Home remodeling is an exciting but stressful project for homeowners. You may want to expand the floor area but are unsure which home addition option suits your needs. Two of the most common options, building out and building up, both offer advantages and a few trade-offs.

What Are Your Home Addition Options?

There are many ways to expand the space in your home. It can be as simple as adding a garage or a bump-out that extends a few feet from the main house. However, if you need a larger space, you can either build up or build out.

When building out, or expanding horizontally, contractors add space to the ground level of your home, using a part of your yard. When building up, or expanding vertically, they will add a floor to your home.

Why Should You Invest in a Home Addition?

If your family is growing and you love your present neighborhood, investing in home remodeling is a smart decision. You don’t need to move your kids away from their peers and schools, which may happen if you opt to buy a bigger house elsewhere.

Homeowners also invest in home addition projects to increase resale value. Recouping your investment, however, depends on your location. If you are selling the house shortly after remodeling it, research your area’s real estate market to check whether or not the investment will add enough value to give a positive return.

How Should You Decide Between Options?

First, check your area’s zoning codes. What are the setback and floor-area-ratio requirements? Are there restrictions on home sizes and allowable heights? If so, will either building up or out violate any of these?

Next, consider your budget and living preferences. Building out can cost you more in materials and labor. You may also have to give up your garden or retain a smaller yard. However, building out is safer and more practical if you have small children, elderly relatives, and family members with mobility issues.

If budget is a concern, then building up is a better option for you. You gain more floor space at a lower cost, and you get to keep your yard. Keep in mind that the new staircase will eat up 80 to 120 square feet of your floor space.

For over 10 years, locally owned Maendele Construction LLC has been providing fully insured roofing and siding services to residential and commercial properties around Hastings and Grand Island, NE. The company also handles home remodeling, additions, and new home construction, extending a 3-year workmanship warranty on all their work. Their team of experts understands your local construction needs, so you can be sure that your home or business is in good hands. To get a free estimate, visit their website or call (402) 984-3906.