What's a variance?

Southern Living, Feb 2003 by Martin, Robert

When properly obtained, a variance allows you to use some portion of your property's setback area for new construction. Typically, this process involves presenting your proposed plans and elevations before the local zoning or planning board. Also, your neighbors will be notified, and they'll be given the opportunity to support or object to your proposal. Then, based upon all the input, the board either grants the request or rejects it, which, in turn, should send you back to the drawing board. Remember, you won't be able to answer important questions if your building intents aren't specific.

During my years of experience at an architectural firm, I met and consulted with many homeowners who were eager to add on to their existing homes. Invariably, I found that folks were quite surprised when they discovered the costs and effects new construction would have on their daily lives. Before you take the plunge, keep these points in mind.

Good Advice Adds Up

* Just the facts. Start by answering these questions: What will my family gain from an addition? What new room or rooms will make our home more livable? How do we want it to look? Is there any space within our home that presently is not being used to its potential, such as an attic or basement? What are we willing to spend?

When it comes to building an addition, this Southern Living Homes editor offers some great advice.

* Don't forget the rest of the house. A successful addition should not only fulfill your space requirements, but it should also make sense within your existing floor plan.

* You can live in a house with the roof and walls torn off, right? That all depends on the extent of demolition required to accommodate your addition. If relocating elsewhere during construction isn't possible, devise a game plan incorporating these tips.

1. Keep at least one area of the house as clean and sane as you can. To combat dust, vacuum often, and hang up protective barriers, such as plastic sheets. Also, don't enter the building area through the existing house.

2. If your kitchen will be out of commission, plan ahead for meal preparation. Set up a microwave and other small appliances in a closet or side room, preferably near a sink. A small fridge is also a good investment.

* Get good design help. Qualified architects and residential designers can advise you on both the practical and aesthetic possibilities of an addition, along with important structural matters. Also, building codes can be confusing, and it's wise to have someone who can decipher them. Keep in mind that construction costs vary from region to region, but an addition can run anywhere from $80 to $120 per square foot. ROBERT MARTIN

Home-Improvement Survivors

Homeowners Mary Leigh and Chip Fitts, along with sons Ford (13) and Miller (10), have recently lived through a substantial home addition. Through this experience, Mary Leigh gained some insight worth noting.

* Research builders as well as their subcontractors. Make sure, first and foremost, that the contractors you're considering are bonded and carry liability insurance.

* Get at least three bids for your proposed addition, and compare price quotes of each bid carefully. Going with the lowest amount may not always be wise, particularly if certain steps or items were cut to get that price.

* Be very specific about every facet of your addition, including light fixtures, appliances, plumbing fixtures, paint colors, and so forth.

* Get a list of names and phone numbers of all the building participants-- plumbers, electricians, cabinet installers, etc. Hold on to this information long after construction's complete, just in case you need to contact them.