No matter the size of your home, house additions are excellent investments. Beyond making your home more livable, additions increase the value of your home by providing desirable space and features to potential home buyers. Many people consider additions because of their growing family, because they have parents move in with them as they age, or because the homeowners work from home and need more space. But before you start the process of adding to your home's footprint, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Once you know the framework in which you can proceed, it's time to get started. There are several different types of home additions you can consider, depending on your particular needs. Here are some of the more popular home addition projects that add both living and investment benefits: Adding a Second Story While this major addition can be fairly expensive, it adds significant square footage and resale value to your home. Before taking this project on, make sure your home's structure and foundation can handle the additional weight as not all homes are suitable for this option. Adding a Room Over the Garage If you have a soon to be college student who still wants to live at home, or if you want a home office separate from the main house, adding a room over your garage can make a lot of sense. The space can act as a small apartment or as a bonus room, and the construction process won't make a mess of your home. Be aware that you may have different drywall and vapor barrier requirements since the addition is over a garage. Build a Dormer Dormers are a favorite with attic remodels because they add much-needed light and significant curb appeal from the outside. If you are working with attic space that is converting to living space, dormers are a great way to increase appeal and return on investment. Finishing Your Basement If your home has a basement, you can convert that unused space into an incredible living space. So while you're not technically adding onto your home, you are adding square footage that is useful and appealing. Whether you are looking to build a downstairs apartment, an Airbnb getaway, or your family's new movie room, the options are limitless. Essential to keep in mind is including emergency windows or a backyard walkout so people can safely exit. Add On to Your Kitchen Even the smallest remodel to your kitchen can provide a high return on investment. Not only do you create a space you can enjoy, but you also create a more appealing kitchen to future homebuyers. You can expand your kitchen's square footage by turning a flex space or bump-out addition into a cozy breakfast nook or even a walk-in pantry. As one of the best return on investment projects, a kitchen addition is well worth considering. Expand Your Bathroom Let's face it, we could all appreciate a larger bathroom. Besides the benefits of extra elbow room, larger bathrooms work really well for aging individuals or people who are wheelchair-bound. The extra space allows for comfortable movement and any safety modifications. Much like kitchen remodels and additions, bathrooms also have a high return on investment. Bathroom additions might include a bump-out to include space for a soaking tub or expanded shower. You can also consider converting adjoining space to a half-bathroom to make it a full bath. Maybe you have space from adjoining closets or stairs that can be used. Bring in a professional to explore what is possible, especially because moving or adding plumbing can significantly increase the cost of your project. Add a Mudroom Especially in rainy parts of the country, like Oregon, a mudroom can be an addition appreciated by all. Mudrooms help keep shoes, coats, backpacks, etc. organized and out of the way from the main living space. They are also a nice space to keep your wet items to dry so you don't get the insides of your home wet and muddy. Depending on the size of mudroom desired, this can be a fairly affordable project. Convert Your Front Porch to a Sunroom Again, living in Oregon, the rain can be somewhat oppressive, especially in the winter months. If you decide to convert your porch into a sunroom, you add both square footage and an 'outdoor' space you can enjoy year-round. Being able to be 'outside' and yet still inside can help not feeling so cooped up all winter long. In the other months of the year, the sunroom can make for a wonderful place to gather with friends or family for meals, games, etc. Convert Your Attached Garage into an Extra Room If you are looking to increase countable square footage to your home, note that your garage can no longer be used as a garage. But, if you do this type of conversion, you can gain a great workout space, an extra bedroom, home office, or craft room. This type of home addition has a good return on investment but be aware that when it comes time to sell your home, you may have fewer interested buyers if you no longer have a garage. Home additions are best completed by an experienced and licensed contractor. Fort Rock Construction has been helping homeowners in the Eugene, Springfield, and Cottage Grove areas since 2001. Please give us a call to discuss your home addition project. 541-767-1611
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