You love your home, but you’d love it more if you just had more space. You need a Qualified Home Addition Remodeler.
You’ve thought about moving, but you really don’t want to uproot the kids. Moving them to a new school and integrating into a new neighborhood seems like too much of a hassle. Maybe you need to make some space for Mom and Dad, and it just makes sense for all concerned that they come on board. No matter which scenario you’re wrestling with, a home addition is a great answer. As any good architect will tell you, there are many good design options to consider.
- The most common addition is the one that expands off the back of your home. It’s known as a “rear addition”. A door leading to the rear yard can become an entrance to a new outdoor living space; complete with furniture. It could also lead to a whole new wing of your home. Another advantage of a rear expansion is the opportunity to use new and exciting exterior materials. This is sometimes less expensive than trying to match existing brick or stone exteriors.
- How about more of a “jewel box” addition, like a conservatory or a sunroom? Creating a home addition like this, filled with light and space. Live outdoors all year round!
- Perhaps you’re looking to “raise the roof’ or “ranch out”. A second story addition will give you the opportunity to expand horizontally. This is a great way to gain much needed space on a small lot. Since there is no need to build a foundation, it’s a cost effective way to expand your home.
“Building Up” vs. “Building Out”
When considering what form your building addition will take, there are several basic factors to consider before breaking out the sledge hammer. Here at Tri-County General Contracting, we use some of the following criteria to determine the best possible addition for our clients:
- How would you design the house if it was a new construction? Sometimes it’s hard to see past the walls and windows already there. So many architects tell homeowners: Looks past your house and imagine you are starting from scratch to create your ideal home. Then take that image and work it into the existing structure as much as possible.
- How will this addition add value to your home? Though we have worked closely with owners wanting a remodel in order to sell, the typical addition job is for everyday growing families looking to add a little extra living space. But it’s still smart to know how a renovation will benefit a house’s appraisal value. Even if you have no plans to sell, an increased appraisal value will allow you to refinance or take out a home equity line of credit if needed. We tell our clients to always consider the resale value of the projects we take on.
- What does your budget look like? Since additions are typically more expensive than remodels, we tell our clients to always consider whether there’s a lower-cost way of getting what they want. But still, a bigger construction bill doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add-on. If you value the expanded, more comfortable space, even if the financial return isn’t significant, then don’t be deterred. We like to say that minimizing the space needed to add on and utilizing the new space efficiently is key, rather than going for a bigger, more expensive project and cutting corners on quality.
- Are there any municipal zoning restrictions to consider? Most places have rules about what you can build where, which includes when building a home addition. Often in residential areas, owners aren’t allowed to build structures within a certain distance from the front, rear and sides of the property. Also, there are rules about how close you can built to wetlands, and how much of your lot can be covered with impermeable surfaces, either structures or pavement. Limits of building heights (number of storeys, etc.) put restrictions on additions that build up instead of out. The best way to have these questions answered is to check with your local building department as you begin your project planning.
- How will the new addition complement the existing house? Adding on to a home, often many years after original construction, is a delicate process for builders; it takes skill and a sharp eye to make the addition look like it belongs. You’ll want to think about how the addition will affect the roofline, how the interior and exterior finish materials will match, how the new walls will complement the house’s original style, and how windows, utility lines, insulation and heating and cooling will all be affected. For many homeowners, such specific considerations often require the help of general contractors and even architects and designers to help create the best working plan.
- Without argument, cost is the most important factor to consider in an addition. Every house, lot and owner’s desires are different, and talking to a local contractor is the only way to find a realistic estimate for a particular project. Tri-Country General Contracting is here to help. Give us a call today at (610) 329-2280 for a free estimate. As a general rule, expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $200 or more per square foot. Here are some rough figures from Remodeling Magazine: Bathroom Addition: approx. $40,000; Upscale Bathroom Addition: approx. $78,000; Family Room Addition: approx. $85,000; Garage Addition: approx. $60,000; Master Suite Addition: approx. $108,000; Sunroom Addition: approx. $75,000; Two-Storey Addition (master suite over family room): $165,000.
Whether your family is growing, or you just want to enjoy a more substantial living space, I am the addition remodeler you are looking for.
