A cramped, ill-lit home places restrictions on its occupants when it comes to comfort and convenience. In fact, when assessing the quality of life in a home, most homeowners want ample, uncluttered space and smarter functionalities to feel comfortable and unrestricted. So, if you feel like your family has outgrown your current living space but do not want to move out, one excellent solution is to build a home addition.
In this article, a premier roofing contractor in Connecticut discusses what you need to know about home additions and the factors that affect the total cost of building one.
What Is a Home Addition?
As the name implies, a home addition is the construction of a new structure attached to the existing home. It translates to an increase in the square footage of residential space. An addition is often made to meet the growing needs of the occupants, like the arrival of elderly family members. It can be a smaller project — like adding a sunroom to have a dedicated area for some peace and quiet while basking in the sunlight — or it can be more extensive — like adding an in-law suite with a bathroom and kitchen. In some cases, the addition is made to enhance the curb appeal and increase the resale value of the residence.
Common Home Additions
The construction of a bedroom, bathroom, dining room and sunroom are some of the most common examples of home additions. There are also residential owners who undertake attic and garage additions to provide a substantial storage solution for their expanding families. Aside from stretching the available living space, this home renovation task adds to the market value of the house. It is also not surprising to see homeowners building more bedrooms and bathrooms, much like calling for an emergency roof repair when shingles are missing, to keep their homes marketable and in pristine condition, especially if they are planning to sell in the future.
Basic rooms like an extra bedroom tend to be the least expensive renovation, ranging from $80 to $130 per square foot. If plumbing and electrical fixtures are required, the construction expenses will naturally spike up. You could be looking at a price point of $200 per square foot or up to $250.
What Is the Cost of a Home Addition?
An addition is quite a common home renovation task, the process it is carried out will depend on several factors that are unique to the homeowner — their day-to-day living needs, capabilities of the existing structure, building code provisions and local zoning requirements, to name a few. Although there are multiple factors that come into play when calculating the cost of home addition, it is critical to know the fundamental ones. A roofing contractor shares five of the most common considerations you need to keep in mind:
1. Layout
Does your existing living space have a straightforward or complex layout? If the layout and arrangement of your floor plan is more complicated than usual, the more time and effort it will likely take to accomplish the renovation. As expected, this will also increase the labor costs.
A lot of residential owners, when expanding the layout of their homes with a multi-story addition, do it to declutter and make the space less restricted. For their first-floor addition, some build a rear kitchen for faster preparation or proper disposal of waste. A master bedroom, on the other hand, is a popular option for a second-level addition. The cost of this addition can generally fall between $134,036 and $277,581. The variance in price depends on the cabinets, flooring, bathroom fixtures and other features. Other homeowners choose to remodel their unfinished attic space into a home office or extra bedroom for guests.
2. Materials
Similar to comprehensive roof repair services, an addition or renovation often implies the use of various materials. When it comes to construction materials, which commonly include concrete, steel, cement and wood, their functionality, size, impact resistance, aesthetics and quality affects the overall cost. Rooms that feature superior utility will have more value, so homeowners tend to spend more on them. High-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms require manifold items like faucets, countertops, sinks and lighting fixtures.
Adding an extra bathroom on both levels of your home can range from $97,316 to $179,832 on average. Incorporating upscale, custom-built features will cost a lot more, but are an excellent investment.
3. Labor
A home addition, whether small or extensive, requires significant skill sets from professionals. A regular homeowner will need the expertise of certified remodelers or builders to carefully draw out their plans and carry out architectural services. For example, complex additions such as the installation of a functional bathroom in an in-law suite require intricate work that involves electrical, carpentry and plumbing systems. While do-it-yourself tasks will help save a lot of money upfront, simple mistakes and miscalculations can comprise the functionality and longevity of the addition, and the financial damage can be overbearing in the long run.
From site set-up and material handling to construction and post-installation clean up, the correct people will certainly be able to maximize the cost efficiency and productivity of the project
4. Permits
Permits are required when altering the footprint of your residential space. According to roof repair experts, all building permits you need will depend on its size, location and complexity of the addition. In some instances, special tests and inspections are mandatory, which, in turn, will spike up the total permit fees. Acquiring building permits can often be a time-consuming process, especially if there are plenty of complexities. Some approvals take place online, while others call for personal appearance.
If you pursue the construction project without a permit, fines may be assessed, so make sure to work with an experienced contractor in order to avoid unnecessary hassles and additional costs.
5. Location
To a certain degree, the location of your home can also have an impact on the overall cost of your addition. For one, the fair wage that the remodeling team needs to be paid is based on the place you reside. The materials you choose for your construction project must also be shipped to your location ahead of time, and the accessibility of these materials can take a toll on your final bill. Access to the site is another factor to take into account. Since an expansion or addition often requires special machines and building equipment, the more difficult it can be to move these large-sized items to your home.
Let Villwell Builders, LLC Help You Achieve Your Dream Exterior
Increase the appeal and functionality of your living space with a home addition or custom-build outdoor space. Our top-rated professionals at Villwell Builders, LLC are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency every client needs through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. You can also turn to us for emergency roof repair, siding installation, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and more. Call us today at (475) 271-1242 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment or request a free, no-obligation estimate. We work with clients in Waterbury, CT, and the surrounding areas.
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