If you’ve been following along on our addition progress, then you probably have a little context. As you can see, we’re chugging along on all things trim work, and we hope to start tiling and painting, soon.
Yes, I did climb on a ladder and take a cheesy pic. Note to self: flex more. Rawr.
If you’re new here and have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, you can check out more progress posts :
• Our beginnings and all the past phases for our current home.
Then for the addition:
• the framing
• windows + door choices
• mantel plans
• insulation and drywall
We also answered a reader question about a little bit of our process and the direction to go, in case you’re thinking about taking on one of your own rehabs/additions! – Just a few of our best tips on the process.
We received a really great question from a reader a few weeks ago, and we thought it was so great, we’d answer it here. Renee said:
We didn’t take it personally at all. We actually thought it was a great question. So much so, we’re explaining a little bit more of our process here in the name of transparency. Because we had to ask ourselves the same question(s) before we began.
So without further ado, the addition: why we’re doing it. {And the process of a master addition}
• It adds more living space.
As much as we’ve talked about entertaining, that’s just a bonus. Forget other people. ;} It sounds nice when we’ve explained it that way in the past, but it truly just adds more living space for our own family. This room will be another multipurpose space. As the kids get older, we’re realizing we need a little more room to spread out. There are five of us and two 75 lb dogs. That’s a lot of warm bodies when you work from home, too. This is just something that is best for us, personally.
This room will have a separate dining area, which we can really use, a space for lounging, gathering and watching movies/football games, and a space for more storage with the way we plan to utilize it. {See built-in banquette and an old armoire for towel/amenities storage.} Everyone has their own wish list for the addition, but I also personally can not wait to use a light-filled room for photoshoots, painting and writing, amongst other things. So it will be a real live studio for me. I have my little nook in the basement, but since we do not {yet} have a formal studio space apart from our own home, more space helps us with our daily ins and outs of work.
And frankly, I’m such a big writer/reader, that hanging bed and tin roof combo on a rainy day are one of the biggest highlights for down time that I’m super pumped about. Silly but true. A retreat, of sorts. These are just my wishes, not even the kids’ and Jamin’s. So lots of little reasons for living space that will benefit our family.
• More living space means more value.
This is another bonus. Our home has doubled in value since we purchased it. We made this decision based on the real estate condition in our area, and the profit possible. We think this is always good to consider before spending a large amount of money on your home.
When we initially purchased this house, it had 1640 sq feet of living space. When we complete this addition, with the basement, it will have 2915 square feet. Whether we sell or not, we will be thoroughly enjoying this house in the meantime, and we’ve really gained a ton of equity.
Some people move every few years. We’ve chosen to stay and improve/expand. Which brings us to…
• The master completion.
We are on septic. I have never in my life loathed a word so much in the past three years. If you read back in our earlier posts on all things rehab, you may remember what an ordeal this was for us with local codes, just to get through the initial renovaiton. We stuck with it, because we knew it would be worth it in the end. Just to go through our initial remodel, it basically took acts of God. We did not know this before we moved here. We are now very well-versed on the ins and outs of all things Williamson County septic codes.
Basically, we took a risk and even though it was a tough one, it’s paid off for us, personally.
All that said, this is the year that we begin that process of gaining approval to build our master. This will be a process.
Our younger two {a boy + a girl , {almost} 10+11} still share a bedroom. This is why we would like to add one more. The grand plan from the beginning was for them to all spread out on the top level of the house in their teen years, and our daughter will take our current space when we move over. In the meantime, and they are still totally fine with a shared room. {::Wipes sweat off brow because – knows the apocalypse is coming::}
The process of adding a master, if we are approved because we are on septic and will be adding a bathroom, includes moving lines/utilities to our house. Per the rules here, we have to ensure that we have enough back up space in our one acre yard. It also includes more factors, which is a bit boring to cover here. In short, this will take time and more money. However, because of the state of our market here in Nashville, it doesn’t make sense to just up and move because we can’t have our way. We also have options.
