Upgrading Your Lifestyle With Home Additions

In this month’s entry, we’re focusing on the ins-and-outs of home addition projects. Home additions are a great way to increase the value of your daily living space without relocating or otherwise modifying the layout of your existing space. With the right planning and execution, home additions can have a hugely positive impact on your lifestyle to provide the space and functionality you’re craving. 

There is a lot to consider when embarking on a home addition project. Whether you’re deciding on what space to build or trying to break down the logistics of the project, it’s important to take your time. Lean into the process of developing a plan, and make sure you’re thinking in the long term. Read on to learn more about custom home additions and why we love them.

 

Different Types of Home Additions

Ultimate Renovations has covered just about any addition you could conceive, and we’ve seen a lot of great projects come to fruition. Here are some of the most common types of additions we see. All of these spaces are thoughtfully designed to increase not only the value of a home but the enjoyment of its inhabitants.

 

Office 

A home office is a great use of space, but often not the priority. In a home where most bedrooms are in use, family comes first. If you frequently have company staying with you, sharing the spare room as a workspace is inconvenient. With remote work becoming more and more common in the digital age, an office space can be an essential feature for many households, and can even double as storage space if cleverly thought out.

 

Gym 

In a busy household focused on well-being, the benefits of a home gym cannot be overstated. Rather than having to seek childcare or worry about leaving your house at odd hours, investing in a home gym provides privacy without the monthly price tag. Now more than ever, many individuals are further inclined to privatize their workout space to avoid uncontrollable interruptions to their routines and mitigate their exposure to pathogens. A private at-home gym also provides the opportunity to customize equipment needs and set-up positions according to your needs.

 

Prep Kitchen

A new space becoming more and more popular among families and entertainers alike is the prep kitchen. These handy expansions provide ample pantry and counter space and are particularly favoured in homes with open floor plans in the main kitchen area. A well-designed prep kitchen leaves plenty of room for storing ingredients and kitchen accessories, and may even house additional appliances. 

 

Mudrooms 

There’s nothing quite like the hectic hustle of moving a family through a cramped entryway in the morning. With laundry on the go, strollers, and sports bags, making room for everyone’s ‘stuff’ can easily be accommodated in a new mudroom. You might even consider this an opportunity to add an additional point of entry to your home to make bringing in groceries and keeping the front door free of clutter a breeze. 

 

Master Retreat 

Retiring to your beloved bedroom at the end of a long day is an understated luxury. Why not make the most of it by increasing your bedroom area’s square footage? This opens up tons of options for closets, spas, and additional private living spaces to unwind in. 

 

 The Sky is the Limit

The above are just a few ideas to consider when it comes to popular home addition choices. You might even consider building a guest suite or expanding your garage space. Art studios and project workshops are other great options. The wonderful thing about custom home additions is that you can build them to suit your needs rather than reconfiguring an already-built area of your home. Of course, the most common place we see home additions is in the kitchen. It’s no surprise that with growing families and changing needs many will opt to reimagine this space in a home they’ve come to grow and love and what better way to do that than by giving yourself more space to dream!

 

 

Where To Start

Now that we’ve filled you up with inspiration for your custom home addition, there are many different orders of business that must be completed before it can commence. The foundation and structural limitations of your home must be kept top of mind when investigating your addition, as should local bylaws. Real Property Reports (RPR’s) will also clearly define your property lines and the location of any structures and easements which can dictate the scale of addition that’s possible. This research is an important step that can take time, so ensure you’ve budgeted for that in your timeline if you’re considering a home addition renovation. 

 

Why We Love Home Additions

 

Any Time of Year

These projects are a favourite because they can be completed any time of year – and yes, as an Alberta business, we mean it when we say it! A skilled renovator will be able to minimize any impact on heat loss throughout your home, and see the project through with minimal disruption to occupants, which brings us to our next point.

 

No Need to Relocate

With a well-thought-out home addition, you can gain the spaciousness you’ve dreamed of without sacrificing your location. Instead of disrupting the kids, saying bye to beloved neighbours, or worse your dream home, create it with additional space. 

An in-law suite is also a great option for folks who need to look after relatives who require constant care – rather than uprooting them and having them adjust to the stress of a new and unfamiliar environment. The right addition can be the perfect solution to the challenges of life.

 

Add Value

At the end of the day, it’s no surprise that the more square footage you add to your home, the higher its value becomes – both intrinsically and extrinsically. After all – the number of bedrooms is a key selling point in any home. So why wouldn’t a home gym, office, or mudroom do the same? Adding additional space is sure to increase your home’s sale value when the time comes to move on. In the meantime, you’ll reap the enjoyment of having a space you love, crafted precisely the way you wanted it.

 

 

Keep in Mind

Once you’ve decided you want to move forward with a custom home addition, it’s important to understand the requirements of this particular type of renovation. Because it is being built from scratch, you will need to ensure all the materials, engineering, and skilled labour necessary are lined up in order to properly take care of…

• HVAC 
• Electrical 
• Plumbing 
• Flooring 
• Drywall
• Roofing 
• Siding 
• Soffit 
• Fascia 
• Eavestroughs

And more, depending on the type of addition you are going for. This is where it is important to have skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable professionals available to help with planning and execution. 

 

 

The Ultimate Addition

Now that you’ve gained a bit more insight into the home addition process, we hope you feel prepared in your considerations of this valuable home renovation project. For any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact your friendly local team of experts at Ultimate Renovations.