Types of Housing Additions

Different types of housing additions can be exciting. They can be a bit overwhelming, too. Maybe you need additional square footage to create openness or improve functionality within a space. Whatever the reason, choosing the right home expansion is vital to your real estate investment.

After all, that’s what your home is — an investment. And you want to ensure that you’re profiting from this investment in the long run.

Which House Add-On Is Right For You?

There are many types of housing additions that can rejuvenize a home, and conventional house add-ons are the most popular option. These consist of upgrades such as kitchen expansion and adding a master bathroom to an existing bedroom.

However, all kinds of renovations can help you enhance the look and feel of your home. Examples include:

Sunrooms

These relaxing room additions are timeless. It’s a simple house add-on that can brighten up a space. Additional perks? Sunrooms are one of the most affordable room additions.

Attic, Basement, Or Garage Conversions

Many people opt for these types of housing additions as their first step during a renovation. Since a core structure is already in place, less work has to go into this process, equating to a cheaper project overall. Homeowners typically use these housing add-ons for in-law suites or additional rooms.

Room Addition Or Bump-Out

A room addition or bump-out is built onto a part of the house to expand an existing room. Homeowners often choose this avenue to add a bathroom to a bedroom or meet zoning laws for converting an attic or garage into suitable living quarters.

Tiny House Or DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit)

These home expansions are detached from the home. They’re their own structure entirely, with their own electrical, plumbing, and HVAC equipment. They can be significantly more expensive than room additions to the existing as a result. But these types of housing additions make great art studios, in-law units, offices, or guest homes.

How Much Does It Cost to Add an Extra Room to Your House?

Average home expansion costs range from  $20,000 to $80,000. A handful of factors can alter this price, including the size of the expansion, the type of extension, building materials, and your home’s location.

Size & Type of Extension

There is a significant difference in price depending on the types of housing additions you choose. For example, constructing a small sunroom will cost significantly less than building larger housing add-ons like a master suite.

Contractors often charge by the square foot for labor and material costs. And the fee of required materials differs dramatically from project to project.

Location

It’s vital to factor in your community when budgeting for any type of home addition. If you live in a city or suburban area, there are likely to be many qualified carpenters available at a reasonable price.

However, your city’s zoning fees, permits, and inspections will amount to a hefty price. Alternatively, those in rural communities may be subjected to call-out fees and transport costs, which can drastically increase as you move farther away from populated areas.

Is It Cheaper to Add On or Build Up?

Each project is unique. Whether it’s cheaper to complete a house add-on or a vertical build-up will depend on the following factors:

• Time commitment
• Material costs
• Number of laborers needed
• Location
• Zoning permit costs

In most cases, a home expansion will most likely cost more. It usually requires digging, pouring concrete, and building the foundation.

When building up, your foundation is already there, which is generally less costly. Plus, it allows your home’s footprint to remain the same.

Those who have trouble deciding between a house add-on or a vertical build-up may want to consider adding a sunroom. Sunrooms are much more affordable than committing to a full-room addition.

Sunrooms are typically made from pre-fabricated materials, such as steel windows and thermally broken glass. Alternatively, they can be constructed with lumber, concrete, and other materials that provide a similar look and feel to the rest of the home.

Enjoy Your Home Expansion

Your life is always changing, and your property should be able to adapt to your circumstances as well. At Portella, we believe making home improvements can re-energize your space and bring new life into your home.

Let us know what type of housing addition or home improvement project you’re thinking about starting.