5 Reasons to Build a Home Addition

From indoor plant rooms on Instagram to home offices on the covers of décor magazines, it’s easy to find yourself dreaming of extending a house. Maybe you’ve taken an extra step and browsed a home addition guide but still aren’t sure if your reasons for wanting one are good enough. Don’t worry, it’s normal to be nervous. This is a major renovation project, after all! To help, our Advisors have compiled the top five reasons our clients invest in a home addition, complete with project suggestions.

1. A bedroom for a new bundle of joy

One of the most common reasons to build a home addition is because clients are expecting a child. They need more space! Thankfully, a new child doesn’t mean you need a new house. If your home already has a second floor and a garage, you can add a room above the garage or extend the back of your house.

If you have a bungalow and think your family will continue to grow in size, then a storey addition might make more sense. While it’s a large and expensive renovation project, it’ll double the square footage of your home and let you stay in your neighbourhood long term.

2. The kids are growing up

It makes sense to have young children share a room, especially if they get along. But, as they grow up and become teenagers, they may want more privacy. The simplest solution is to finish the basement. This provides them with their own bedroom(s). And, if there’s some extra square footage left over, you can add in a home theatre or gaming room to host their friends.

A storey addition is another viable option, as are lateral or back extensions. Both are great ways to provide parents and kids with extra room and privacy. Plus, it can be a great opportunity to build your dream primary bedroom, complete with ensuite. No more sharing the bathroom with your teenagers and guests!

Renovated Basement

Photo Source: Pinterest

3. Aging parents move in

Lending a hand to aging parents or in-laws is another common reason to build a home addition. Thankfully, you have a few different options if you’re looking to turn your house into a multigenerational home.

A basement apartment conversion is a great option, especially if you tack on a separate entrance. This gives some added privacy and separation. It’s also a great feature if you ever want to sell your home or rent out the space in the future. Alternatively, you can opt for a storey addition with or without a separate entrance.

That said, remember that some elderly folks need spaces adapted for accessibility. Be sure to talk to them and work with your contractor to meet their needs.

Basement Apartment – Hermoza Project

Photo Source: Pinterest

4. Small and narrow spaces

Duplexes and triplexes in city centres are often long and narrow, with lots of small closed-off rooms. Instead of renovating each unit individually, you can convert the building into a single family home. It works well for those that love their neighbourhood or location and don’t want to move.

Keep in mind that this is a huge project. You won’t be able to live in the building during the renovation, as the house will be striped to the studs.

Duplexes Converted Into Single-Family Homes

Photo Source: Pinterest

5. Lack of space in common areas

If you live in an older house with a closed floor plan, you probably feel like your home lacks space. This is common – it can be really tough to work with a bunch of small rooms! There are two ways you can address this: build a home addition or reconfigure your interior.

Some homeowners like closed floor plans because it allows them to create rooms with specific purposes. If you fall into this group, it’s best to go with a lateral or rear extension on a foundation, piles, or a slab. These options allow you to add living space to the specific room(s) you want without modifying the rest of your interior. And, if you’re extending a house on foundation, you can maximize your addition by extending your basement to match.

That said, sometimes you know you have enough space in your house but can’t use it due to the floor plan. This can be fixed pretty easily; just hire an interior designer who specializes in reconfiguring layouts. They’ll help you create the open concept home you’ve been dreaming of.

Open-Concept Common Areas

Photo Source: Pinterest

Extending a house to create a cozier home

Now that you’re seen some reasons to build a home addition, you can start planning your own. There’s lots of inspiration out there, from completed home addition projects to the latest home trends, so take your time and find design elements that fit your needs and aesthetic.

If you’re ready to move forward, be sure to check out these tips for a successful home addition. Once you’re ready to find a contractor, Call us today or fill out our form. Our Advisors will get you quotes from up to 3 Verified Contractors to ensure that you pay a fair price. They’ll support you every step of the way, from project planning to completion. All at no cost or obligation.