Opinions please on how to create addition for my house

[RaRa]

There is a possibility that my parents may have to move in with us in the next 5 years. The only option with our house would be some kind of room addition on the first floor. This photo is angled, but hopefully you can get an idea of how it would look. We could finish the garage and then add a garage next to that. The other idea would be to build out on the living room which is on the far right - but the issues aside from cost, would also include aesthetics. Nothing seems ideal, but what do you all think?

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5df29b3127cce9f5263af8a4f00000016108ActWLhw2aM1

BTW, how do you post a jpeg without a link?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I had to do similar planning some years ago ..... it is more than just aesthetics .....

.... you also have to think about ultimate resale of the house .... and, of course, what to do with the space once the need for it ... well ... you know what I mean.

I never had to actually do anything, but I did a lot of research and thinking. Here are a few things that came up for us:

Zoning may play an issue. A second kitchen *could* result in your single family house suddenly being a two family and thereby in violation of zoning. Not a sure thing (the laws are chock full of arcane ways to beat the law ... like the absence (or not) of certain doors and connections.

With approval from your neighbors you could get a zoning waver. It **could** require that you never rent to non family and that you agree to remove the second kitchen after the need for it no longer exists. Again, the laws have lots of ins and outs.

Consider a completely separate building, perhaps connected by a breezeway or pergola. Down the road, it could be billed as an 'office' or 'studio'.

Looking at your house, I'd actually think about adding to the back of the garage. That keeps the front of the house in scale and looking 'normal' from the street. This would work if directly attached or disconnected, as in the paragraph above.

I hope this helps. If more occurs to me, I'll post more.

Good luck.

[Kingshakabobo]

2. To post..open a free account with photobucket.com

Upload it to photobucket and then you can hot-link your own photos.


www.photobucket.com

[RaRa]

3. Thanks

for the suggestions. However, we'd be looking at adding a room with bathroom. Not entire suite. Considering where we live, I doubt there are any zoning issues of any kind. I don't think we can go behind the garage, because there's a huge 2 level brick paver patio there. The option could be a small house in the back of our property. Aesthetically, it would be fine, but financially it's likely out of the question.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. However, there are building codes and impact fees, etc., where you live

http://www.elburn.il.us/building/index.html

[RaRa]

5. Actually, I'm not technically in the village

we fall in unincorporated Elburn.

I'm even wondering if a Katrina cottage (maybe modified to to fit our style) might work, as Lowes is planning on making them available nationwide in the coming years.

[politicat]

9. That's exactly what I was going to suggest.

One of the single-floor ones.

We're looking at one right now for my sister. (Long story.)

[eleny]

10. Hi!

Hope all is well in your part of the world.

Good luck with oe of the little houses. I love them.

[Warpy]

8. Right, a separate guest house would be best

but the plumbing cost could kill you. It might add considerable value to the property, though, so it's still worth considering. Plus, after the old folks are gone, you could use it for any kids who come home or even as rental property, something that can be very convenient if you choose to travel.

As for an addition on the other side of the house, it would make the place a little more symmetrical, whichever side were eventually devoted to inlaw quarters. Also think about putting in a mini kitchen. You can do a lot with the space in the average 2 car garage in terms of a compact living area, and that might also give the old folks a little more sense of independence, something that is crucial for our parents to maintain as they age. It will also cut down on marital friction.

Finally, don't forget to ask them what they want. They may want to be as independent as possible and would be willing to contribute to the extra cost of a separate guest house.

[yy4me]

6. Beautiful house, could you balance the house by adding the

required space on the side of the house opposite the garage? Many of this type of home in our area have additions done in this manner. Duplicating the size and design of the garage side would look lovely and be well proportioned.

[hippywife]

7. Without seeing a floor plan

and size of the grounds, I wonder if it would be possible to build onto the back of the home?

I work with the elderly population in a retirement community that has a main building for residents requiring assisted living and cottages for those able to live independently. I think a seperate small residence on the property, like a MIL suite, as mentioned in one of the posts (Katrina cottages, which I think are adorable!)would be fine for as long as they remain somewhat independent. But in the long run, I think you would find yourself again in the same quandry of needing to create a space for them in the house.

Kind of dovetailing off of what Husb2Sparkly mentioned about future use of an addition, it might be more practical to build a room (with a seperate bath as you mentioned, which is a great idea) somewhere off of the kitchen or dining area, with french doors, which would allow it to be opened up for use as a den or family room later. That would make it close and easier for your folks to enjoy meals with the family and have easy access to the kitchen on their own, plus give them a little privacy and independence for as long as they are capable without them being too far from the main living areas of the home.

Just a coupla thoughts. :hi:

[RaRa]

11. Well, we've made a few basic decisions

I guess this doesn't technically qualify as DYI, but we're going to hire an architect to get us started. (If anyone knows of a reasonable one in Illinois, please let me know!). I'm thinking we're going to match the garage side by adding a two story; expanding the living room and hopefully having a private staircase that leads to a master bath. If the living space isn't big enough, than we can expand back into the backyard too. It's all going to depend on cost. My parents are willing to go up to $200K. There are going to be alot of updgrade to our house needed - since we'll need a bigger septic tank; more hot water ; bigger a/c units. That kind of thing.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. A word about hiring an architect ......

... by the way, I heartily endorse the idea. I think, in the end, it will be money VERY well spent.

Architects are often like doctors or lawyers, which is to say that some specialize. So you need to be looking for one who *wants* to do residential addition work. Going to one who does, say, commercial spec buildings, or large shopping centers, or hotels, would be a mismatch for sure, if not a bad mistake.

Don't be afraid to go to a big firm, speak to them about your needs, and then, if they're not willing to do the (for them, VERY small) job, ask them for a referral. They often have former employees who struck out on their own and perfectly happy to do such work.

Also, don't be afraid to interview several of them, even if your job is small. Find one that you're comfortable with.