Are you considering a home addition in Delta? As the cost of building goes up, home additions are becoming increasingly popular. At Alair Delta, we used to do about one or two additions a year. Recently, we’ve done five additions in just the last 12 months.
When to consider an addition
- When you need more living space for a growing family.
- When you want to add square footage without incurring the costs of moving.
- When you are looking for ways to increase the real value of your home.
- When due to a limited housing supply, you can’t find a suitable home for you and your family.
- When you love your home and your neighbourhood but you just need more space.
- When financing the project may be easier than a new build.
The kinds of home additions we see
We see all kinds of home additions, everything from additional bedrooms and bathrooms, to making room for home offices and gyms. Some families may want to expand an existing room, say the kitchen or living room, to enlarge the entire footprint of the house. Another popular reason for an addition to your home is to create a rental suite or an in-law suite. We also see clients wanting to create a new garage bay or needing some additional storage space.
In the Tsawwassen area, we see a lot of side splits or back splits. One of the most common types of home additions we do is an addition on top of the single storey portion of a split level home.
The most economical and least intrusive addition is one made to the side of a house. (This only works if there is room within the zoning footprint.) We can often get much of the demolition and structural work done before we need to open up the connections into the existing home. These additions are also often easiest to work with during inclement weather.
What to consider before you start
Before you embark on a home addition, there are some key factors to consider.
- If you’re looking to create a rental suite, be sure to research local rental and short-term rental bylaws.
- Check the zoning. Can you gain enough space to make the effort worthwhile?
- Ensure your existing home is in good enough condition. Starting a project like this can lead to additional improvements and repairs. Consider the other elements of the house that will be impacted or may need to be upgraded.
- We work with architects and architectural designers to help make sure the addition blends into the rest of the house. So consider how far you want to take the project into the rest of your home.
- Do you need to stay in the house during the project? If you are trying to add space above, this is probably a no. It is stressful to live through a renovation. You may be better served emotionally and even financially to rent while the project is underway. Keep in mind that if we have to work around a family living in the space, it can impact the construction timeline and cost. This may offset the savings on a rental during the project.
- Additions are still a major construction project on your home and can be stressful. Ensure you’re mentally prepared to deal with the cost, the construction, the noise, etc.
How does doing an addition affect the resale value of your home?
Adding things like a rental suite, additional bedrooms and bathrooms, or just adding some square footage, will usually increase the resale value for your home. Increasing the equity in the home can often offset the project costs.
We suggest looking at the average prices per square foot of houses in your neighbourhood to give you a realistic sense. And be sure to speak with a local realtor to help better understand the projected increased value.
Build your home addition with Alair Delta
At Alair, we’ve done dozens of home additions on different sizes and types of homes. We are specialists in planning the entire project up front. That means we can confirm requirements and set realistic budgets before starting demolition on your property. We also work with an experienced group of trades who are familiar with dealing with older building components.
Additions usually make sense for growing families, when children get older or another relative moves in. With a trend towards multigenerational living, home additions in Delta can be a great way to make your home continue to serve you and your family.
