Upward Mobility — Home Additions that Go Up Instead of Out
Running out of space on your property can really thwart an effort for a home addition. In this case, you may want to consider adding up instead of expanding out. That sprawling addition might just have to grow upward toward the sky. After making sure your local zoning will permit upward expansion of your home, it’s worth talking to a home remodeler or general contractor about your options. The cost is usually approximately the same per square foot as if you were expanding out, but you do need to account for lost square footage due to stairways. In addition, expanding up will completely change the “curb appeal” of your home. For instance, adding a second story to a single-story cottage will turn it into a colonial or PERHAPS a home with a contemporary flair. Cape Cod “pop ups,” as we call them, are quite common and keep the integrity of the home’s style.
If you’re ready for a whole new personality for your home, upward mobility might be just the key. Adding a second floor for a bedroom, bathroom or sitting room seems like an easy enough addition that wouldn’t disrupt the flow and function of the first-floor rooms. But what if you were hoping to add on to your kitchen? That may take some innovation and shuffling of rooms. While you won’t put the kitchen on the second level, you might remove some surrounding walls on the first floor to expand the kitchen, then move the family room, office or laundry room upstairs to the new addition. Work with the remodeler to define your lifestyle and the best way to address your family’s needs.
If you love your home’s location but can’t make it bigger on the ground floor, look up, and see the possibilities.
