Homeowners have two options when they’ve outgrown their current space: add on or move out. If you love your neighborhood and home but just need more space, adding an addition to your house is smart. But how do you know whether to build up or build out? Often, this decision comes down to factors like the cost, your property type, and your family’s unique needs.
Our experts at Cogburn Contracting will work with you to design an addition that meets your lifestyle needs and stays within your budget. Let’s look at the pros and cons of building up and building out.
Build Up: Adding Vertical Space
Adding a second story to a house adds square footage without reducing your usable space outside. This layout is ideal for families with small children and people wanting to keep their footprint small. One-story wings, like garages or sunrooms, make the perfect places for adding a second story for additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or home offices. Some homes also have available loft space that can be converted into usable square footage above the garage.
Aside from maintaining valuable square footage in your yard, adding a second story can also add significant value to your home. In most cases, you’ll get more bang for your buck than if you build out.
Common second-story additions include:
- Additional bedrooms or bathrooms
- Dormer additions
- Home offices
- Loft conversions
- Master suites
- Over-the-garage additions
Building Out: Expanding on the Ground Level
Building out adds square footage without causing as much disruption to your home and life. Many homeowners choose to live in their houses throughout the duration of their building projects. Single-story homes offer many unique options for additions – and are a great choice for families with small children, people with mobility issues, and those who choose to age in place.
This type of addition may not be best for people who want to maximize their outdoor space, but it’s perfect for people who want a maintenance-free landscape. It also makes cleaning the roof and gutters a much easier task. If your yard isn’t usable, or if you aren’t interested in its upkeep, building out may be the ideal choice.
Typical ground-level additions include:
- Bathroom additions
- Bonus rooms
- Bump outs
- Garage additions
- Home offices
- In-law suites
- Kitchen remodels and expansions
- Laundry rooms
- Living rooms
- Mudrooms
- Sunrooms
Making the Decision: Build Up or Build Out
Choosing between building a ground-level addition and a second-story addition can be challenging. Our design team will help you consider factors like your budget, lot size, personal preferences, and lifestyle needs.
- Your budget: We’ll look at your home’s current layout and create the best solution for your growing family’s needs while remaining safely within budget constraints.
- Your lot size: Smaller properties may require a second-story addition, while large lots have more space for building out. We’ll help you choose the right fit for your needs and property type.
- Your personal preferences and lifestyle needs: We’ll ask questions like, Do you want a staircase? Do you mind losing some of your yard space? What problems do you want to solve with a home addition? Your answers will help us create the perfect storage and space solutions for your family’s unique needs.
Choose Cogburn Contracting for Your Home Addition Needs
Cogburn Contracting is a family-owned business proudly serving homeowners and businesses throughout the Dallas, Fort Worth area. If you’re feeling a little cramped in your current home or want to expand your retail space, we have the perfect solution. Trust our team to create more space to accommodate your growing family’s or business’s needs. Contact us for questions about designing and building your addition – whether building up or building out.
