Many Los Angeles parents find they can quickly outgrow their existing home as their family gets bigger. Young couples often buy a small starter home in a great location, but end up cramped for space once kids come along. As families grow, kids and parents each want private space they don’t have to share with other members of the family.
Gaining more space for a growing family requires one of two options: Moving to a larger home or adding space to an existing home by building a home addition. Building an addition requires significant time, money and effort but provides a larger, more optimal living space which can meet a family’s needs well into the future.
GreatBuildz, a free service in Los Angeles that connects homeowners with general contractors and often works with families looking to expand their space with a home addition.Their team matches homeowners with reputable, licensed contractors who pass a rigorous screening process and sign a 20-point Code of Conduct. In addition, GreatBuildz provides homeowners with personalized guidance and ongoing project support to make sure their home addition project goes smoothly.
We asked GreatBuildz to share some options for families looking to build a house addition or expand their living space. Below are 5 great ideas for a house extension to accommodate a growing family:
1. Bedroom Addition
As families grow, they’ll often require more bedrooms to accommodate all the kids. Alternatively, parents who are expecting a new bundle of joy might need more room for a nanny, grandparent or other caregiver.
A bedroom addition is a reasonably simple and flexible way to add space to your home. Over time, a bedroom can function as a nursery, guestroom, office, playroom, gym or a multitude of other uses. Bedroom addition costs are around $30-60k for a standard-sized secondary bedroom.
2. Bathroom Addition
Many older homes in Los Angeles were built with too few bathrooms for today’s lifestyle. It can be inconvenient to share bathrooms, and most families prefer to have enough bathrooms so that adults, kids and guests don’t need to share.
Adding a bathroom not only solves this practical issue but can also greatly improve a home’s resale value. Bathroom additions can range from a small powder room to a large, luxurious master bath. Bathroom addition costs will generally range between $50-100k depending on size and amenities.
3. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Garage Conversion
If you have room in your backyard, you can build a full second dwelling unit on your property called an ADU. Alternatively, you can convert (or expand) your existing garage into living space.
New California regulations allow any residential property to now add an Accessory Dwelling Unit up to 1,200 square feet. Building an ADU or garage conversion on your property allows a ton of great options for families outgrowing their space: A dedicated office, playroom, gym, man-cave/she-shed or even a guest suite for a live-in nanny or grandparent.
ADU and Garage conversion costs start at about $100k and go up to $400k for a larger space.
4. Master Suite Addition
Quite a few homes in Los Angeles were built without a true master bedroom suite, and parents today often prefer to have their own private space. Therefore, the master suite is a common home addition project and usually includes a large bedroom, luxurious bathroom and spacious closet. An average master suite addition is 400-600 square feet in size and costs between $100-200k. Â
5. Second Story Home Addition
For homeowners who don’t want to build an addition in their yard, the only option is to build up with a second story addition. This option can greatly expand the size of a home, but it is a major project that will take a significant amount of time and require the family to move out during construction.
In most cases, a second story addition also requires some reconfiguration of the first-floor layout to accommodate the stairway and structural supports. Second-story home-addition costs will be at least $100 per square foot higher than a standard addition.
GreatBuildz can help make a home addition project easier from start to finish. They connect homeowners with three reliable contractors that fit any project and budget, all with one call. They also provide ongoing project support to make sure contractors are held accountable and the job gets done right. Whether you already have your home addition plans or just getting started, GreatBuildz can help you take the next step.
The friendly GreatBuildz staff is always available, ensuring homeowners get help and guidance from a real human. GreatBuildz can be reached at 818-317-3567.
Paul is a parent of two and co-founder of GreatBuildz, a Los Angeles service that matches homeowners with reputable, pre-screened general contractors. Paul is also a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor and active Angel investor. He has over 20+ years of experience in the real estate industry with a background in construction, development and private equity.Â
