Even Maryland homeowners who love their homes often still envision improvements. They may start to feel cramped, outdated, or simply anxious to make a change to their space. Remodels and home additions offer two similar options for updating a home’s style, value, or functionality. However, the two processes must be planned, budgeted, and executed differently.
Maryland homeowners should recognize these differences to ensure their approach to home improvements aligns with their needs. This article walks through the home addition and home remodeling processes to compare their scope, process, cost, and value.
These differences can undoubtedly affect the viability of each process for homeowners who not only want to improve their home but also avoid the costly process of fixing a wrong decision.
What is a Home Addition?
An addition is built onto the home to create new spaces. These can be outward, in the case of an expansion or new room, or upward, in the case of second-story additions. Home additions often include new primary suites, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and more.
The easiest way to classify them is to understand that additions increase the usable square footage of the home. They have comparatively high costs upfront, but provide a higher potential to increase the value of the house when done well.
What is a Home Remodel?
A home remodel changes the structure of an existing space without impacting the overall square footage. This can include changing the layout to an open plan design, removing a wall, converting bathroom fixtures, or making other changes to the floor plan. The goal of a remodel is to maintain the home’s original structure while updating its usability for improved style, flow, or functionality.
Home remodels tend to have lower labor and material costs compared to additions, but cannot always increase the value of the house to the same degree. However, kitchen and bathroom remodels are selling points valued by many Maryland homebuyers. These projects can increase the value potential of well-planned remodels, even if they make no changes to the usable square footage.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Addition or Remodel
Here are some of the most important considerations for Maryland homeowners when choosing between a home addition and a home remodel:
1. Space Limitations
Many homeowners begin planning an addition or remodel in response to floor plans that feel cramped, awkward, or underutilized. In some cases, the obvious solution is to simply add a new room, such as a dedicated office or a new bedroom.
However, many spaces can be refreshed with a new layout, new cabinets and appliances, or a change in flow. Without expanding the footprint of the home at all, remodels can bring a space up to date, open the floor, and promote multipurpose use.
2. Zoning Restrictions
Home remodels in Maryland often face fewer restrictions than additions. Though removing walls or changing plumbing and electrical systems can require extra documentation, home improvements that maintain the same footprint are less regulated.
Since they change the square footage of the home, home additions will likely fall under local zoning laws or HOA rules. Maryland homeowners need to know where their property line is and the exact restrictions governing additions near that line. For any addition, architectural planning, home remodeling permits for maryland, and local compliance are essential considerations before the project begins.
Local design firms help Maryland homeowners clarify the restrictions on their projects, the relevant local building codes, and the steps needed to properly permit their home addition or remodel. Asking these questions early in the process can help Maryland homeowners decide between additions and remodels by factoring in their individual restrictions.
3. Lifestyle Changes
Home remodels and additions will impact the usability of the home differently. Kitchen and bathroom remodels can temporarily restrict access to important rooms. Home additions that require heavier construction may not directly impact these essential spaces, but they may require the occupants to relocate if electrical, HVAC, or plumbing systems are involved.
Consider how a remodel or addition will impact daily routines when deciding between them. The project timeline can help put lifestyle disruptions into context.
4. Personal Goals
Remodels and additions achieve different goals, which is why homeowners should consider their intentions when deciding between them. Well-planned additions can expand the home and tangibly increase its value or make it more usable for a growing family. Careful remodels can improve an existing home’s style and functionality without going through a major construction process.
Partner with an Experienced Design Team to Make the Right Decision for Your Southern Maryland Home
At Southern Maryland Kitchen & Bath, our team of experts recognizes the challenges in deciding between home additions and remodels. We partner with in-house installers and tradesmen to give homeowners expert advice on the process, timeline, benefits, and drawbacks of each possible home improvement project.
Our goal is to make sure that Maryland homeowners have all the information they need to make home improvements that benefit their situation and achieve their goals.
Contact our team today to learn more about home additions and remodels in your area. Our in-house team of experts and design team will help address your concerns from all possible angles to help make the best decision for your home.
