# Additions

> Adding rooms: shells, foundations, framing and permits. Ask with your Sheet attached: homeowners who’ve done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

## Before you ask

The addition’s size, one story or two, the foundation you plan, and your town for permits.

- **Attach your Sheet** so people see your sizes and the math.
- **Your town is enough.** Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
- **Is it safe?** A safety question here goes to pros verified in general contracting or carpentry, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

## Addition shell

16′ × 12′ addition: 4.75 cu yd of concrete, 63 studs, 28 sheets of sheathing, 3 squares of roofing and 14 sheets of drywall.

What people get wrong:

- **Skipping the zoning check.** Setbacks, lot coverage and height decide whether the addition can be built at all.
- **Missing the floor height.** Carry the house’s floor height out before the foundation goes in: the new floor should meet it (or the step is planned), not surprise you at the doorway.
- **Backfilling unbraced walls.** Backfill before the floor is framed or the walls are braced and they can crack or move.

[The worked example, every line's math and the code notes](https://studsheet.com/sheets/addition) · [Your own sizes in the app](https://app.studsheet.com/p/addition)

## More in Walls

- [Framing and walls](https://studsheet.com/forum/framing): Building and moving interior walls, studs, plates and headers
- [Load-bearing walls and beams](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=load-bearing-walls): Taking out walls, beams, posts and what holds the house up
- [Drywall](https://studsheet.com/forum/drywall): Hanging, taping and finishing walls and ceilings
- [Drywall patches and cracks](https://studsheet.com/forum/drywall-repair): Holes, cracks, nail pops and water stains
- [Plaster walls](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=plaster): Old plaster and lath: cracks, repairs and skim coats
- [Trim and molding](https://studsheet.com/forum/trim-and-molding): Baseboard, casing, crown and chair rail
- [Interior doors](https://studsheet.com/forum/interior-doors): Hanging, adjusting and replacing doors inside the house
- [Closets and shelving](https://studsheet.com/forum/closets-and-shelves): Closet systems, shelves and built-ins
- [TV mounting](https://studsheet.com/forum/tv-mounting): Mounting TVs on drywall, studs, brick and over fireplaces
- [Media walls and feature walls](https://studsheet.com/forum/media-walls): TV walls with niches, LED strips and shelves
- [Insulation](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=insulation): Walls, attics and floors: batts, foam and blown-in
- [Soundproofing](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=soundproofing): Quieter walls, floors and ceilings
- [Every group](https://studsheet.com/forum#every-group)

## How the community works

- **Open to read** from anywhere, no account needed.
- **Sign in with your email** to ask, answer and vote. No password.
- **The best answers rise:** votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to [support@studsheet.com](mailto:support@studsheet.com).