Lately we can’t stop thinking about home additions. Maybe it’s the house a few blocks away that’s currently adding what looks like a garage. Maybe it’s our new favorite HGTV show, “My Big Amazing Renovation.” Or maybe it’s simply daydreaming about what our home would look like with a second story — part of a long-term plan to avoid moving.
I came across an article on RightContractors.com that offers some useful reminders for anyone considering adding square footage. The core point is to keep design consistent — both inside and out — with your existing home and with the character of the neighborhood. The article also emphasizes the value of hiring the right professionals: a general contractor, architect or structural engineer who understands how to blend new work with what’s already there.
We’d love professional help to brainstorm a far-off addition — a second floor? A backyard bump-out? — but we also want quality work. We’d rather not hire the team responsible for the visible seam between old and new roofing on our neighbor’s addition, or the crew that bricked over a window when the previous owners converted a porch into the den we now enjoy.
Has anyone here tackled a home addition? Seen one done particularly well — or notably poorly? Any practical tips to share for planning, budgeting or choosing the right team? Even in tight times, would you recommend requesting a free estimate just to explore possibilities and get a sense of scope and cost?