Help! Build up or to the side?

4 years ago

Hi! We are planning our new colonial renovation. All along we thought to build a new master + guest room over the garage/one story side office. This would involve completely removing the high ceiling and potentially messing with the pretty exterior roof angles.

It has come to our attention that we have an extra 9 feet to build to the side of the home, and my contractor would rather dig foundation there to gain square footage in the basement, 1st floor, and 2nd floor, instead of putting the addition over the garage. This would gain me a new guest suite + bonus room along the side of the house on the 1st floor, and expand the existing master uptairs.

I do see the merit in this idea. It will make the house look wider from the front. It will make the 1st floor guest room more private. It is gaining space on each floor rather than just all over garage. However, I'm just not sold on the 9 foot wide guest bedroom on the first floor, plus, I probably won't get a grand master suite over the garage with high ceilings and walk up attic if the exsiting 8 ft ceiling master simply gets bumped out.

Thoughts? Thank you so much for any guidance!

Build over garage

Expand 9 feet to side of house

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Comments (5)

jck910
4 years ago
I think you need an architect. No way would I want a contractor doing the design phase. I have an 11 foot wide guest room and it barely fits a queen bed
JJ
4 years ago
Yes I would get a pro of some kind.

I have a soft spot for colonials. I would make yours even more traditional. I would want a simple roof line. You have those two "matching" opposing gables. Garage and over the entrance. Not necessary.
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smg33
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for your thoughts. I do have an architect who will draw up both options and hopefully solve the narrow guest bedroom. Building to the side will be more cost effective and add rooms but my gut tells me to go over garage.
PRO
PPF.
4 years ago
I do have an architect who will draw up both options

Architects design, then communicate those designs with drawings.

What does your architect recommend?

and potentially messing with the pretty exterior roof angles.

I see potential for improving the existing house no matter how you do the addition.

Consider removing the brick and switching to a single door with side lights.

Without seeing floor plans and elevations showing the 2 options, how would anyone comment?
chispa
4 years ago
Have you looked at moving to a bigger house that has all your wants? I only mention it because we considered a major addition on our first house, but after meeting with architects and builders, we ended up selling and moving to a bigger house on a better street/neighborhood.