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Home Additions: Building Up vs Building Out
Home Additions: Building Up vs Building Out
There are many reasons to build an addition onto your home. Your family could be expanding due to new children or parents moving in. You could be adding a California room or expanding your kitchen. You could be adding a garage or another bedroom. Regardless of your reasons for expanding, it's important to make a plan as you begin. One of the first things you'll need to decide is whether you will build your home addition upwards or outwards. There are benefits and drawbacks to either action.
Cost and Convenience
Generally speaking, building up is less expensive than building out. Building out requires digging and pouring a new foundation, making it (usually) the costlier option. On the other hand, you need to consider your family's convenience as a factor. Building a home addition upwards will likely require your family to move out for the duration of the project, while building outwards won't be as invasive of a project. While noisy and disruptive, your family will likely be able to stay in your home while the addition is being built.
Type of Addition
The type of home addition you wish to add will influence whether you build up or out. Kitchens and main living spaces tend to work best on ground floors, while extra bedrooms tend to work best on upper levels. You will want to consider what pipes, electrical fixtures, and lighting that each room needs to be functional. Bedrooms and offices tend to only need electrical and HVAC fixtures, making it easier to add them when building up - while kitchens tend to need a lot more, making them better suited for ground-level additions.
Square Footage
Your existing home and property size will likely influence your decision on whether to build up or out. Building up will limit the size of your home addition to the square footage your house already has. Building out is a great choice if you live on a big lot. Keep in mind, however, that smaller yards will limit the size of your build - especially if zoning laws are involved. Choose the option that gives you the best chance at the spaciousness you want.
Zoning Laws
In some instances, the decision to build up or out might be made for you. Some local zoning laws or HOA rules prohibit building within a certain distance from your property line or neighbor's home, causing difficulties if you have a small yard or live closer to your neighbor. Other laws restrict how high you can build, which can hinder plans if you wanted to add a third story or a second floor with high ceilings. A good builder will be familiar with local zoning laws and make sure to submit the proper permits for your home addition.
Consult a Professional
If you have any questions about building a home addition in the Bergen County, NJ area, reach out
to Becker Corp Builders and Design to learn more!
The beautiful thing about home additions is you can add on wherever you want, if you have enough land. It can be hard to decide where or what you want to add on, so here are a few ideas to help you figure it out:
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