Discover the benefits and considerations of choosing to expand your living space. Increase the value of your home while accommodating your evolving lifestyle. Take into account factors such as defining your purpose, balancing proportions, and budget-friendly options. When it comes to home additions, it's crucial to select the right professionals and explore alternatives if necessary. Explore the growing trend of home additions in 2024 with this insightful blog post.
The Growing Trend of Home Additions
Knowing that one of the most significant renovation trends in 2024 would be home additions, we have still been surprised by the number of calls we have received. We have been flooded with calls from people wanting to add a room(s) to create more space in their existing home. The desire for additions increased during COVID, with people inquiring about adding a home office or gym to their house. Many families also add space for loved ones to move in with them. As interest rates increased, many homeowners are planning to change their existing structures rather than go through the buying process.
Why Consider a Home Addition?
As a home remodeling company and builder, we understand the value of home additions. They not only increase the value of your home but also provide the much-needed space for your evolving lifestyle. For many of us, our home seems like the perfect size when we buy it, but then it seems to shrink the longer we live there. Our lives change and grow while our homes do not. Adding extra space can accommodate your changing needs and enhance your overall living experience.
Factors to Consider When Planning a Home Addition
When considering a home addition, it's crucial to take various factors into account. Here are some key considerations:
1. NEED - DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE
Why do you want more space? Spend time thinking about and mapping out what you will use the additional space for. Consider changes you may need in the years to come. Will the room require a closet or bathroom? If you’re adding on for an aging parent or relative, have you done your due diligence on the aging-in-place options?
2. SIZE - BALANCING PROPORTIONS
Even though the point is to increase space, you must scale the new space to your existing area to ensure the best return on your investment. Keeping the addition visually balanced with your home is essential.
3. OPTIONS - BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICES
A simple, rectangular structure will be budget-friendly if you’re trying to keep costs low. Matching things like the roof line and exterior for a transitional style home is less expensive than matching a colonial or craftsman style home. However, visiting salvage yards can help keep costs down for the latter type of homes.
The Cost of Home Additions
Home additions are not cheap, and it's important to be aware of the potential expenses involved. Here are some reasons why additions can be costly:
1. PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, AND HVAC
Aside from the items mentioned above, you should always expect a considerable jump in cost when adding plumbing, electrical, or HVAC to the space. Other necessary costs will be architectural drawings, engineer reporting, and city permitting.
2. WINDOWS AND DOORS
Windows and doors can be expensive. Keeping the continuity between your existing home and the new addition’s windows and doors is critical.
3. ROOF AND FOUNDATION INTEGRATION
Finally, tying in the roof and foundation add to the cost. It’s important for the resale value of your home that the new addition looks like it’s always been part of the house.
Choosing the Right Professionals
With all the considerations and potential challenges involved in a home addition, hiring a professional company providing high-quality workmanship is paramount. Involving a designer is advised for anything beyond a simple, rectangular room. As we always recommend, get several bids, confirm the company has insurance, and look for a robust digital footprint.
Exploring Alternatives
If an addition is too costly, consider repurposing your existing space. Turn a closet into a needed bathroom. Finish out the attic as an office or playroom. Change the footprint of your home by moving walls. Without experience, it is tough to consider all the options and plan for the unexpected. We strongly recommend spending the time upfront to meet with a professional renovation company.
LET'S DISCUSS YOUR HOME ADDITION IDEAS
We understand that making the decision to add on to your home is a significant step. Our goal is to deliver your dream and create a space that meets your needs and enhances your lifestyle. We would love to talk to you about your home addition ideas. Call us today or book a free consult and take the first step towards transforming your home.
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