For those currently in the process of expanding their home, or even if you've already bought a second-hand home and want to expand second-hand home, especially for townhouses and single-family homes looking to expand the back area for additional kitchen space, let’s explore some tips that can help make the expansion of a second-hand home as problem-free as possible or save you hundreds of thousands.

Check the Distance Between Buildings and Home Expansion Laws

            For single-story buildings and any structure not exceeding 9 meters in height, when expanding a home in the back area to create a kitchen or laundry room, if there are openings, a distance of at least 2 meters must be maintained from adjacent land. For solid walls without openings, a distance of at least 0.5 meters must be maintained from the boundary of the adjacent land unless written consent is obtained from the adjacent landowner. Additionally, the eaves and awnings must also maintain a distance of 0.5 meters from the boundary of the adjacent land.

Contracting or Payment and Work Installments with the Contractor

            Regarding the contract for renovating a second-hand home or expanding a home, it must be in accordance with the agreements between the contractor and the client to establish payment installments that align with the completion of work phases. For example, Phase 1 involves clearing the area and completing 100% of the piling, Phase 2 involves completing 100% of the foundation and 50% of the columns, and the final phase involves finishing details, cleaning the site, and handing over the work. The payment schedule starts with a 20% deposit after signing the contract for Phase 1 of the total construction cost to ensure smooth progress, with payments divided into installments until the final payment is made upon project completion and handover.

Construction Aspects

            For most second-hand homes, it is essential to check for settling issues, whether it involves piling or drilling. Expanding a second-hand home means integrating new structures with the old, which may have some settling. It is crucial to prevent further settling, seal cracks in walls, and address leaks from roof joints or cracks around doors and windows. It is advisable to emphasize to the workers and contractors the areas where the new wall connects with the existing wall, as this is where cracks or separations often occur due to the absence of piling. This issue can be mitigated by separating the plastered wall from the original building and sealing the joints with flexible materials such as polyurethane, etc.