Find out what you need to know about home additions in Kennebunk & Southern Maine
Do either of these thoughts sound familiar?
“We love our home and our neighborhood, but our family has expanded and we no longer have enough space.”
OR
“We’d love to buy this house! It’s almost perfect. It just needs a larger family room.”
If you’re facing these frustrating issues, a home addition or remodel is the perfect solution to add space to or to modernize your Southern Maine abode.
There are many reasons you may want to add to your home, including:
- The “fixer-upper” you purchased requires extensive updates
- Your current home no longer works for your family’s lifestyle
- You need more space
- You want to customize a historic house to fit your modern aesthetic and create a more functional living area
In this informative guide, you’ll find all you need to know about remodeling your Kennebunk or Southern Main property.
The Benefits of a Home Addition vs. Moving
Moving to a new home can be a stressful undertaking and it’s something many people would prefer to avoid. Finding a new house is challenging! It means working with a realtor and weeks – or sometimes months – of searching for the perfect fit.
If you adore your current home and neighborhood and just need to add some space or tweak a few things, an addition can accomplish that goal without the headache of moving to a new house. It’s tough to put a value on how important it is to stay in a community you know and love!
A home addition can add more space for a variety of purposes including:
- Additional bedrooms for children and guests
- In-law suite
- Home office
- Hobby or entertainment space
- Kitchen remodel or expansion
- New garage
- Rental space for extra income
- Another bathroom
Updating your existing home can also increase your home’s value and is often much more cost-effective than purchasing a new home.
Home shopping?
On the other hand, if you are in the market for a new home, as you shop, you might encounter the “it’s perfect but…” situation. An addition can turn it into the dream home you’ve been searching for!
Types of Home Additions
One of the best things about home additions is how incredibly versatile they can be. Once you know how you’ll want to use your addition, you’ll be able to figure out which type is appropriate for you and your family.
Here are some options to consider:
Bump-out
This type of addition can be smaller to accommodate a simple extension of an existing space, such as a laundry room or a kitchen, or to serve a single purpose, such as an extra bathroom or bedroom. Bump-outs are less expensive than full additions.
Full addition
These are usually multi-room structures that add space and square footage to your existing home. This type of addition is more expensive and takes longer to complete, but it can be used for just about any purpose, such as a new great room, family room, or dining area. The possibilities are endless within the confines of your budget.
Second-story addition
If you live in a single-floor home and your lot size prevents you from building out, then a second-story addition is an excellent choice! These are usually the most expensive type of home addition, but they also provide maximum flexibility.
Sunroom/entertainment space
A window-filled sunroom is a beautiful way to bring the outdoors in and add natural light during Maine’s long, chilly winters. Adding a sunroom for additional living or entertaining space can be much less expensive than other types of additions because, as a non-permanent living structure, it can forgo certain features that conventional additions require.
Cost of Home Additions
Before you finalize the plan for your addition, you’ll need to determine your budget. Along with how much you can spend, you should also consider the significant value that an addition can add to your home. Many factors go into a final dollar amount for an expansion, including some considerations you may not have thought about.
Size and scope
This comes down to square footage. Cost per square foot varies widely, but you can count on the fact that a larger expansion is going to result in a bigger bill.
Location
The cost of an addition varies by city and state. In an extreme example, if you live in Oklahoma, you can expect the figure to be much lower than if you’re adding space to a home in Hawaii. Materials are much harder to come by if they need to be shipped to an island! But you’ll also pay more if you live in a larger, urban coastal area than if you live in a smaller, inland town where home values are lower.
Materials
You’ll need roofing, plumbing and electrical supplies, walls, doors, flooring, and more. And within those categories, your choices are endless. Will you select stucco or siding for the exterior? Do you want hardwood or tile floors? The prices can vary widely depending on your choices.
Customizations and accents
Luxury light fixtures, specialty hardware, granite countertops, and other high-end features can add to the price tag of your project.
Design and architectural services
How much assistance will you need from an architect or designer? Regardless of whether they charge per hour or project, these fees will drive up the final bill.
Permits
Multiple permits are usually required when building additions and associated fees can add up, depending on how many you need and for what purpose.
Labor
The tasks associated with an addition require the services of skilled, licensed professionals, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
Building out vs. Building up
Before understanding the benefits and drawbacks of building up (with a second-floor addition) or building out (expanding your home’s ground floor footprint) you’ll want to carefully assess your property, the neighborhood zoning laws, and homeowners’ association requirements, as well as your property size. For example, does your locale prohibit home’s from going above a certain height?
Here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider before choosing the right one for you!
Building Up
Advantages
- You won’t lose any space from your yard
- Fewer zoning concerns
- Increase your home’s square footage and total value
Disadvantages
- Your roof will have to be completely removed and rebuilt
- Your contractor may have to tear down walls, ceilings, and strengthen structural supports
- Requires reworking of electrical and plumbing systems
- Your family will probably have to move out while is being completed
Building out
Advantages
- Less disruption to your daily life
- Not as costly
- It is more convenient and safer to have a single-story home
- You will have more options for varying ceiling heights and/or an array of skylight possibilities
Disadvantages
- You’ll lose some of your yard and outdoor living space
- You might need a zoning variance if you are taking up a certain amount of space on your lot, or bringing the structure closer to the sidewalk, street, or neighbors’ properties
- It will require excavation and laying of a new foundation
Hiring a General Contractor vs. DIY
Attempting to build your home addition might seem like a smart idea because it will save you money. But this isn’t necessarily true. If the process is not done correctly the first time, you might end up with a true headache down the road that costs you more dollars.
Licensed, professional general contractors have the expertise, skills, and knowledge
to juggle all of the moving parts and complete the home expansion of your dreams.
Here are some reasons why you’re better off working with a remodeling general contractor than trying to do the work yourself:
- Time – A DIY home addition could end up becoming a full-time job on top of your already busy schedule.
- Safety – A contractor will make sure the job is completed safely and according to code.
- Flexibility – They can create a plan that fits into your budget and modify it if something unexpected happens.
- Code and permit laws – A professional contractor is familiar with local building codes, can ensure that your plans meet the regulations, and understands how to navigate the process.
- Materials – A contractor will have extensive knowledge about materials and therefore be able to help you choose which will be most effective for each aspect of the project and suggest alternatives if some are unavailable or too expensive.
- Insurance – They hold their own insurance, which protects you if someone is injured while working on your property or if your home is damaged during the building process.
Get Started With Your Kennebunk or Southern Maine Home Addition
Your home is an important investment. It is also where you return to after a busy day, your retreat from the outside world, and where you spend time with your loved ones. You deserve to have a home that is both beautiful and functional!
Ready to get started on a home addition to create the space of your dreams? At Auld Building Company, we know how overwhelming a renovation can be. Our experienced team will guide you through the process, providing accurate cost estimates for designs that fit your family’s lifestyle.
At Auld Building Company, we create long-term relationships with our customers built from loyalty, trust, and respect. That’s why our clients end up being more like family at the end of the job. Read some of our customer testimonials to learn more! Contact us for an estimate.