When it comes to deciding if a home extension is right for you, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
As a young couple who have just bought their forever home out in the ‘burbs with plans to grow a family, your kid-friendly, oversized backyard could be the perfect fit for building out and extending your home laterally. Inner city dwellers residing on smaller blocks, on the other hand, may find building up to add higher levels on top of their existing property far more suitable for them.
Let’s discuss some of the elements to consider when deciding whether to extend and what type of home renovation to go with.
To Build Out or Build Up: What Are the Major Differences?
When choosing between building out by extending your property with a ground-level extension or building upwards by adding an upstairs addition on top of your property, you’ll find that there are many differences between the two approaches that might not always seem obvious.
When Building Out Makes Sense
Yes, it’s quite obvious that building out makes the most sense when we have extra yard space at our disposal. But have you thought about accessibility? Of course, this consideration is especially important as we get older, as the thought of climbing stairs to upper levels of our homes becomes more daunting for aging bodies. Choosing to extend out, rather than upwards, and keeping the home to a single-story layout for easier accessibility in the future is certainly something to keep in mind, and potentially something your older self will thank you for.
Despite this, there are some challenges associated with choosing this approach: you’ll have to sacrifice some of your outdoor space in favour of your bigger interior layout, and you’ll also need to consult with your local council for up-to-date advice on zoning restrictions. You must also ensure you’re well aware of any foundational or structural concerns involved with remodelling your home outwardly, and would be well-advised to consult with professionals who specialise in home inspection in Pakenham or your local area to make sure your planned renovations will be structurally sound.
When Building Up Is the Better Option
Building up, on the other hand, offers different benefits than building out. Other than the obvious: you’ll save on your yard area and not need to sacrifice parts of your outdoor space, building upper levels often affords you better views. Of course, this is particularly relevant if the views of your neighbourhood are actually pleasant, such as if you have a vista overlooking the bay, or out to nearby parks and greenery, which can dramatically increase the aesthetic of your home, and as a result, its resale value.
There are some critical points to consider, however: building up can be more expensive than building out, as you’ll likely need to invest in foundational reinforcement, and may need to get a structural engineer involved.
Making the Right Decision: Home Extension Factors to Consider
As well as the considerations outlined above, there are some other factors you might like to consider when deciding what’s right for you.
Making the choice around which approach is best for you and your family requires you to do a little soul searching. What are your lifestyle preferences? Are you an active, outdoorsy family who loves spending wholesome hours together playing backyard cricket or shooting hoops in the garden? If so, an upstairs extension may be the best option, so you can save your outdoor space for what matters most to you. On the other hand, if cost, structural concerns and accessibility are more important to you, keeping your home to a single storey may be the best route.
As well as this, you’ll need to take advice from the authorities as to what type of home extension is actually permitted for your property. At the end of the day, local regulations and restrictions may well make the decision for you.
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There you have it, some of the elements to consider when you’re thinking about renovating your home. So, will it be an upwards build, or an outward extension?
The choice is ultimately up to you.
