Home Additions That Increase Home Value

When you’re trying to determine a budget for your home addition, here are the items you need to think about: 

• How big is the project? You’ll pay more depending on the square footage involved. 
• Getting permits. Every municipality has its own rules, regulations and building codes.
• Who’s going to build it? Finding a contractor is key as they’ll be taking up most of the budget for labour. 
• Where do you live? Renovation costs can vary depending on your postal code. 
• What materials will you use? There is a wide range of materials you use for different parts of your home from cheap to very expensive. 

Home Expansion Ideas for Increasing Square Footage

More adults are bringing their elderly parents to live with them in their homes. However, while in the past people have just given up a spare room, it’s becoming more common to build an in-law suite as an addition to your home.

Everybody still has their independence and privacy, but you can still be there for them when it’s necessary. 

The key to a properly designed in-law suite is accessibility. Everything should be on one floor with wide doorways to minimize the risk of falls.

Before you begin construction, make sure to obtain the necessary permits and adhere to local building codes.

Is your family getting bigger or do you love entertaining guests overnight? Adding an extra bedroom to your home may be the solution that you’re looking for. It could be in your basement, the attic, or even your garage.

As long as you can provide one entrance into the home and one emergency exit window, you should be good to go.

Adding another bathroom to your home is a good idea for many reasons. First, it’ll improve your family’s quality of life. If you can eliminate lineups in the morning and give everybody a little more space, then you’ll make everyone in the home very happy.

Extra bathrooms also go a long way to increasing the resale value of your home. Even if it’s just a powder room on the main floor or a ¾ bathroom in the basement for guests, you can easily justify an elevated listing price and attract more prospective buyers.

An unfinished basement is a golden opportunity to add more living space to your home while increasing its overall value when it’s time to sell. If you have a shorter, older basement, you can even dig out the floor to get extra space for that workout room or home theatre you’ve always dreamed of.

A playroom for the kids, a rec room for the family, a home office for you — the possibilities are endless.

Already have a garage in your home? Consider adding a second story for another bedroom or living quarters for the in-laws or a teenager who needs their space. Always consult with an engineer to ensure that your existing garage’s foundation can adequately support this extra weight. There may also be additional insulation and sealing to do to keep toxic car fumes out of the living space above. 

Detached garages are another excellent opportunity to add more living space to your home. You could also create a studio apartment and rent it out as an additional source of income. Alternatively, retrofitting the garage with plenty of shelving and storage spaces could save you from making trips to that storage locker you’ve rented across town.

If you love nature and the great outdoors, then you need to consider adding a sunroom or porch. These types of additions allow you to enjoy your property all year round, keeping you safe from rain, snow and insects.

If you want this to be an all-season addition, it’s important to incorporate heating and air conditioning into your overall design. Keep in mind that a porch can’t be counted towards square footage, but there is still resale value attached to this wonderful addition.

A dormer is basically a structure with a roof that sticks out from the main roof of a house. The design contains at least one window and can massively help you make more use of your attic by creating more space, and natural light, and making it easier for people to stand up. A dormer can also make your home look larger from the exterior. 

You can turn your dormer room into a living area, bathroom or bedroom. It may be tempting to transform your entire attic into a livable space, but don’t forget to keep some storage areas for your family. You won’t regret it.

If you want your dream kitchen, but your current setup feels a bit too cramped, don’t worry because you can always make it bigger with a kitchen addition. Take down an outside wall and build a bump out for your breakfast nook, dining table, or additional storage space. Adding a pantry can also help. 

It’s become more and more popular for people to dedicate the entire addition to a new kitchen while transforming the old, smaller kitchen into a mudroom for the back of the house or a walk-in pantry for all of your cooking and baking goodies.

A deck addition or extended deck space is always a highly coveted addition for a home. It’s a great place to share a meal or socialize with visitors outside during the summer.

You can even build a partial covering or install an awning to give yourself some shade. For construction materials, consider pressure-treated wood or composite material.

Do you live in a bungalow/single-story home? A bungalow addition, or adding an entire second story could be the right move. It doubles your square footage and instantly increases the value of your home.

Just make sure to check with an engineer if your current home and foundation can support the weight of an additional story above.