What You Need to Know About Home Additions in Maryland and Washington, DC

Let’s not beat around the bush: when it comes to home additions, you’re looking at a hefty investment of time, money, and patience. Additions are a labor of love because they’re one of the most, if not the most expensive modifications you can make to your house.

Fix It or Nix It?

If you are considering a home addition, ask yourself whether the project is worth the stress and investment. Can you justify an addition, or would you be better off moving?

Maybe the idea of selling your home and moving elsewhere is entirely off the table. You love your community, your school district, and your friends. Moreover, you love your home! The only problem is the size. It’s starting to feel a bit cramped, but the pinch doesn’t feel significant enough to make you abandon ship altogether.

So, if you’re not ready to sell and think that a home addition may be the solution to all your problems, consider these questions first:

• How long do you plan to stay in the home?
• What does your five-to-ten-year plan look like?
• How will the proposed addition accommodate your family’s needs and lifestyle?
• Is it something that could be resolved with minor interior tweaks or reorganizing?
• What are you going to use the space for?

The answers to these questions will help you determine whether or not an addition really is the right fit. If you see yourself moving out of the home in a few years, you might want to hold onto your money. Instead of putting it towards the addition, save it for when you’re ready to buy a new home. In the meantime, think about how you can reorganize your home to maximize the space you already have.

If you’re currently running low on room, you probably already have an idea about how you’re going to use the new addition. If that’s the case, be sure to let your contractor know what you have in mind. They will use this information to help you plan the perfect home addition and accommodate your ideas and lifestyle into the design.

The Logistics

With your initial brainstorming out of the way, it’s time to think about a new addition’s logistics. Here are a few items to ponder:

• Where do you want to put the addition?
• Do you have the space?
• What are you willing or able to spend?
• Are you hoping for a financial return on the investment?
• Can you get a permit to build what you want?

Identifying your goals and setting limitations is important before you get started. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car before considering all your options, so you shouldn’t take pricey home modifications lightly either. Ultimately, if you can clearly and confidently answer all those questions, a home addition may be just the thing for you.

Money Talks

At Winthorpe Design & Build, we believe in being realistic about the scope of a project. That’s why it’s essential to get an idea of pricing right off the bat. In Maryland, the average cost of a home addition with ‘standard grade construction’ rings in at around $140 per square foot. This means you can expect to pay about $30,000-$35,000 for a small to mid-sized addition with decent-quality materials.

As a general rule, it costs more money to build up rather than out, which is why many homeowners elect to add on to the first floor of their home. Breakfast nooks, family rooms, offices, first-floor bedrooms, master or in-law suites, porches, sunrooms, and garages are all popular and frequently-requested first-floor additions. However, if you’re looking to expand your upper floors, there are plenty of options there too. 

Ultimately, a home addition is not a small renovation. It is an extensive—and expensive—project, and it may test your patience. But for those of you who do commit to this journey, you’ll find the results are well worth it. You can customize your home to fit your needs, ensuring comfort and enjoyment for many years to come. 

When you choose Winthorpe for your home addition, you’re working with the very best. Our years of experience and reputation for quality craftsmanship, passion, and enthusiasm for the art of design goes a long way to ensuring the process is as enjoyable as it can be. Are you ready to get started? To find out what we can do for you, connect with us today.