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5 Home Addition Tips: South Dakota

Updated: August 6, 2024

Adding square footage to an existing structure is a fantastic way to enhance your home's functionality and bump up the resale value of your South Dakota property.

Planning is the most important aspect of home renovations, whether expanding your living space; adding a new bedroom, bathroom, or office; or building a sunroom to enjoy those bright, sunny days.

We understand how stressful breaking ground on a new remodeling project can be. It's overwhelming having to source multiple subcontractors, obtain zoning permission, set a realistic budget, choose paint colors, and decide on the final exterior finishes.

Luckily, we've got some expert tips to ensure a smooth and successful home addition project.

Consider Your Needs

Tip 1: Consider Your Needs

Before starting your new home addition, you need to know what type of extension you want and what it will be used for.

It's worth thinking beyond your immediate needs (e.g. will your family grow?) and designing a flexible space that allows for future adjustments/remodels.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Conventional house addition: Expands your existing space, often adding rooms or extending current ones.
  • Room addition: Focuses on adding a completely new space such as a bedroom, bathroom, home gym, office, or family room.
  • Second story addition: Adds increased floor space to the existing home without compromising ground-level square footage.
  • Sunroom addition: This creates a bright and airy space, connecting your home to the outdoors. It's great for enjoying South Dakota's natural beauty!
  • Garage addition: Provides additional parking, storage, or even a workshop/gym area. Alternatively, converting a garage into additional living spaces requires elements like flooring, ceilings, and door replacement.
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) addition: A self-contained living space on your property, perfect for extended family or generating rental income. These can be attached to the main house or freestanding units.

Once you know what the new space will be used for, you require planning permission and zoning permits.

Get The Correct Zoning Permits

Tip 2: Get The Correct Zoning Permits

Building permits are non-negotiable. Skipping this step can lead to costly delays, fines, or even put your construction project on hold. Here's how to navigate South Dakota's zoning regulations, ensuring compliance with local building codes.

Know your zone

The first step is to understand your property's zoning assignment. This will determine what types of additions are allowed and any size restrictions. Contact your local planning and zoning department to obtain this information.

Here are a few references:

Research permit requirements

Each municipality in South Dakota has its own permit requirements for home additions. These can include:

  • Building permits
  • Remodeling permits
  • Electrical permits
  • Utility permits - gas, electric, water
  • ADU permits
  • Plumbing permits
  • Mechanical permits (HVAC)

The specific permits needed will depend on the complexity of your addition. You must submit:

  • Detailed plans/diagrams showing how the proposed addition will be constructed.
  • Approximate cost of the project.

Additionally, make sure you have a copy of your current property's plot plans (from your local registry/Registry of Deeds office) to ensure the home extension does not breach property lines or encroach on neighbors.

Building fees typically range between $150 and $7,500 but vary based on the value of the construction project. These fees are used to cover the cost of reviewing the plans and conducting inspections.

Pro insight: Work must begin within 180 days of the permit being issued.

Inform your neighbors

It's worth telling your neighbors about your home renovations, especially when it comes to second-story additions or building structures near boundary walls/property lines.

The last thing you want is for a disgruntled neighbor to report your renovation to the local zoning office, which can cause severe construction delays.

Plan for inspections

Inspections at various stages of construction are required once permits have been applied for and after the construction has been done. Be sure to schedule these inspections well in advance to avoid delays. A qualified general contractor can help you navigate this process.

Pro insight: Final inspection (post-construction) costs range between $200 and $500.

Consider professional help

Many homeowners opt for professional services to help navigate zoning regulations and the permitting process. Hiring a licensed architect, HVAC contractor, design professional, and/or general contractor familiar with South Dakota building codes can save you time, money, and frustration.

You can set your budget once permits and zoning requirements have been approved.

Set A Realistic Budget

Tip 3: Set A Realistic Budget

Budgeting is the cornerstone of any successful renovation or building project. It ensures you stay on track financially.

The cost of a home addition can vary significantly, ranging from $4,300 for small projects to up to $150,000+ for large-scale home renovations.

You must have sufficient funding to complete the entire scope of work, whether it's from personal savings or applying for a payment schedule through a home equity loan.

Budgeting tips

  • Know your maximum spend: This must include everything from conception to completion, such as building, demolition, permits, materials, labor, design, and decor.
  • Explore financing options: If necessary, research financing options (e.g. a home equity loan) through your bank or other financial providers to help manage construction costs.
  • Gather quotes: Collect quotes from various building contractors, architects, and designers. This can help you negotiate better deals. Research average material costs, labor, and permits in your area to ensure you're not being overcharged.
  • Factor in hidden costs: Don't forget to account for unexpected expenses like demolition, waste removal, and potential upgrades to existing systems (electrical, plumbing, etc.).
  • Have a contingency fund: Set aside an additional 10% - 15% of your overall budget for unforeseen costs, such as building delays, pre- and post-inspections, and material price increases.

