A home addition can be the perfect solution when you love your home, need more space, but don’t want to move. However, Edmonton home additions are much more involved and costly than a general renovation, but can be worth it when you measure improved function, lifestyle, and resale value.
Working with a contractor is a must to ensure quality work but being prepared and informed is also vital. Before you start planning any home addition, know the costs and process so you can plan accordingly.
Kay2 Contracting is an expert at home additions and commits to ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. They share all you need to know about home addition costs and planning in Edmonton:
Determine your goals
Before you start putting together any budgets or dream boards, think about your home addition goals. While a home addition does add extra square footage, how will you use it?
Is it a major addition to add a whole new room (or rooms) or a second level, or is it just a bit more space for the kitchen or a bathroom? Will you be building the addition up or out? If your goal is to build up and add a new floor, can your home structurally support that new weight? Asking these questions helps direct your goals so you can approach your contractor with a clearer game plan.
While planning, consider your long-term and future goals for any Edmonton home additions. Even though you may want to stay in your home for the rest of your life, unexpected factors could change those plans. In that case, setting some resale value goals for your design is worthwhile. Take care that you don’t solely build for potential buyers as it may not always appeal. However, ask your contractor what housing designs and additions are appealing in real estate so you can plan accordingly.
What affects the cost
Several factors can affect the overall cost of home additions; while some are flexible, others are not. Renovating an older home, for example, could knock loose some surprises. Asbestos, knob-and-tube wiring, or lead pipes are all fixed costs that need repairing or replacing. The addition’s size will affect costs as more involved, and labour-intensive additions have higher price ranges. Designer and architect fees, building permits, appraisals and even temporary relocation fees affect those fixed costs. These are just part of the process.
Flexible costs, like fixtures or finishes, can vary depending on how luxurious you plan to decorate the addition. For example, outfitting a new bathroom requires plumbing and shower designs and new toilets and sinks. The cost can change here depending on the quality of those new plumbing and the overall layout you choose.
A kitchen bump-out may cost less if you add a few new cabinets or a new breakfast nook. However, it will cost more if you are expanding with custom cabinets and high-end countertops. Remember, no matter the type of Edmonton home additions you choose, there will also be some exterior finishes to consider. That could mean new shingles or siding, possibly some new fixtures and maybe some lighting.
Knowing all the factors that affect the overall cost will help you understand the total estimate. Then, you can plan the proper budget or tweak elements until it fits.
Types of additions
The types of home additions you choose will also affect the cost as size, amount of materials, and labour all play a role.
Adding a room
Adding another room is one of the more popular additions that can easily be designed for a few different uses. A room addition can mean a new bathroom, bedroom, mudroom, office, or laundry room. Depending on what is missing in your home, this addition can add function to your home.
Sunroom addition
Another type of room addition that bridges both the indoors and outdoors is a sunroom. Compared to a complete addition, a sunroom can cost less, which makes it an attractive option. Sunrooms can be designed as a three-season for use during the spring through fall or a four-season for year-round enjoyment. Sunrooms provide abundant natural light, easy access to the outdoors and flexible space. You can set it up as an indoor garden, dining room, lounge, or cozy office.
Second level addition
A more significant home addition is a second-story addition. Kay2 Contracting can inspect your current one-story home to determine if adding a second level is structurally possible and permitted in your neighbourhood. You can use a second story for additional bedrooms, bathrooms, a family room, a home office, and more.
Bump-out addition
A bump-out is the perfect solution for a smaller addition that still adds function and new space. These add to an existing area by providing extra space, such as expanding a bathroom or adding more room to the kitchen. In addition, a bump-out can provide the perfect solution if storage is a concern or issue. For example, expanding a closet, the pantry or creating new space for cabinets can add valuable storage spaces that keep your home clutter-free.
Breaking down the costs
Remember that the final cost will depend on whether you are building up or sideways and what materials are involved. As a general rule of thumb, however, a home addition will cost between $86 to $208 per square foot.
An average 300 square foot addition can cost $25,800 to $62,400, while a 400 square foot addition ranges from $34,500 to $83,200.
Bathroom additions can also widely vary in cost as factors like new plumbing or new fixtures can all affect the price. If you are moving plumbing around or roughing in new plumbing, that can spike the additional cost.
A sunroom addition cost will vary depending on the labour, materials and size. For example, three-season sunrooms don’t have the same heating and insulation needs so the price could be lower. On the other hand, four-season sunrooms have heating and insulation installed for the winter, so it costs more. On average, it can range from $8,000 to around $30,000.
If you are looking for a bigger types of home additions, such as a second story, a 1,000-square foot addition jumps to around $147,000+. That is because a second-story addition involves some hefty construction, such as removing the roof, adding a new support structure and then the new level. You’ll need to build a staircase to access the new floor. Then the plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems need to be connected, and the new floor finishes with paint and fixtures.
Work with a trusted contractor
While a home addition can feel daunting and costly, it’s a worthwhile investment if it’s the right decision for you and your home. Working with a trusted contractor helps remove that stress and concern, as they have the skills and experience to provide a seamless process.
With Kay2 Contracting, they provide exceptional service from concept through to completion for all types of home additions. They start by discussing your vision, needs, and long-term goals. From there, their team will discuss and create an accurate estimate. During that conversation, they’ll make recommendations and suggestions to help you achieve your dream without breaking the bank.
The design stage is where you can discuss the fine details of the project and get a sense of how the space will look once completed. Then, once it’s time to build, the process will continue with peace of mind and a stress-free process thanks to the detailed planning and conversations beforehand.
Ready to add to your home? Contact Kay2 Contracting today!