–We are now weighing our options.
That means beginning the process of the master addition. Something else that should be mentioned here, is that we are in a bit of a waiting game.
A. It takes forever to be approved. 6-9 months to be precise. Fortunately, we started that process when we did our initial land survey, with the initial inside of the house renovation. So we’ve technically begun the process. We just have a few questions because a few of the answers we initially received, were vague.
B. Our neighborhood may be moved to sewage in the next few years which would in fact render all of this pointless. {Not to mention extremely frustrating.} We’re surrounded by sewage on all sides. JUST US — our area — is on septic. It’s comical, really. That’s a BIG factor for us. And people are torn about it.
I think we, personally, would like to have the option to know how it affects us. Either way, it would be pricey. So we’re okay with waiting a little to see if we hear anything new… because it would have an affect on the look and size and cost of the master addition. Unfortunately, no one can confirm or deny anything here. {Cue giant eye roll.}
C. Our grand plans, with the master addition, is worked into the current addition, with architectural considerations for the house, and how it will look. AKA it needs to look pretty seamless and not so much like some rando build-on. Or as much so, as possible. Yes, we know additions look like additions. But as seamless as possible is the route we want to take. We love our house and would love to stay with a few changes. So wait, we will.
D. Meanwhile, the value keeps rising. {See points above} So, the way we see it, we’re in a winning position at this point. Even if it’s been a bit of a waiting game.
E. Yes, I made a list that goes all the way to E. If you’re still reading, you da real MVP.
• Why so much work?
We’re actually surrounded by mass builder homes in our area. With tiny yards–bigger yards are harder to come by. And it’s only growing more. To each their own and we’re not saying that’s a bad thing. Some people prefer those things and we totally get that. But at the end of the day, a one of a kind house makes us truly happy. This is different and we were able to put our own mark on it. This house has been growing and evolving with our family. We love it here.
Yes, it comes with its set of quirks and funny sounds and smells {and a ghost – we still have to share our stories :}} But we adore where we live, the schools are fabulous and we have an amazing location. We just know we wouldn’t be happy in another home right now.
So for us, all this work has absolutely been worth it, and I guess it’s all in how you view it. This is where we are.
{pssst: If you follow on insta, you may know we just planked the ceilings and are adding trim now. For more on shiplapping your ceilings, check out our full how to here. The main difference this time, is that we took a cheater’s route, and skipped pennies + glue. We also staggered these, since the side beams are no longer a thing. Long story. More on that later.}
We hope this helps answer any questions you may have as to why we’re building an addition right now. We actually love reading about real estate and people’s processes with what they do, so we hope this helps shed a little light on our situation. And a little bit more of our process. Let us know if you have any more questions!
Have an inspired day!
Renee says
The OP checking in…this makes total sense. My house has also increased/doubled in value, but mostly because I bought a foreclosure 10 years ago. I’m in Fresno, California, but wished I would have moved to Nashville 10 years ago. I love Nashville and have been visiting since 2004.
I decided to invest in a new kitchen, one, because mine was original 1955 and really showing the wear, and two because I read a piece of advice from someone….a blogger…don’t remember who it was….who said, paraphrasing….”Don’t wait until you move to stage or remodel your house, do it now and stage your house for YOU.” I’d like to move in 10 years, but now I can enjoy my kitchen today. I love it too….soft close hinges, beautiful quartz counters, new quiet dishwasher…love it! The only thing I don’t love is the stainless steel appliances…so hard to keep clean. I wish I had my white enamel back.
xavior says
It make lots of sense for the additional space. Thanks for sharing. Very insightful
Jenna says
You guys – this makes total sense. Thank you for posting on it here! It was a great question. Love that you’re so careful with all your considerations of things. I can imagine you had a lot to think about!
Kim says
I love hearing the “why” behind decisions like this…things are so different in other areas that it’s interesting to hear the behind the scenes stuff. I love following along on your remodeling journeys! 🙂