Master Suite addition, where do I start?

[maddogchen]

I'm thinking of building a master suite addition to my house. Anyone done that before? where do you start? Reading it seems to cost around $100,000 for a bedroom+bath+walk in closet. Do I start with a General Contractor or an architect first? Am I looking for a company that has a whole team?

Thanks!

 

[KeithTalent]

Don't you have to start with the city first?

KT

 

[SillyOReilly]

Some nails and 2x4's

 

[sdifox]

wtf, 100k should buy you a redo of whole house interior.

 

[Saint Nick]

I think you could do better than 100k.

 

[maddogchen]

interesting... I kept finding 100k as the rough estimate for a master suite addition, especially in the bay area, CA

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/san-francisco--ca.aspx

 

[maddogchen]

Don't you have to start with the city first?

KT

Yes, I did contact them to see that yes I can build an addition. Its just going to be a first floor addition.

 

[rasczak]

Yes, I did contact them to see that yes I can build an addition. Its just going to be a first floor addition.

Unless you actually have a permit in hand, then no. Unless you are remodeling the interior of your house and not actually adding an extension?

 

[RaistlinZ]

Will adding a master bedroom addition even raise the value of your home by $100k?

 

[quikah]

Will adding a master bedroom addition even raise the value of your home by $100k?

Bay Area, CA. Painting the door will raise it $100k.

 

[Gibson486]

Normally, you hire a GC, but the issue you will run into is that you will not have drawings and you will have to describe what you want. So, you could go to an architect, but it will slow down the process, and it will cost more, but it was also ensure you get what you want. if anything, I would avoid going to a "we do all" GC. I would not want my GC doing a drawing. Of course, when you separate the work, you do a lot of the leg work yourself.

And 100K sounds right if it is an addition and not just interior remodeling.

 

[maddogchen]

Normally, you hire a GC, but the issue you will run into is that you will not have drawings and you will have to describe what you want. So, you could go to an architect, but it will slow down the process, and it will cost more, but it was also ensure you get what you want. if anything, I would avoid going to a "we do all" GC. I would not want my GC doing a drawing. Of course, when you separate the work, you do a lot of the leg work yourself.

And 100K sounds right if it is an addition and not just interior remodeling.

So I should go to an architect first and get a drawing and then find the GC? Do you think 100k sounds right with an architect involved? I've read that an architect can add 10% to the costs.

And yes its an addition to the house, not interior remodeling.

 

[zinfamous]

Bay Area, CA. Painting the door will raise it $100k.

no it won't.

sorry, let me elaborate.

My brother bought their house in Redwood City for ~$850k in early 2008. It's a decent neighborhood, location, great space and size for Bay Area; though it was only 1.5 bathroom (only shower was in "master suite.").

Shortly before he died in December, 2009, a renovation of the .5 bathroom was finished to bring it to a full 2nd bathroom--which is a big deal considering that the only other full bathroom was attached to a bedroom.

Anyway, value is now ~....$850k.

:\

 

[maddogchen]

Will adding a master bedroom addition even raise the value of your home by $100k?

My house is currently 2 bed 1 bath. Adding a master suite to make it 3 bed 2 bath, I do see 3 beds 2 baths selling for 50-100k more in my area depending on how the house views.

But more importantly for me, it'll be nicer to have a bigger house and 2 bathrooms.

 

[Gibson486]

It depends...You can do it any way you want, just make sure it is legal. The more people involved, the more it will cost, the more red tape you will make for each person involved, and the slower the process will be, but it comes at the expense of making sure you get what you want. Some companies can do everything in house, others cannot. It is up to you. I would not do it without an architect involved. The last thing I would want is for the GC to figure it out as he goes along....

 

[Blieb]

My brother bought their house in Redwood City for ~$850k in early 2008 ............. Anyway, value is now ~....$850k.
:\

Sounds like it increased the value quite a bit if it hasn't gone down.

 

[vi edit]

I think your best bet right now is to start shopping general contractors for the best reviews/showings of their work/word of mouth and start feeling them out for costs, time frames, and feasibility.

A well qualified, competent GC will have access to an architect to draw up plans/stamp the engineering and will do all of the paperwork filing with the county/township. He'll come out, size up your house, look over things, and submit the plans to the architect and bring you back a sketch up and a price on everything.

You'll pay dearly for it, but in your situation it's worth the extra money since you don't really sound like you are really familiar with the construction/remodel business.

 

[K1052]

Bay Area, CA. Painting the door will raise it $100k.

In SF proper you'd be correct. People are beating the shit out of each other to pay way above ask in any halfway decent neighborhood. The rest of the peninsula...not so much anymore.

 

[Greenman]

interesting... I kept finding 100k as the rough estimate for a master suite addition, especially in the bay area, CA

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/san-francisco--ca.aspx

Pm me, I can give you plenty of advice at the very least. I've been building room additions in the Bay Area for twenty six years.

 

[Greenman]

It depends...You can do it any way you want, just make sure it is legal. The more people involved, the more it will cost, the more red tape you will make for each person involved, and the slower the process will be, but it comes at the expense of making sure you get what you want. Some companies can do everything in house, others cannot. It is up to you. I would not do it without an architect involved. The last thing I would want is for the GC to figure it out as he goes along....

That doesn't happen in the bay area. Before a single nail is driven the city or county will have carefully checked the detailed plans that will be required to build his addition. Depending on the location and how complex the project is, there could be a structural engineer involved as well. If an architect designs the addition, there will without doubt be an engineer involved.

Edit: I just noticed that with this post my join date and post count are the same.