Maybe your family is expanding. Or maybe you just feel like you need more space to spread out. Whatever your reasons may be, you might just be in the market for an addition to your family room.
The Decision to Add On
Why add on? Moving to a new home can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. And why should you leave behind your beloved neighborhood, school zone, friends, and family just to get that little extra bit of square footage?
The short answer is – you don’t have to. There’s a happy compromise that meets right in the middle: a home addition. An addition is a perfect solution for those who need more room in their home but don’t want to move. It gives you the flexibility to customize your space without uprooting your life. And while additions can be costly, we promise that it is much less expensive than reentering the real estate market at the moment!
Is a Family Room Addition Right For You?
So, how do you know if a family room addition is a right move for you? Well, it ultimately comes down to a cost-benefit analysis. Of course, everyone weighs costs and benefits differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But a renovation and remodeling firm like McDermott can quickly tell you whether the addition is a suitable project for you and your budget.
Weighing the Costs
According to the 2021 Home Guide, an average room addition can run you anywhere between $86 and $208 per square foot. Typically, you’ll spend between $22,000 and $74,000, all told.
Home Guide estimates that a 20×20 family room addition can cost, on average, upwards of $45,000. Plus, not all home additions are created equal. Larger additions require foundation work, but a minimal extension or a ‘bump out,’ can expand your space without the added groundwork. Or, you could always gut and repurpose existing space, like a garage or the basement.
Whatever you decide on, the design and scope must meet local zoning regulations and safety codes, so you’ll have to deal with that hurdle no matter what kind of addition you choose.
Aside from the hefty price tag, here are some additional factors to consider when deciding on an addition. An investment of this size may be more worthwhile if you plan to stay in the home for at least five to ten years or more. This disperses the cost over time and ensures that you get enough use out of the space to justify the expense.
However, money isn’t always the biggest consideration. Even if you don’t plan to stay in the home that long, some people feel that the upgrade they’ll get out of the space is worth the expense. Everybody has different ways to justify the cost, and they’re all equally valid!
Family Room Addition Considerations
If you have thought it through and feel that a family room addition is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind when adding to your space.
1. Function
Is your family room addition going to be a spot for the little kids to play, a high-tech entertainment zone, or just a space where all your friends can gather for book club? It’s essential to think about how you plan to use this space, as this will help you envision the final product and assess what features you want to include.
2. Location
Remember when we mentioned zoning restrictions and safety codes? Those will definitely play into your decision-making when it comes time to choose the location of your addition. When you combine the legal considerations with the functional aspects, you’ll need to think very carefully about where you’d like to put your addition.
3. Features
Before you add all kinds of fancy gadgets and furniture, think about the permanent features of the space. The big ones are lighting, storage, electrical outlets, and plumbing. Think back to the function of the room: if you want an entertainment zone, you’ll need loads of electrical outlets. Do you want a well-lit space with integrated overhead lighting, maybe with a dimmer switch? Do you want to add a bathroom or a bar? Do you want built-in storage? These are all questions that need answering before you break ground.
If you’re inspired by the notion of a family room addition, J.T. McDermott can help. Let us show you how an addition can transform your home and turn it into the space you’ve always wanted! Get started today.
