Questions to Ask When Investing in a Home Addition

Like most people, you’re probably spending more time at home lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re starting to feel like you and your family could use some more living space, a home addition might be the perfect solution—especially if you are otherwise happy with where you live.

Some popular home additions include bedrooms, home offices, and in-law suites. You could also enlarge a room, such as your kitchen or bathroom, or add an entire second story. A mudroom with durable flooring can be a great addition, especially if your family is outdoorsy or you have pets. With a home addition, you can gain livable space without having to physically move. Instead, you can increase the footprint of your current home.

Does a home addition sound good to you? Here are some basic questions to ask yourself before you proceed:

What Type of Space Do You Need?

First, decide how much space you’d like to add, who will use it, and how it will be used. For instance, you might be thinking about adding a home office if you telecommute full-time or run a small business from home, or if you have a child who attends classes remotely. These scenarios have become more commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are likely here to stay. Additionally, amid all the uncertainty, some college students are eschewing campus life and returning home, and some elderly adults are seeking comfort by moving in with their younger family members. As a result, your household may have recently expanded, and a bedroom addition or in-law suite may meet your needs.

If you’re focusing on your kitchen, think about what the room means to you. Are you envisioning a multi-purpose room with an expanded area for dining, such as a breakfast nook or island with seating, where your family can enjoy meals together? Or, maybe you like to cook and additional countertop space for food preparation is high on your wish list. Perhaps you’d also like to find room for some state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, such as a steam oven, hydration center, professional-grade range, or separate refrigerator/freezer units.

Alternatively, are you looking to expand and modernize a cramped and outdated bathroom? With a bump-out, you can accommodate a luxurious soaker tub or a glass-enclosed double shower. If you’re planning to age in place in your current home or a member of your household has limited mobility, adding space for a roomy walk-in shower can enhance both the safety and the appearance of your bathroom.

What Architectural Features Would You Like To Add?

When planning your home addition, don’t forget to think about how it will look from the outside. You’ll want the overall design to harmonize nicely with the existing features of your home—both inside and out. For instance, to complement your home’s exterior, you’ll need to choose an appropriate roofline, shingles, siding, and/or stonework, as well as the right entryway (if appropriate).

What Types of Professionals Will You Need To Work With?

Building a home addition requires myriad skills. While you could choose to manage the project yourself, many savvy homeowners opt to work with a professional home remodeling contractor. Serving as your single point of contact, an expert remodeler will seamlessly oversee every aspect of your project, including the design, product selection, and construction, as well as all day-to-day tasks, such as ordering, scheduling, and addressing any unexpected obstacles that may occur along the way.

If you’re ready to discuss your ideas with a qualified remodeler, contact G & S Remodeling, an award-winning, full-scale home remodeling contractor based in Plano, Texas. We can help you design the perfect home office addition, then expertly construct it at your residence in the northern Dallas suburbs.