House Addition (1 Viewer)

[TheWalkmen]

My wife and I moved into our house 3.5 years ago and we're going to be running out of space soon it feels. Since moving in we've had our first two children. There are no plans for a third anytime soon, but we feel we need another room (play / tv room) off our back and then a master bath / closet above it. It would probably be 10-12x20 on each level so 400-440sq ft total.

Since it would cost $20,000-$25,000 to move, I figured it might be wise to just add on. Any thoughts on cost per sq ft with mid-range everything? Is it worth it to live through the add-on vs. moving? The thought of moving make me want to puke more than adding on to the back of the house. It is a brick house built in 1935 if that makes a difference.

 

[VA703]

if you were to live in during the add-on this is a good time of year to do it

 

[mr roboto]

when we considered an addition the design/build firm told us that it usually doesn't make straight financial sense (ie home value goes up by at least the cost of addition) but most people do it for lifestyle reasons (love the lot, don't want to move, need to put a family member in their home etc). This is not the case however for certain areas/neighborhoods. Some actually increase the value of the home by more than the cost.

I think 150-200 psf is reasonable depending on where you live and what type of foundation work needs to be done.

 

[Otis]

Don't forget the cost to your life for that ~6months. We were in a similar situation after our second arrived, and concluded that the amount of work our house needed was tremendous and would be a nightmare to live through with two small children. For that reason and others, we decided to move instead. Sometimes it's better to let it be someone else's headache...

 

[jon_mx]

My SWAG would be about $60K.

 

[TheWalkmen]

Don't forget the cost to your life for that ~6months. We were in a similar situation after our second arrived, and concluded that the amount of work our house needed was tremendous and would be a nightmare to live through with two small children. For that reason and others, we decided to move instead. Sometimes it's better to let it be someone else's headache...

Thanks, good point. We did a 6-7 week kitchen remodel in 2013 and not having a kitchen was a #####. Since this addition would be off the back of the house I don't think it would be even comparable to the kitchen remodel. Not that it won't suck, but I really don't think it would be too inconvenient. I would think we would still have full use of the entire house.

 

[eoMMan]

You should apply for that love it or list it show.

 

[parasaurolophus]

We just started a remodel project today. They dropped off the lumber this morning. They start doing the trusswork tomorrow. We will not lose any functionality since they are adding a story.

My wife was already upset about how we had to block off part of the house for the dog and that we might have to clean up some accidents because she gets pretty agitated when contractors are coming in and out and she can't get to them.

So never underestimate how upset women can get about a remodel. Even when they are the one that wants it most.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

here's an idea: http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/ANB2152.jpg