How to make a Decision between Building up and Building out?

Lack of adequate space can make coming back to your home a dreadful task. No one likes a crammed space. When you feel that your home is bursting at the seams, a home addition project can come to your rescue.

Building Up or Out: Find an Answer to the Home Addition Dilemma

Before beginning with the project, there is one important thing that deserves your attention. Do you want to increase the size of your home vertically or horizontally? Would you like a second story addition or is a simple bump out sufficient for you? Here’s how you can make a choice between building up and building out.

• Does it solve the Space Problem?

If you have additional space around your home and there are no zoning restrictions, homeowners consider building out to be the best solution. But, remember that the right decision comes with the right understanding of your requirements. Think about the current floor plan of your home. Do you think that a simple room addition will solve your space problems? Will a rear addition make the home spacious? Or is a garage conversion the best solution for you? Home addition will make everlasting changes to your home. So, don’t forget to consider your future needs as well.

• Does it require more Efforts?

Building out or ground floor additions are easier than adding a second story to your home. It is because they cause less disruption. And, you may not need to alter the entire floor plan of your home. You can use an existing doorway or window to add a new room, saving you the efforts of tearing down the walls. On the other hand, if you are adding a whole new floor with bathrooms, you will need to extend the power lines as well as the drainage lines.

• Time is the Key

If you want to add space to a kitchen, it will not be a time-consuming task. It is because a small bump out doesn’t involve putting additional weight on the existing foundation. The home additions contractor will dig out the required area in the yard and lay a foundation to build the walls. It is as simple as that. But, a building up project will require him to make the foundation capable of bearing extra weight.

• The Burden of Money

When the home addition is complicated and time-consuming, your expenses will be high. But, it doesn’t mean that building out will be less expensive than a second-story home addition. If the access to the construction area is constrained or you need to install HVAC for the new room, the cost can increase. Even specific plumbing requirements can add to the cost. So, it is essential that you discuss the different cost centers before making the decision.

The Final Decision

When it comes to choosing between building out and building up, it all comes down to making optimum use of available sources. Consider your preferences, the zoning laws of your area and choose the option that is the simplest, in terms of efforts, time and money.

Remember that making the right decision is essential because it has the potential to put a permanent end to your space constraints. So, take your time and decide whether building up or building out is the right choice for your home.

Whether it is building up or building out, having a reliable Toronto-based home additions contractor at your beck and call can make things simpler for you. An experienced contractor can undertake complicated second-story additions as well as quick kitchen additions to give you the home you desire.

When you love your work, you don't consider it work. I started The Home Improvement Group because building and renovating Toronto Homes has always been a fascination for me.