You love the house you live in and the neighborhood it resides in. They have been the perfect fit for your family for years now. But, recently, this hasn’t been the case. You have been running out of room, leading you to ask the big question you have been dreading… Is it time to sell?
Not everyone reaches the “yes” conclusion to that question. Instead, if it can be worked into the budget, the solution may point toward an extension of your house. This popular remodeling project can be achieved through the expert work of Texas custom home builders. Let’s get into the details of building a home addition.
Pros and Cons of Moving
It can be exciting to buy a new home! Maybe you just need a change of pace. In which case, moving gives you that fresh start. Whether you are building a house from the ground up with a whole design-build team in Austin or just picking one out from Zillow, you get to put your mind to the test of what you really want. You won’t have to deal with the disruptions that come from living in a construction zone, either. That means no noise and no mess.
But packing and unpacking an entire house of things can be exhausting, leading to disruptions in your life regardless. Even if you hire a company to do it for you, that’s still a lot of effort being exerted. On top of that, you are having to pay more money for an already costly venture. Consider if it will be worth the trouble, or if there are ways to make your current home fit your family better. You don’t want to face potential relocation depression if it can be avoided.
Pros and Cons of Home Additions
Receiving more space is the biggest benefit of a home addition. Plus, it is entirely your creation. You can make a wish list that Texas custom home builders can take care of, within the lines of your budget. It’s like designing a new house without as many expenses. Get everything you can afford into the place that you already call home. Even if you do decide to sell later on, there is a high cost-value ratio that is offered with building a home addition.
Do be aware, though, that design-build pros cannot guarantee you will secure a higher resale price. If you are building a home addition with the primary intention of selling, it may or may not be worth the investment. Having more space means that more money needs to go into maintaining it, particularly if the addition is a whole new room. And while you won’t have to deal with realtor conversations, you must maintain contact with your contractor. Although it takes less time than constructing a new home, it might be a long process.
Building Upward vs Outward
If you have a limited amount of yard space, building up is the better choice for you. This is especially if you have family members or pets that like to spend time outside. You simultaneously avoid reducing their outdoor enjoyment and property restrictions. Now, keep in mind that building upward doesn’t have to mean creating another story structure. Although, it certainly can if that’s what you need. But understand that some municipalities limit the height of homes, so your contractor needs to know where to stop.
Alternatively, for homeowners who have outside area to spare, have a chat with your contractor to see if outward expansion can work. While you do have to acknowledge property lines, building outward gives you leverage for extensive projects. You are provided with more square footage than you would for an upward build, with the majority of your house not being affected by construction. What you are hoping for may not even require building a new foundation. If so, that will save you a considerable amount of money and time.
Popular Home Addition Examples
Are you interested in building a home addition but not sure what you are looking for just yet? On the other hand, maybe you do know but you need some extra guidance from Texas custom home builders. Here are four specialized spaces for you to consider to accommodate your growing household.
Bathroom
Plumbing-related costs can add up quickly. That being said, you are able to increase the value of your home by a lot when you construct an extra bathroom with a design-build company in Austin. The standard suggests that every bedroom should have a bathroom. This way, each resident has optimal space to do what they need to do throughout the day. However, on average, there are two bathrooms for every three bedrooms. If your house doesn’t offer enough bathrooms to fulfill each family member’s needs, this home addition is an excellent option. It will also be great for when you have multiple visitors.
Home Office
Working from home is more convenient and comfortable with an office space. Say farewell to commuting and hello to a quiet room you can devote to your tasks. Some people have spare rooms that they can convert into a home office. Those without that option will have to build one. Doing so means that you have more of an opportunity to customize it, considering you get to pick how big it is, where you want it placed, and the number of windows. With 63% of homebuyers wanting an office, this can be a fantastic selling point.
Sunroom
Elevate your house in a functional (and fun) way with a sunroom. You can either build off of your house or enclose your existing outdoor structure. This space will offer you daily exposure to sunlight, even if you don’t feel like going out in the direct Texas heat. With four-season sunrooms, in particular, being so well-insulated, they also effectively serve you in the colder months. Not only will this addition boost your home’s value, but it will provide you with health benefits. You can get your Vitamin D with ease, all year round, as you entertain your family and guests.
Bump-Outs
Bump-outs are small but mighty additions. Texas custom home builders can expand existing rooms, whether they are on the lower or upper level, from anywhere between 2 to 15 feet. Because they don’t require a massive change, they appear seamless from an outsider’s perspective. From the inside, though, you will be able to tell how much more space you have. The kitchen is where this is especially popular. You want to have enough room for all of your appliances, after all! And, if you are a cook, this could mean more counter space and even the inclusion of an island.
Any time of year is the right time to pick up a construction project with Texas custom home builders. The NARI-certified design-build contractors are Bat City Builders can fulfill an Austin homeowner’s greatest wishes. All you have to do is provide us with those wishes. Then, you and your family can enjoy the property even more. Contact us today to talk with a member of our team about what the process would be like for building your home addition.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Daniel McCullough on Unsplash
- Brett Jordan on Unsplash
- Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash