Planning a Home Addition in Montgomery County, Maryland

Adding onto your home can increase property value and give your living space more functionality. As you take the time to plan building details, you can get the most for your time and money. Careful research and planning can also help you meet local regulations in Montgomery County and ensure your satisfaction with the final results.

The following steps can prepare you for success when completing a Montgomery County, Maryland, home addition.

Define Project Goals

Before beginning your home addition project, clarify the purpose behind your addition. If you know how you want to use the space, you will know which type of addition is best for your goals.

Consider questions such as:

• Do you need to create a comfortable living space for a family member?
• Would you like to expand an entertainment area?
• Do you need to designate a space as a home office?
• Would you like to enjoy more views of your natural surroundings or neighborhood?

Answering these questions can help you determine the right type of addition for your home and personal preferences. Types of additions include:

• A second or third story: Building a second-story addition to your home can give you stunning views, open up living spaces and enhance your ability to entertain.
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Secondary housing units are versatile, enabling you to expand your space for any need.
• In-law suites: Adding a private living space on your primary property gives your family greater flexibility and comfort.
• Sunrooms: This addition allows you to enjoy natural beauty while adding more living space to your home.
• Master suite: Enhance your enjoyment and satisfaction with a master suite designed to accommodate your unique tastes and needs.
• Kitchen additions: Whether you want more space for gathering and entertaining or an updated kitchen with every convenience, a kitchen addition can help you reach your goals

Assess Current Space and Floor Plan

Once you know what kind of addition you would like to build, evaluate the space you have to work with. Examine your house’s existing layout for functionality and compatibility with your planned addition. One way to maximize your existing space is to consult a design-build firm. They can create functional layout options that work with your design preferences and add value to your home. These firms can provide 3D models that help you visualize what your addition could look like.

When planning your addition, you will need to consider your property’s size and any neighborhood restrictions. Building up or out will depend on factors such as:

• Convenience: You may need to move out of your home for a couple of months if you plan to build a second or third story. You may be able to remain at home when building out on the ground level.
• Square footage: Building up will depend on your home’s existing footprint, while building out will depend on your property size.
• Room type: Certain additions, such as kitchens, are better suited for the ground floor, while others, such as bedrooms, are easily integrated into upper floors.
• Zoning laws: Individual neighborhoods, each city and Montgomery County have various regulations that may restrict building up or out depending on your specific area and property.
• Building codes: Pay attention to state and county specifications for residential construction that may affect project feasibility, such as Maryland bedroom requirements for windows, electricity and head clearance.

Collect Design Ideas and Inspiration

You spend a lot of time in your home — you should love each room’s functionality and aesthetic. As you begin your home addition project, figure out what styles and layouts you like and do not like. Gather design ideas from social media platforms, home design magazines, professional designer websites, local remodel showcases or the homes of friends and family members.

You can organize your ideas by saving images to a photo album on your phone or creating a vision board or idea binder. Start to consolidate your design preferences and establish a cohesive style. With your inspiration collected in one place, you can engage a designer to turn your vision into reality.

Establish a Realistic Budget

Developing a comprehensive budget will prepare you for any circumstances that may arise during construction. Costs can fluctuate throughout the project’s duration, so be sure to account for unexpected expenses, such as weather disruptions or material delays.

Your budget should include items such as:

• Materials
• Labor
• Permits
• Site preparation
• Electrical and plumbing requirements
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs
• Interior finishes
• Contingency funds

The cost of a home addition in Montgomery County will depend on the type of addition you are planning. Home improvements can bring a high return on investment, though initial costs can come with notable considerations. Depending on your goals, budget and personal situation, you may wish to use various financing methods to fund your project. Some financial planning options include:

• Personal savings: Financing your home addition through cash is a straightforward and easy method.
• Home equity loans: Commonly known as a second mortgage, a home equity loan allows you to take out a loan and pay it back with your mortgage.
• A home equity line of credit (HELOC): Receive a revolving line of credit to borrow only as much as you need for your project.
• Credit cards: Using a credit card can help you take advantage of travel or cash-back benefits while working on your home addition.

 

Complete Montgomery County’s Building Permit Process

As you prepare for your home addition, familiarize yourself with local zoning regulations, Montgomery County building codes, municipality requirements and policies from neighborhood or homeowners associations. Note any private deed restrictions or covenants that regulate construction. Learning about these laws, regulations and restrictions can help you determine project feasibility and avoid code violations.

Montgomery County building permit requirements state that you need a permit if you plan to extend the house’s area, height or overall footprint. You will also need a permit to add any accessory structures, such as ADUs, on your property. You can obtain a permit through the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS). Its process instructs you to:

1. Apply for a Permit

Learn about which permits you will need for your specific addition. Montgomery County home addition forms you may need to fill out include:

• Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit
• Addition building permit
• Drainage plan
• Homeowner electrical permit
• Mechanical permit
• Professional electrical permit
• Required inspections
• Restoration of ROW permit
• Roadside tree plan
• Septic system permit
• Small land disturbance activity
• Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) plumbing
• Well permit

Home additions that require a building permit in Montgomery County, Maryland, include those that extend the height or area of your home. Whether you plan to expand a living space or add a room to your house in Montgomery County, you will need a permit. You can apply for one online at any time. Be prepared to pay a nonrefundable filing fee when you submit your application.

