5 MinsMarch 16, 2020
When you purchase or build your house, you decide on the size based on either your budget or your family’s requirements. But as the years pass, you may feel the need for a bigger house. Your kids may want a room where they can spend time
with their friends. Your aged parents may have special needs that call for modifications in the house. Or now, with a higher salary, you feel you can afford a bigger house.
For those living in flats, the only option is to purchase another bigger flat. But if you live in an independent house you have the option of building an additional floor or adding some extra rooms. Here are some simple tips to help ease the process.
In case you have an existing home loan, you can avail of Axis Bank’s Top-up Home Loan and Loan Against Property (LAP) to modify your home so that it meets all your needs. Else you can even avail of a Home Loan for home renovation.
1) FSI/FAR
The first and foremost thing that you need to figure out is whether the local municipal regulations allow you to build more. The amount of built-up area on any given plot is governed by what is called the Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area
Ratio (FAR). (The two terms mean the same). This is set by the municipal authorities and differs from city to city and between different localities in the same city.
What it means is that if you plot measures say, 1,500 square feet and the FSI/FAR is one, you can only have a built-up area of 1,500 sq ft. If the FSI is 2, you could build up to 3,000 square feet.
So, check the plot size, see if you have extra FSI and how much, before you decide to build that extra floor or room. Remember that violation of FSI norms could result in the municipal authorities demolishing the illegal construction and/or levy
heavy fines.
2) Consult an architect/structural engineer
Now that you have established that you have the extra FSI, consult an architect and/or a structural engineer to ensure that the original construction has the strength to take the weight of the additional floor/rooms. You wouldn’t want to
endanger the safety of your existing house, would you?
Also Read: [What are Top-Up Loans?]
3) Upwards, Downwards or Side Ways?
You have the option of either adding a floor, a basement or constructing additional rooms in your yard. The decision on this should be determined by what the additional space is going to be used for, as well as geography.
For example, if you need additional living space, it might be a good idea to add a floor or build more rooms in your yard that are connected to the main house. If on the other hand, you are looking at an office you could look at a basement or
an additional room in the yard without going upwards. A recreation room for the kids may be ideal in a basement.
Just keep in mind a few things. A basement may not be a good idea if your locality is prone to flooding. Also, take care of ventilation and light. Similarly, if your aged parents are likely to stay on the top floor, you may want to invest in an
elevator for their convenience.
4) Managing Construction
When you undertake any kind of construction work you have to deal with dust and noise. Besides, managing workers is another job that will require different kinds of skills. One option is to let the architect and contractor handle the mess. But
this may not always be possible. You have to figure out what works best for you.
5) Financing options
If you have an existing home loan, you can opt for a Home Loan Top-up. It can be used for the construction of residential/commercial property, or any other personal or
commercial purpose. If you don’t have an existing home loan, you can leverage your home and avail of a LAP to finance the additional construction. A LAP can be availed against either a residential or commercial property.
Disclaimer: This article has been authored by The Source, a Mumbai-based content creation, and curation firm. Axis Bank does not influence the views of the author in any way. Axis Bank and The Source shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.
