If you find yourself wishing you had more space in your home, but really don’t want to move then a room addition may be the perfect solution. And when you consider how much effort moving entails, it may not be as difficult a project as you might think.

With a little planning you could your room addition completed in no time.

Here are five quick tips on how to make your dreams of a room addition become a reality:

1. Plan. Take a good look at your home and think about where you most need extra space. Think not just about your current needs but what your family’s needs will be in ten years. Walk around both inside and out and try to determine where a room addition makes the most sense. Look at other homes in your area that have had additions put on to get a better idea of what you like and how well your addition will fit in with other homes in your neighborhood. Get some plans on paper but try not to limit your ideas at this stage. There will be plenty of time for scaling back later. Also take the time early on to determine when you want construction to take place. Include other family members in this planning stage.

2. Talk to the professionals. Depending on the scope of your project there are several people you may want to call. A general contractor is a good starting point. A building engineer or architect can help you work through any structural concerns. An interior designer can help you determine how best to blend the new addition with the rest of the house. Even just a quick consultation can have a huge impact on the success of the project. These people do this work for a living. They will have a lot of ideas and save your time and money in the long run.

3. Budget. Determine how much you are willing to spend and look at your options for financing. One option is to take out a short-term loan from your 401 (k) or 403 (k) account (if you have one). Or you may wish to consider a home equity loan. Talk to your key financial counselors for what will work best for you.

4. Hire a contractor. A room addition requires a lot of work, things such as plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, as well as getting the right permits and passing building inspection. A good contractor will coordinate the necessary tradespeople and the permit process, saving you a lot of time and energy. Get written estimates from at least three contractors.

5. Keep records. Keep all paperwork related to the project and take notes from meetings. Even a small remodeling project can become very complex and a well-organized file folder will help keep track of all the little details. This folder will prove to be extremely useful in the event of any problems, or when you tackle your next home improvement project.