Is it Cheaper to Build Your Home Out or Up?

There are two ways that you can choose to add on to your house. They are up (vertical) or out (horizontal). Your choice will typically depend on what type of addition you are planning, zoning regulations, and budget. In theory, it is cheaper to build up. However, when you add up all of the costs involved with building up, this theory does not always match reality. You have already made the decision to add more space to your home, now you must choose in which direction you would like to build. Before you make your determination, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced builder like the professionals at Home Care Contractors. They can help you to discuss the pros and cons of each method. When making your choice, it is important to consider resale value and what purpose the home addition will have. For instance, kitchen additions or a new living space will typically be ground floor build-outs. However, each case is different. Learn more about the costs, pros, and cons associated with building up or out below.

Pros and Cons of Building Up

Building up can save you from having to give up space in your back or front yard. This allows you to keep the footprint of the house the same. However, your contractor will likely need to reinforce your foundation to ensure that it can handle the weight of the new room. Building up can be great for additional bedrooms, recreational areas, workout rooms, etc. They can be built on top of existing garages, sunrooms, etc. Before building up, you should check the zoning laws as some municipalities do not allow for homes to go above certain heights. Furthermore, you may have to take time away from your home during construction as the roof may have to be removed during the construction process. Overall, building up is only ideal if it’s necessary.

Pros and Cons of Building Out

Deciding to build out invariably means that you will increase the overall footprint of your home. In some cases, you may run into zoning issues by doing this and will also lose a portion of your back or front yard. However, building out is typically much less disruptive than building up. Furthermore, you are likely to have a higher resale value with a horizontal build in comparison to a vertical build. If you are creating a small addition to your home, you may be able to do a “bump-out” instead of construction that will require foundational work. Additionally, when building out you are less likely to have to leave the premises during construction.

Making the Right Decision

It should be noted that build-outs and build-ups rarely offer a 100% return on investment. However, some additions offer greater returns than others (i.e. kitchen, master suite, bathroom). It is important to work with a reliable and reputable contractor before making your choice. After all, you will have to live with this decision for some time to come. It should be well thought out and executed by professionals that know what they are doing. The only way to be sure of which type of addition will be more costly is to break down the entire project (including all ancillary expenses). There is not a “one size fits all” answer. It will depend on your specific home, the materials used, what type of addition it is, and how well it is executed.