Have you ever looked around your home and thought, “I wish we had just a little bit more space!” If you have, you’re certainly not alone. Plenty of homeowners have experienced this dilemma: there’s not quite enough space for your liking, but it’s also not a big enough problem to necessitate a move.
Besides, you love your home. It’s served you well over the years, and you wouldn’t trade your neighbors, school district, or local library for anything. Still, it is starting to feel a little bit cramped, especially now that you’re working from home.
The good news is, there’s no reason to move. A modern home addition gives you the extra space you need without having to pull up roots. If you have the financial resources and a decent knowledge of local building ordinances—or at least the ability to research them—a home addition can be a great option.
Not only will it improve your quality of life in the short-term, but it can also increase the market value of your home over time.
In the Zone
Before you think about breaking ground, you need to understand your limitations. Of course, money might be the first factor that comes to mind, but even that comes second to local construction bylaws, zoning, and if you live in a historical neighborhood, heritage associations. Municipal residential law can be a pain to navigate since it can influence pretty much every aspect of homeownership.
Image from legallifepath.com
In Maryland, as anywhere, the rules are plentiful and complicated. Zoning depends on the neighborhood you live in and the type of dwelling that you live in. Take, for example, Howard County’s 2013 document on zoning regulations. The material is dense, but it provides all the necessary information for any home additions you might want to build, either now or in the future. If this seems daunting, don’t worry. You don’t have to do it alone.
Part of Winthorpe’s process is helping homeowners navigate the complexities of zoning restrictions and local bylaws. Part of your design-build team’s expertise is their ability to handle these matters. We take care of the confusing stuff, so you can get back to what you do best.
Once your team has dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on all the paperwork, you’re ready to get to the good stuff—i.e., the construction. Of course, signing off on permits may not be glamorous, but it is a necessary part of the process. At Winthorpe, we give local ordinances due attention, so you don’t run into problems down the line.
Deciding on Your Addition Design
Image from gvdrenovationsinc.com
After considering the legal aspect of your addition, it’s time to explore the design of the structure itself. There’s a trick to home additions, though. Because you’re blending an old building with an entirely new architectural feature, design consistency can be an issue. Maybe your online searches are bringing up super-stylish home additions that look nothing like your existing structure. This is the hard part about adding on to any home, but more so with an older home.
While it is acceptable to build an addition that doesn’t match your home’s exterior (it’s your home, after all), it’s a bit of a risky move. You could end up with a jarring, out-of-place looking structure, and while you may love it, not every prospective home buyer will feel the same way. The safer bet is to go with an addition that flows nicely into your existing infrastructure.
Winthorpe’s architects and interior design experts do their utmost to ensure a seamless transitional flow between your existing home and your soon-to-be home. We have unprecedented access to materials and finishes and will help you find you the perfect match. Our goal is always to accommodate the aesthetic of the home to the best of our ability.
What’s Hot?
KIM SAYER / GETTY IMAGES
Depending on zoning bylaws, you can add onto almost any part of your home, either on the ground floor or upper levels. In our experience, some of the most popular additions are used for family rooms, master suites, auxiliary dwellings, and sunrooms. These kinds of structures have universal appeal, making them excellent choices for maximizing your home’s value over time.Whatever type of home addition you are dreaming of, Winthorpe’s team of passionate, experienced professionals are ready to make it happen. From bump-outs to build-ons, we do it all. All you have to do is give us a call, and we’ll get started.