2. Submit Plans

The Montgomery County DPS uses an online platform to organize documents, drawings and other important information related to your project. You will need to submit your plans on this platform for review. Include detailed drawings, specifications and supporting documentation for your addition. The online platform outlines specific submittal requirements that ensure documents are organized for review.

3. Wait for Plan Review

DPS plan reviewers will look over your drawings and documents to ensure your addition complies with local and Montgomery County, Maryland, building codes. If the reviewers determine your plans are adequate, they will give them a stamp of approval for code compliance. If your plans need correction, you will receive a notification. You can re-upload your corrected plans onto the online platform.

It takes about 17 calendar days to get a building permit in Montgomery County, Maryland. The DPS maintains this standard for most residential building permit applications. Some applications may also need to be reviewed and approved by the WSSC, which can take longer.

Sometimes, the review process for a permit in Montgomery County can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of your project or if reviewers need to request additional information or clarification about drawings and documents.

4. Pay Permit Fees and Get Your Permit

How much a permit costs to add a room or other addition will depend on the type of addition you are planning. You can pay Montgomery County building permit fees online, by mail or in person at the DPS office. You will receive your permit after paying all of the fees and meeting any other Montgomery County home addition requirements set by the DPS. Your permit and approved plans will be available on the online platform, though you will need to print out hard copies to keep on-site for inspectors.

5. Post Your Notification Sign

You will receive a yellow Sign of Public Notification of Construction in person or in the mail after the DPS has issued your permit. Post this notification sign on your property within three business days of getting it, and keep it posted for 30 days after your permit is issued. The sign should be easy to see. Mount it within 30 to 60 inches above the ground and within 5 feet from the front of your property line.

This notification sign will be the first thing inspected by the DPS. You can only proceed with other inspections once the DPS inspector has seen it.

6. Build the Addition

With your permit and notification sign in place, you are ready to begin building. Keep your permit on-site and available for inspectors. Maintain meticulous records of your home addition, including approved plans, permits, inspections and other critical documentation. These notes can help with any future modifications you want to make or if you decide to sell the property.

All construction must conform with your approved drawings and documents. If you need to request changes, you can submit a permit revision with details about what needs to be adjusted. The DPS staff will review the changes and recalculate fees.

Schedule Required Inspections

The DPS requires various types of inspections throughout the construction process to ensure compliance with Montgomery County building code and zoning requirements. You will need to schedule inspections at least 24 hours before the day you need them. You can schedule most inspections online with information such as your permit type, permit number and contact ID number. WSSC must perform some inspections, so you will need to contact the organization to arrange those.

The amount and type of inspections you will need depends on your specific project, but most home additions require inspections such as:

• Footing: For additions that expand the ground floor, you will need a footing inspection to ensure the soil can support the structure’s weight and that footings are built to specification.
• Framing: Inspectors will verify that the building’s framing, foundation and other frame systems are structurally sound.
• Electrical: An electrical inspection ensures all electrical systems are safe and up to code.
• Plumbing: The inspector will assess plumbing lines, fixtures and drainage systems to ensure they meet code.
• Final: During a final inspection for your building permit in Montgomery County, the inspector verifies that the work completed aligns with approved plans and meets all applicable Montgomery County building codes.

Depending on your property size and the type of home addition you are planning, you may need to schedule inspections such as:

• Drainage preconstruction
• Foundation/parging or backfill
• WSSC groundworks
• Concrete slab-on-ground floor
• Masonry fireplace/chimney
• Wall bracing
• Insulation
• Drainage maintenance
• Partner With a Design-Build Firm

Partner With a Design-Build Firm

A home addition is a big project with many details that must be taken care of to ensure safety and compliance with local laws. Investing in professional support is one of the best ways to ensure your home addition is compliant, safe and successful. These professionals can help you navigate the complex challenges of designing and constructing an addition.

Working with a full-service design-build firm gives you access to expertise. These design and construction experts can streamline each stage of the building process to ensure your addition aligns with your vision, budget and local building laws and regulations. Design-build firms can manage the entire process, including:

• Design: Professional designers who are up to date on the latest trends have the skills and knowledge to help you design a functional and aesthetic space. They will ensure that the layout works with your existing home.
• Permitting: You can trust a local professional design-build firm to handle the county’s permitting and inspection processes for you. Construction experts can ensure regulatory compliance and quality work throughout your project.
• Construction: When you partner with a professional, you can sit back and watch your dream home become reality. These professionals will coordinate every detail to produce quality construction and manage compliance with approved plans.

Build a Home Addition With Help From Ideal Construction & Remodeling

Ideal Construction & Remodeling is a local family-owned business dedicated to helping our community members achieve their vision for their homes. As a full-service design-build firm, we can provide the professional guidance you need for a smoother, more efficient building process. We will assist in drawing plans, getting Montgomery County permits, completing construction and everything else you need to enjoy a seamless building experience.

Contact us today to schedule a free in-home consultation for your addition.

 

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