Does your home feel cramped? Adding a room or extending the space of an existing room can really help create a larger, more open space. Adding something like a sunroom can augment the natural light in your home as well as bring the outdoors in.
Adding square footage can end up being a lucrative investment. If you ever decide to sell your home, that added space can increase the value of your property. While some home additions may cost more than others, any addition can give you a lot in return when it comes time to sell. Often, the more functions an added room can have, the more value you’ll get.
Instead of waiting to buy your dream home, you can turn your current home into it instead. Go wild! Add that sauna you’ve always wanted, or a larger bathroom or even a home theater. If you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, you might as well actively turn your current home into your dream home, rather than waiting for your dream home to become available on the market.
Ways to increase the living space of your home
Usually people expand their space by building outward, building upward, or both. Expanding your ground floor has some benefits, including that there will usually be less disruption to the rest of your home, and it’s often less expensive. However, you’ll lose some of your yard space, and some cities have a limit to the amount of land in a lot you can build on.
Adding a second floor will let you circumvent the problems of losing some of your yard and running into zoning regulations. There are other things to keep in mind, however. Because of the extra load of a second story, your house’s existing foundation will have to be strengthened. Existing wall studs and shear walls may also need to be upgraded and reinforced. You’ll also have to think about a stairwell, and some existing walls may need to be opened up to make room for more electrical wires, plumbing, heating, and extra support. Some cities may also limit building height, so make sure you know their standards.
When expanding, you may decide between adding a full room and expanding an existing room. Expanding an existing room may mean you don’t need to install extra heating. You can also add to rooms that were small to begin with. A half bath can become a full bath. You could add a window seat to your living room or library. Add some space in the kitchen to make room for more counter space, a breakfast bar, a walk-in pantry, or an island.
Some other alternatives include building a detached structure, renovating a storage space, or expanding your outdoor living space.
You aren’t stuck only building rooms attached to your home. You can add a detached room in your yard for some extra privacy. Potential project ideas include a quiet home office, a guest house, an entertainment room, a gym–there are plenty of possibilities.
If you want to increase the living area of your home but don’t want the extra hassle of building a new room, you can renovate areas traditionally used for storage. You can renovate an attic, basement, or garage, converting it into an extra bedroom, home office, game room, gym, etc. You could also knock down a wall to open up a cramped room as a more cost-effective alternative.
You can expand your outdoor living space as well, perhaps by building a balcony, deck, patio, porch, or sunroom. This option typically costs less than a room expansion or addition, while giving the benefit of an additional connection to the outdoors.
Before beginning the build
Remember to budget! Prices per square foot for an addition will vary from place to place and will also change based on how complicated your addition is. Construction costs can be anywhere from $80-$600 per square foot. The quality of materials will also influence the cost, as will building higher ceilings, building on an incline, and adding plumbing and electrical wires.
If you want your room addition to fit into the aesthetic of the house, you’ll want to hire an architect first to start drawing plans. Some contractors will also have an architect on staff. Consult with a contractor and engineer as well to plan your build. You should also remember to contact your local homeowner’s association to make sure they approve your build as well. Once the plans are done, you can submit them to the city and obtain a building permit.
During the build, you should think about your living situation. If you’re remodeling or adding to the kitchen, for example, you’ll be losing that space, so you may want to set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else. Depending on your project, living in your home while building or remodeling is occurring can be possible. Just ask your contractor to make sure.
Are you ready to add space to your home? Our engineers at Design Everest can help you grow your home and maximize your space, with plans and designs specifically tailored to your needs. Call us today at 888-123-3242 for a free consultation.
