Many people wonder what the benefits of a home addition are. After all, it’s a lot of work to plan a home addition. And then your life is disrupted for weeks and possibly months while the project is underway. Not to mention the major expense you can incur.
But home additions are very popular. That wouldn’t be the case if adding onto your home didn’t provide some very solid and worthwhile benefits. Here are just a few:
More Space
Who doesn’t want more space? Adding on to your home can be the answer.
You can get increased living space by adding on an entire room. Or by enclosing a porch or patio.
Sometimes you don’t even have to do that much. Even bumping a wall out by three or four feet can make a huge difference to the amount of space you have to work with.
Create Specialized Space
Instead of making your living or family room do double or triple duty, adding a room could give you some specialized space. You could create a private office for yourself or a study room for the kids. Or your addition could be a music room that you specially insulate so the rest of the family doesn’t have to hear every missed note. Or the addition could be a childproofed playroom or a mudroom for guests to take off muddy shoes or wet boots. Another possibility is a gym for the days you want to exercise at home.
More storage
Some people add on to their homes simply to have more storage space. And that’s something everyone wants.
By adding an addition to your home, you can easily increase your storage space. No more cluttered hall closets with the overflow of stuff that invades your living areas and makes the space feel smaller.
A smaller project such as enlarging your entrance could give you a welcoming foyer with a closet for guests’ coats.
Other options include creating a place to store your craft supplies. Or sports equipment and musical instruments. Or out of season clothing. Or toys. A home addition can easily give you extra organized storage space and liberate you from crammed, cluttered closets.
Improve Curb Appeal
Adding a bow window to your living room or enlarging the entrance to your home will make it look much more attractive. Not only will you enjoy the new, fresh look, but it will be more appealing to buyers when you decide to sell. And if you tuck some storage under that bow window, that’s just an added bonus.
Provide Housing for More Family Members
Maybe your kids are growing up and it’s time they all had their own rooms. Perhaps you have an elderly parent you’d like to have move in with you. Or a grown child has a need to stay with you for a time. Adding an extra room will make it possible for you to accommodate your family’s needs.
Make Some Extra Cash
If you’ve got an extra room, you could use it to generate some additional income. So if you’re adding on a room to accommodate a family member, think about the future. If you include a bathroom, kitchenette and separate entrance, you’ll be all set to rent out that space when it’s no longer needed for family and it won’t go to waste. Whether you decide to lease to a long-term renter or go for short-term vacation renters, you can start getting a return on your investment long before you sell the house.
Additions Can Be Cheaper than Moving
Many people move because they’ve outgrown their existing home. But moving can be expensive, stressful and time consuming. And if you really like your neighborhood, there’s no guarantee the new one will be as pleasant.
A carefully planned addition can give you the additional space you need, without the upheaval, uncertainty and stress of a move.
Add a Little Luxury
A home addition can give you the opportunity to add some luxury to your home. Expanding the master suite could result in his and her sinks in the bathroom, a larger closet and perhaps even a spa tub.
Enlarging your kitchen would allow you to add some of the features you’ve always wanted, like a wine cooler, chef’s stove or more counter space.
Add Natural Light
Adding a sunroom can bring more natural light into your home to give it a brighter feel.
Get Better Use out of Existing Space
A home addition project doesn’t always involve building a new structure. Suppose you have a screened porch you don’t use very often. You could enclose it and have an additional room that could be used three or four seasons in the year.
Other possibilities are refinishing your basement to become a family room or turning attic space into a bedroom. This way your existing space can be converted into space you will use and enjoy.
Add Value to Your Home
Additional square footage, in the form of an extra bedroom, bathroom or storage can add value to your home. However, you won’t get it all back when you sell. But the upgraded features will be appealing to buyers and you will be able to recoup some of the money you invested.
Add Personality to Your Home
Maybe you’ve grown tired of having a house that looks just like everyone else’s. Building an addition, whether as simple as an enlarged entrance or extensive as an entire room can add an appealing dose of personality to your house.
What are the drawbacks of home additions?
Before starting a home addition project, it’s vital to think through two major drawbacks.
The first is that a space tradeoff could be involved. If you add a room or garage to the back of your house, you’ll lose some of your space in the yard. This will of course be more of an issue for people with small lots.
The second is the expense. Additions can cost more than moving. If you’ve got a very extensive project in mind, you could end up sinking a lot of money into your house. And if you over-improve your house so you are out of line with the neighborhood, you won’t have a very good return on your investment. In this case, moving might be the more economical option.
What are the top home additions?
Having thought about benefits and drawbacks, let’s consider some of the top types of home additions. Since these are so popular, they will not only give you more space and functionality but will add value to your home.
Second Floor Additions
Adding on to the second floor allows people to move bedrooms upstairs, giving family members more privacy. At the same time, you’ve freed up more living space on the first floor. And by building above the existing footprint of your house, you don’t lose any yard space.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory dwelling units, or living spaces that are not attached to the main dwelling, are becoming more popular. Not only do they add resale value, they give you flexibility as your family grows or shrinks. They can also provide a source of extra income.
Most people add accessory dwelling units by converting a shed or detached garage into a unit with a bedroom, sitting area, kitchen and bathroom.
Chef’s Kitchens
As more people are discovering the delight of home cooked meals, they want a more functional space to work in. Adding just a few more feet of space can often feel like a lot, giving you the joy of not working in cramped conditions, along with having room for all the fun gadgets and tools you’ll be working with. You can expect a fairly good return on investment on a kitchen expansion when you sell your house.
Dormers
Dormer windows add natural light while adding a little space to rooms with slanted ceilings. They also enhance curb appeal and resale value.
Bump Outs
Bump outs are a popular option, as all that’s involved is extending a room by a few feet. This small addition can make a huge difference to the usable space in the room, and you don’t sacrifice much yard space to get it.
Florida Rooms
Florida rooms, sometimes called California rooms, are popular ways to create an indoor/outdoor space. These rooms have a ceiling and large glass windows, but they remain open to the outdoors on one or more sides. You can enjoy natural light and being out of doors, and the space can be used as either indoor or outdoor.
Sunrooms
Sunrooms are another popular way to add to a home. Unlike Florida rooms, they are closed on all sides. A standard feature is huge windows and occasionally, skylights. Sunrooms give you extra space for three or four seasons in the year, depending on where you live.
Planning Your Home Addition
As you can see, there are many options for adding to your home. It’s important to keep in mind that good planning is the key to creating a home addition that you’ll love. When you plan your addition, carefully consider your budget, how long you want the project to last, and what realistic increase in your home’s value you can expect.
Perhaps this list has inspired you to think about your own home addition project. By adding on to your house, you can solve storage or crowding problems without having to go through the upheaval and headaches of selling your house and moving. Resolving these problems will make your home more comfortable for you to enjoy living in and increase its resale value.
Do you have a home addition project in mind but aren’t sure how to get started? Or you feel cramped in your house and aren’t sure what to do about it? Give us a call and we can offer some suggestions that can help you make your home more efficient and comfortable, while increasing its value. And most important, your new home addition will make you love your home even more.
If you’d like, we can provide an estimate of what your project might cost. We’ll do our best to be responsive to your needs. Just give us a call to get started today.
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