
wyosue
Original Author
17 years ago
If we lived in town I think we would have to have someone approve the plans but because we live 4 miles outside of town and live in Hot Springs County things are done differently and there is not a County Office but I can check with the town planner to see if he can help. I just thought I could get a head start on some plans before I go to his office but I don't even know where to begin.

Thanks,
Sue in Wyoming
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The average sq. ft. for a 2 car garage ranges from 19x20' to 22x26', depending on how much storage/utilities people want to set up in the garage. In our county, the minimum length for a garage is 18' (one car) with a 9' width. Hopefully this info can get you started, at least.

My advice to you is to do the foundation for as large an addition as you can. Use this opportunity to reconfigure your rooms next to the addition, if necessary. You are looking for a good "flow" between the old and new.

Smaller additions actually cost much more per sq. ft. because all the same equipment is used, regardless of how big or small the addition is, when you are talking about foundations, framing, etc.

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