If you want to add on to your home's existing floor plan, you have several choices to make it happen. These include building out, building up, and bumping out. What is involved with each of these and how can you choose the right one? Here's what you need to know.

What's Involved in Building Out

Building out refers to adding an addition to the house on the ground floor. It is one of the most common home additions, in part because you have the most freedom as to how much or how little to add. Because building out affects only the walls and rooms adjacent to the new portion, it can also keep the construction mess somewhat corralled.

To build outward, though, you will lose part of the yard. If the lot size is average or smaller, this could affect your yard enjoyment quite a bit. And your contractor will need to dig out and pour new foundations for the addition. 

What's Involved in Building Up

An alternative to spreading outward is to build a whole or partial second floor. This is an excellent way to prevent your expanded home from taking up the whole yard in a small lot. It also means no new foundations.

However, the portion of the home that will support the second floor likely needs additional support work. So a second-floor addition could cause the most severe disruption to the rest of the house during construction. 

What's Involved in Bumping Out

Finally, your project may be something you can complete with what's known as a bump out. Bumping out a house involves removing an exterior walls and extending the existing floor joists and support structure several feet outward. Although they're limited as to how wide you can extend them, bumped out sections could run the entire length of one side if you wish. 

A bump out creates minimal effects on the rest of the house as they are very contained. They also eliminate the need for additional foundation work and don't eat up the entire yard space. However, as mentioned, you are limited in how large they can be. 

How to Decide

Which type of addition is right for you? The answer depends on how much expansion you want, what your budget is, and how much property you want to involve. But by understanding all your options, you can make the choice that will bring the most value to your renovation and help you make a home you'll love for many years to come. Get started by meeting with a general contractor in your area today. 

For more information about home additions, contact a local contractor.