When homeowners are deciding that they want to renovate their homes by adding new space rather than buying another place there are some choices in what they can do. They can go up, down, out in the back yard or into the garage. So, space is wherever they want it.

Basement

The easiest place to gain new space is in the basement, especially if most of the basement is not used for much more than storage. Basements have all the amenities including electrical, heat and plumbing. And if you want to put in a bathroom in a below grade (below the main sewer line) basement area there are now pumping attachments that can be placed next to toilets and showers.

One of the major concerns in a basement is moisture. And if the basement is already insulated you will have to look behind portions of the walls to see that there is no water. If so there might be a tell-tail moldy smell but very often a vapor barrier layer blocks this odor so be safe.

Also, if the walls are bare check for cracks in the foundation. These are portals for moisture and should be sealed. If the walls are moist during the wet times of the year it may be necessary to excavate on the outside of the home and have the cement walls sealed.

Going Up

Adding a story to your home is one of the most difficult and expensive renovations you can accomplish. Because to built a new story upstairs you first have to de-construct the present roof system, that is, take off the entire roof or part of the roof in favor of a dormer or dormers.

The first order of business, however, is to hire an architect to design the job properly, or a contractor who has an architect in-office. The reason for this not only to present the design but to determine if your present walls can handle the stress. Some homes only have 2" X 4" walls and these would have to be braced.

Next, after you hire your contractor, would be to find a place to live for the duration of the project ( 6 months minimum). If the mess would not be enough to make you leave then safety precautions would. In fact many contractors would not do a job of this magnitude if the home was occupied. Then rent a mini-storage to put your fine possessions so that dust and, in the worst case, water will not harm them.

Going Out

When going out the front, side or back of your home for more space you are, in essence, building a new, but smaller home. When this structure is complete then either the wall dividing them is taken out or another portal is made. This negates moving from the home as 90% of the addition will be built outside the present living area. In most cases the home's utilities should suffice for the extra load in electricity, water and sewer. Of course, in many cases the roof-line will be altered and the entire roof may have to be re-done to match.

Another way to achieve space is to enclose an already-existing deck or porch area. The foundation points are already established and, in the case of the porch, the electrical will there as well. Decks have the basic structure and the room can be built in seasonal stages: Structure up in the spring, screened in for the first summer, glass-in and insulated in the fall and finished off in the winter.

Garage Space

Like basements, most garages already have the utilities in place except that garages are above-ground and, in most cases, do not have the moisture issues. There is a cement pad already in place for the sub floor and the walls insulated. So it is just a matter of sealing up the doors and drywalling over them. You may have to add another couple of windows.

The downside to adding living space in the garage is that, on the average, home buyers prefer garages. In addition the covenants in the area may require that cars be garaged overnight and not sitting on the driveway.

Above Garage Space

Semi-attached and separate garages can be converted into room additions without sacrificing the space for the vehicles. By going up a story in the garage you can get up to 300 square feet, enough space for a small apartment. Again, this would depend upon the wall system but this can be strengthened. For more space the stairs can be attached to the outside of the building.

In all cases a licensed contractor should be used for the additions as there are many considerations that the do-it-yourselfer might not understand. Because when it comes to the structure of a building the more experience the better.