Whether you have a large or small home, room and house additions are invaluable investments. Along with expanding your available storage and living space, adding rooms with features that are desirable to home buyers can increase the value of your home. But before you start adding an addition to your home, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to consult with us at Home Repair Contractors, Inc.
- Check on your local zoning ordinances and building codes.
- Take your blueprints and plans to the county assessor.
- Once you’ve completed the additions, report them to the county assessor.
The first part of planning a home addition is finding inspiration. Below are some home addition ideas that can help inspire your next home improvement project!
Plan a Second Story
One of the biggest home addition projects is adding a second story. While this major addition can cost anywhere between $90,000-$200,000, it does add significant square footage and resale value to your home. Work with a builder or architect to make sure your home’s structure and foundation can handle the additional weight!
Put a Room Over the Garage
Creating a bonus room or apartment over a garage is a great way to add extra square footage without turning your home into a mess. With the foundation of the garage already in place, all you need are walls and a roof. Once it’s finished, you can rent it out or use it as a guest bedroom. Keep in mind that certain additions like a new roof, Type X fireproof drywall, and vapor barriers will be more expensive than other home addition projects. Costs typically average around $35 per square foot when building a bonus over-the-garage room.
Include a Modular Home Addition
A modular addition is a pre-fabricated room that can be added onto the exterior of the house to create a second story, and they’re popular home expansion projects for single-story buildings like ranch homes. These additions run 10-20% cheaper than conventional additions and can be made off-site, saving you from living in a constant construction zone. Costs vary between $80-$200 per square foot, depending on the size of the addition and where it goes.
Build a Dormer
Dormers not only expand your attic and provide much needed light, but they also add major curb appeal and make your home look larger. Some homeowners choose to install DIY dormers to increase their attic ceiling space. A DIY project will run about $1,800 , while professional installation can cost anywhere between $2,500-$20,000.
Add On to Your Kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen—even on a minor scale—can provide a great return on investment. Expand your kitchen’s square footage by turning a flex space or bump-out addition into a walk-in pantry or breakfast nook. Kitchen remodel projects can cost between $12,000-$21,000 and recoup almost 93% of the cost at resale.
Expand the Bathroom
Increasing bathroom square footage can greatly increase the value of your home. Similar to a kitchen addition, bathroom projects have an ROI of up to 62%. Costs start around $3,000 for a bathroom upgrade or expansion and can go up to $25,000 for a full-on addition. Looking for bathroom addition ideas? Try extending your master bathroom to include space for a soaking tub or dual sinks. Or add a half-bath in an underutilized small space like under the stairs, a closet, an attic bonus room or other.
