When it comes to home renovations, a home addition is a big decision. You’re making a significant investment into your home, with the expectation that it will be able to meet your needs now and in the future. There are a lot of reasons to add to a home, but if you’re not sure whether to build or remodel, it’s wise to think about it carefully. With these tips, you’ll have a better understanding of when a home addition is a right choice.
Is It Worth It to Put an Addition on a House?
As a general rule, it is worth it to put an addition on your house. Of course, everyone may have a different experience. We’ve outlined a few scenarios in which addition construction is an extremely practical option.
1. You Need Extra Space
People are unique, which is why homes come in all shapes and sizes. Your home might be filling the bill right now, but what about the future? If you are planning to expand your family, start a home-based business, or just want to make more room for your hobbies, it’s natural to want to increase the amount of space you have. Rather than trying to fit everything into a smaller house, building up or out gives you so much more freedom without compromising on things like storage or flow.
2. Redesigning the Existing Floorplan Isn’t Practical
It’s common to wish that you could turn your existing home layout into something that meets the expectations of a 2020s household, but it isn’t always practical. If you have an older home, you may want to keep the architectural styles that give it so much character. In that case, old house additions make a lot of sense. You get the benefit of a modern space, and you don’t have to choose between function and the aesthetic aspects you love about the home.
Thinking about adding on to your house, but worried about how it will affect an older home? Our historic building renovation services have the right solutions.
3. Your Home Can’t Compete With the Neighborhood
Sometimes the neighborhood grows up around the house, instead of the other way around. If you find that you’re in this situation, you need to have a room addition plan to keep pace. An additional bedroom or bathroom goes a long way toward meeting the competition. Otherwise, you may discover that your home doesn’t hold value like other homes on your street, which is a big problem if you eventually want to sell it.
4. You Don’t Want to Move
If your current home is too small, it’s easy to think of moving to a new one. But moving is a complicated process, and there are times when you simply don’t want to uproot your family or settle into a new neighborhood. If you love your neighbors, the local schools, or the community, a home addition might give you a reasonable alternative to moving
What Do I Need to Know Before Adding Onto a House?
It’s important to make the right decision about a home addition, particularly if you aren’t sure how to approach the project. When you hire professional contractors, you may not have to do as much work as you think. Start by thinking about these factors:
- What isn’t working with your existing home
- Possible ways to change the design or expand the space
- How soon you’ll need the new layout
If you don’t know what the limitations on development are for your lot, or what is the best solution to your current problems, we can help.
Wondering if you should build an addition or move? Take a look at our gallery for the ways that a home addition can improve your life.
Is It Cheaper to Build Up or Out?
Determining whether it is cheaper to build up or out depends on the stage of construction. If you are building a home entirely new, building up often costs less to provide the same amount of space. Once you have an existing home, however, building up tends to cost more.
Price is an important factor for your home addition project, but it shouldn’t be the only one. Building up is a great way to increase space on a smaller lot, particularly in older neighborhoods. If you’re looking to age in place or you want single-level living, building out might be the best decision.
Need some ideas for your house addition planning? Browse our gallery to see our past projects.
Why Are Home Additions So Expensive?
The cost to complete a mid-range to upscale addition typically costs between $75,000 and $200,000, which is a major investment, depending on the size. That’s because a home addition is building virtually everything from scratch, from the additional framing, plumbing, and electrical to the flooring options and paint colors. Just looking at a materials list for building an addition can show you the complexity of the project.
Ultimately, you have to decide which option is going to work best for you. Home additions cost more than most other remodeling projects, but they offer a lot of flexibility too. If you want a home that is built for your needs, it can be an excellent decision. At Creative Building Concepts, we have the experience to turn your home addition into a wonderful investment you will enjoy for years. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our services.
Our team understands that your home is a reflection of who you are, from its curb appeal to the most minor details. Our mission is to help you make a statement through customized and innovative designs.