Estimate costs

  • Second story addition: Between $50,000 and $500,000 depending on the scope of work.
  • Build a room above the garage: Averaging around $40 per square foot.
  • Modular (pre-fabricated) addition: Roughly 20% - 30% cheaper than traditional home extensions.
  • Build a dormer (specific roof structures): $24,000 on average.
  • Basement remodeling addition: Anywhere between $3,000 and $30,000.
  • Kitchen remodeling addition: Starting from $10,000, based on the scope of work.
  • Bathroom addition: From $5,000 (for small projects); increases your home's ROI by 70%!
  • Porch enclosures: Range from $15,000 to $25,000 with a 50% ROI.
  • Bump-out addition: Around 30% less than traditional room additions.

Once your budget is set, you can begin the design process.

Start Designing

Tip 4: Start Designing

Now that you've considered your needs, local regulations, and budget, it's time to bring your vision to life! Here's how you can design an addition that complements your existing home and thrives in South Dakota's unique seasons:

Embrace the sunshine

South Dakota boasts beautiful sunny days. Large windows, skylights, bump-out additions, dormers, and sunrooms can maximize natural light and create a bright and inviting atmosphere.

Prepare for harsh weather

South Dakota experiences harsh winters and snowfall. Prepare for this weather with these design tips:

  • Insulation: Proper insulation throughout the addition is crucial for year-round comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Roof load: South Dakota receives significant snowfall. Ensure your roof can handle the weight by choosing a strong design and slope/pitch that promotes snow removal.
  • Climate control: South Dakota experiences extremes in temperature. An efficient heating and cooling system, sized appropriately for your expanded living space, is essential.

Architectural style

Strive for a seamless transition between your existing home and the addition. Consider replicating rooflines (and roofing materials), walls, windows, doors, and overall aesthetics for a cohesive look.

Choose durable materials

Long-lasting building materials and finishes ensure your foundation, walls, windows, doors, and design style last for years to come. Opting for a neutral color palette for the shell - walls, floors, counters, cabinets - prevents the design, build, and decor from outdating too quickly.

Here's a list of strong, durable materials:

  • Concrete - foundations
  • Insulating concrete forms/brick - walls
  • Steel/timber - framework and supporting beams
  • Aluminum - windows, doors

Hire professionals to bring your design ideas to life.

Hire Professionals

Tip 5: Hire Professionals

A successful home addition hinges on skilled professionals. While DIY jobs may be rewarding, professional contractors, such as Sioux Falls Home Remodeling, offer peace of mind.

Here's why hiring a general contractor (and other professionals) is important:

  • Expertise and experience: Licensed contractors have the knowledge and experience to navigate complex construction projects. They understand South Dakota building codes, permitting processes, and best practices for local conditions.
  • Quality workmanship: A qualified contractor and design professional ensure your addition is built to last, using high-quality materials and adhering to proper construction and configuration techniques.
  • Project management: Reputable contractors manage the entire project, from scheduling subcontractors to overseeing inspections. This saves you time and stress and allows you to focus on the exciting aspects of your new living spaces.
  • Peace of mind: Working with licensed and insured professionals provides peace of mind. They're responsible for liability and ensure the project adheres to safety regulations.

3 Common Home Addition Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

Our friends at Baywater (amazing custom home builders) recommend avoiding these common home addition mistakes:

1. Ignoring permits and regulations

This can lead to costly delays and fines.

Solution:

  • Contact your local building department early on to understand zoning restrictions and permitting requirements for your specific addition.
  • Always obtain the necessary permits before starting any construction work.

2. Underestimating the budget

A low budget and/or unexpected costs can derail your project.

Solution:

  • Factor in ALL costs, including permits, materials, labor, demolition, and waste removal, potential upgrades to existing systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) to accommodate the addition. Add a buffer of 10% - 15% for unforeseen expenses.
  • Get detailed quotes from several qualified contractors and compare them before finalizing your budget.

3. Poor communication with the contractor

Clear communication is key to ensuring a smooth new home addition for you and the general contractor.

Solution:

  • Maintain consistent communication with your contractor throughout the project.
  • Discuss expectations, timelines, budgets, and any changes promptly. Don't hesitate to ask questions and ensure you understand everything agreed upon.

FAQs

What's the average price for home additions in the USA?

American home additions cost around $46,000, as per the 2023 national average.

What's the best way to add to an existing home?

The best home additions include a second story, basement and attic/loft conversions, and patio enclosures.

Are home extensions a good idea?

In our opinion: Yes!
A home addition is a great way to increase your home's size (i.e. square footage) without the stress of moving to a bigger property. However, home extensions are a costly investment that requires careful consideration. You must ensure the current property is suitable for additional builds.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it - a complete rundown of the best home addition tips and how to action them.

Careful planning, having the correct zoning, and a realistic budget are the most important aspects for the success of your new space; whether it's a single-room addition, bathroom extension, or complete home renovation.

Chat with the Sioux Falls Home Remodeling team today: South Dakota's #1 home remodeling company.

Happy renovating!

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