One of the top reasons homeowners avoid adding a room to their house is the fear of disruption.
Renovations can take weeks, if not months, to complete, forcing you to make some major life changes.
Some homeowners choose to live elsewhere throughout the construction process.
Whether out of necessity or preference, others remain at home and are forced to live with the noise and chaos.
If concerns about daily disruptions are holding you back from a home addition you need, you need this guide.
Read on to learn which add-ons are least disruptive and how the right contractor can make the process a breeze.
Is Add a Room to a House Worth It?
Yes, adding a room to a house is more than worth the potential disruptions you may endure.
Depending on the room’s purpose, an add-on may significantly increase your home’s value.
Here is the return on investment (ROI) for some of the most common home additions:
- Kitchen: 83% ROI
- Home Office: 53% to 75% ROI, depending on if it also qualifies as a bedroom
- Theater Room: 65% ROI
- Master Bedroom Suite: 63%
- Bathroom: 60% to 70% ROI
- Laundry Room: 50% to 70% ROI
- Garage: 65% ROI
Other reasons a room addition is worthwhile are to create extra space for a growing family, expand storage options, or add a renter-friendly space for additional monthly income.
Types of Room Additions
Once you decide that an addition is right for your Phoenix home, you must determine where the new room will go.
Below, we explain some top options and their pros and cons.
Horizontal Additions
Also known as a build-out, a horizontal addition adds a room to the existing first-story floor plan of your home.
Choose this option if you have enough yard space to expand without significantly affecting your outdoor living area.
Most build-outs do not require homeowners to move out during renovations.
This can be an excellent choice for families with young children or homeowners wanting to avoid significant life disruptions.
Vertical Builds
Also known as a dormer, vertical builds add rooms as a second-story addition to the house.
On average, dormers produce a 40% ROI, and they do not cut into your backyard space.
A considerable downside to a vertical addition is that the roof must be removed where the dormer will go.
Homeowners will have to stay in a short-term rental or hotel during construction.
Bump Outs
Bump outs are not full-room additions, though some refer to them as micro-additions.
They involve ‘bumping out’ a wall in an existing room to create more space.
This is one of the least expensive and disruptive options.
With a micro-addition, builders do not have to alter the roof or foundation.
Homeowners can live at home and experience minimal disruptions, especially when staying in the opposite wing of the house.
Conversions
A conversion is a low-cost type of room addition with a significant impact on your home’s value.
Conversions involve renovating an unfinished room into a habitable space.
The most common areas homeowners convert are:
- Basements
- Attics
- Garages
This is another smart choice if you want to avoid disruption.
Builders will not have to make changes to the foundation, roof, or other structural components of your home, which also makes it one of the fastest ways to add on a room.
Accessory Structures
While this is not what most people mean when they want to add a room to their home, accessory structures or dwelling units (ADUs) are an increasingly popular option for expanding your floor plan.
These units sit apart from the main home.
They offer a separate space for guests and can add significant value to your home.
However, know that Phoenix has specific zoning ordinances for accessory structures.
How to Add a Room to Your Home
Room additions are not DIY jobs.
Still, there are some steps homeowners need to take before construction can begin.
Consider the Size
You probably already know what kind of room you want to add to your house.
But have you considered size? Sometimes, the size of your addition is constrained by property size or existing square footage.
Other times, homeowners have the freedom to choose.
Consulting average room sizes can help narrow down the right room size. For example, a 3500 square-foot home would feature the following room sizes:
- Living Rooms: 300-500 square feet
- Standard Bedrooms: 200-300 square feet
- Master Bedrooms: 300-400 square feet
Another way to think about room size is as a percentage of your total home.
For example, the National Association of Home Builders has found that the average master bedroom takes up at least 10.7% of a house’s floor plan.
Obtain a Permit
Phoenix, as well as all the other cities, require homeowners to obtain permits for room additions, bump-outs, conversions, and accessory structure projects.
Without a permit, you may receive a citation or be ordered to take down the structure at your own cost.
Permits are also designed to protect you and your family.
Non-permitted construction projects can lead to safety hazards, rejected insurance claims, and issues when trying to sell your home.
Hire a Builder
Once you’ve decided on the room and room size you want and apply for a permit, the next step is to contact a Design Build company.
But not just any contractor will do; you need a reliable and trustworthy expert.
Mariano & Co is not like other Phoenix contractors.
We are a Full-Service Design Build Firm, specializing in luxury remodels and home builds.
At Mariano & Co. we carefully select the highest quality materials and design elements to suit your tastes.
And with our 5-STAR Experience commitment, you won’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable in your own home.
Our white-glove services ensure your addition gets done quickly and precisely, and consistently exceeds your expectations.
Home Building Services in the Greater Phoenix Area
Build-outs, bump-outs, conversions, and accessory structures are the least disruptive options if you are considering adding a room to your house.
Working with the right contractor can also ensure a disruption-free renovation process, no matter what type of addition you choose.
Are you tired of working with one-off contractors who don’t value their work?
Mariano & Co wants to be Your Contractor for Life®.
Request a free estimate for your room addition and get the 5-STAR Experience you deserve.
Seeking the help of Chandler room addition contractors? At Mariano & Co., we specialize in luxury remodeling and renovations for high-end homes. We are committed to providing each client with a 5-Star home remodeling experience. Call (480) 287-4096 Or request an estimate online today!
