Sooner or later, an addition is a universal desire of most homeowners.
Enter the home addition.
Garage conversions are considered additions since so much living area is added at once.
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An increasingly popular option is a secondary living structure detached from the main house: an ADU or DADU.
Attic/Basement Conversion
Best for:Adding living space without changing the home footprint.
And it is one of the few expansion projects that recoup its full investment through added real estate value.
Converted Attic with Built-InsCustom Contracting, Inc.
Attic conversions are practical only for homes with attics that are framed without roof trusses.
Any converted spaces that include sleeping areas must have egress exits, which may mean adding special windows.
When well designed, a house addition blends into and creates an entirely different house.
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Major additions have all of the issues and requirements that come with full house construction.
Room Addition or Bump Out
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Best for:Adding a single room to the home.
Aroom addition or bump outis a single-room structure built onto the side of a house.
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It is usually meant for a single function, such as a bedroom or bathroom.
Sometimes it only expands the size of a single room in the existing house.
A room addition or house bump out is an addition scaled far down.
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Room additions and bump outs often lay down a new roofline, employing a shed style or flat roof.
While these types of additions are less expensive than full-size, conventional additions, they are not cheap.
They are still subject to building codes, permits, and inspectors.
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They require a foundationan expensive project itself.
So, it’s not unusual for a room addition to cost upwards of $50,000.
Sunroom Addition
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Best for:Adding protected recreational space but not living space.
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A sunroom is an addition to the side of the house that is usually a supplemental living area.
Sunrooms typically can be closed off from the main part of the house with doors.
Tip
Aprofessionally installed sunroomcan be a pricey project; nationally, costs average around $30,000.
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Sunrooms are never used as permanent sleeping areas, and kitchens and bathrooms are never installed in sunrooms.
Also, sunrooms are not required to have heating or air conditioning.
Usually, garage conversions become living rooms or bedrooms.
Some garages already have drywall on the studs, leaving one less task to do.
Garage conversions can come with some downsides.
A garage conversion is one of the more affordable methods of creating a sizeable amount of additional living space.
This is still considerably cheaper than a major structural addition, however.
Thus, this is one of the most expensive types of addition, averaging at least $100,000.
But in communities where zoning allows for such structures, a tiny house/DADU can become a valuable rental space.
A second-story addition is a major undertaking.
The average cost of a second-story addition hovers around $175,000, while some second-story projects reach $600,000.
Not only that but building a second-story addition is a serious lifestyle shift.
Residents need to live elsewhere for months at a time since the construction is so pervasive throughout the home.
But the rewards more than balance out the costs.
Except for partial second-story additions, expect to double the amount of floor space.
That 1,500-square-foot home expands to a generous 3,000 square feet.
Not a single square foot of property is used, either.
All of the work is built on top of the existing structure.
Local zoning is another issue; your architect and contractor can assist with that.
But give the project careful thought to check that you are getting precisely what you need.
Always take a long view when deciding on what kind of addition is best.
Will the Number of Residents Change?
A small bump-out may seem logical for today’s needs, but what about if your family expands?
Or if aging parents need to come live with you?
Will Your Financial Situation Change?
Will the Home Addition Add to the Home Value?
Home additions that add bedrooms or full bathrooms are also among those that recoup their investment relatively quickly.
How Much Is the Funding Costing You?
If you will be borrowing money (many people do), keep an eye on interest rates.
Do you have ready access to a low-interest loan, such as a home equity line of credit?
If so, then it may be a good time to go ahead with that major project.
If not, don’t hire them.
This is dependent upon the personal lifestyle and needs of the homeowner.
Cost to Finish an Attic Bedroom.Home Advisor.
How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement.
What Is an ADU?Home Advisor.
