The addition has to match the house
A bad addition announces itself from the street: a different roof pitch, siding that never quite matched, a floor that steps down for no reason. A good one is invisible, and that is almost entirely down to how carefully the roof line, the foundation height and the exterior details are worked out before framing starts.
The practical questions come first though. Where are the setbacks, what is the lot going to allow, does the existing foundation take a second story, and is it cheaper to build out, build up or finish space you already have. We answer those on site before anybody draws anything.
The additions people actually ask for
Every one of these changes the footprint or the roof, which makes it builder work rather than remodel work.
Primary suite additions
A bedroom, bathroom and closet added on, usually where the current primary is too small and there is nowhere to take space from inside.
Bonus and family rooms
Living space added at the back or side, tied into the existing roof line so it does not read as a bolt on.
Second story additions
Going up when the lot will not let you go out. This starts with whether the existing foundation and walls can carry it, and that answer comes first.
Garage conversions
Turning garage space into conditioned living space, with the insulation, floor height, egress and HVAC that actually makes it comfortable.
Covered patios and porches
Outdoor living tied properly into the house structure and roof, not propped against it. Cedar decks and covered patios included.
Kitchen and living expansions
Bumping out the back of a house to give the kitchen and living space the square footage the original plan never had.
Adding on without regretting it
Site and setback check
Before anything else: where the property lines are, what the setbacks allow, and whether building out is even legal on that side of the house.
Structure and tie in
How the addition attaches, how the roof lines meet and whether the existing structure carries it. This is where an addition is won or lost.
Plans and permits
Drawings developed and permits filed in house, so the paperwork does not become your second job.
Build and blend
Foundation, framing, roof, exterior and interior finish, with siding, trim and roofing matched so the addition disappears into the house.
Covered patio and cedar deck, Worley St
A covered patio and cedar deck tied into the existing roof line at the Worley St build in Huntsville, with a fenced yard beyond it. Outdoor living that reads as part of the house rather than an attachment.
See the project gallery →Room addition questions
Is it cheaper to add on or to move?
It depends on what your house is worth finished versus what the same square footage costs elsewhere, and on how much you like where you live. Adding on almost always wins when the lot, the schools and the neighborhood are already right.
Can I add a second story to my house?
Sometimes. It depends on whether the existing foundation and walls can carry the load, and that is the first thing we check, before anything gets drawn or priced.
Will the addition match my existing siding and roof?
That is the whole job. We match roof pitch, siding profile, trim detail and roofing as closely as the materials allow, and we tell you up front where an exact match is not possible.
Do I need a permit for a room addition?
Yes, essentially always, because you are changing the footprint. Permit filing and inspections are handled in house by Premier Construction Co., the construction division of the same company.
Find out what the lot allows
Before you plan an addition, someone should stand on the property and check setbacks and structure. That visit is free and it decides everything that comes after it.