Summary
Planning a home addition in Columbus, OH? This guide explains costs, timelines, and how to expand your home without moving.
If your current home just doesn’t cut it anymore, but the thought of moving makes you anxious, home additions are a perfect solution. You can stay in the neighborhood you love while creating a space that supports your lifestyle and your needs in the years ahead. This guide will walk you through your options so you can expand your home with confidence.
Why Are Home Additions Gaining Popularity?
Moving isn’t always a good solution when you outgrow your existing square footage. Home prices remain elevated, with the median existing-home sale price still more than $415,000 and rising year over year, even as inventory remains tight with only about a 4-month supply of homes for sale nationwide, which is far below what many experts consider a balanced market.
It makes sense that more homeowners are choosing to stay put and make their current home work. A home addition solves the “we need more space” problem without the stress of bidding wars or starting over somewhere new. By adding square footage, you increase the usable space and long-term value of your home while keeping the neighborhood, schools, and routines you already love.
Home additions can take a few different forms depending on what your household needs most. They can be built out, built up, or created within underused areas of the home. That might mean expanding a kitchen, adding a new bedroom or primary suite, creating a mother-in-law suite for multigenerational living, building a second story, or converting a garage into livable space.
Breaking Down The Cost of Home Additions in 2026
Okay, you’re coming around to the idea of a home addition over moving. But what’s this going to cost you exactly? Well, costs vary widely depending on size, complexity, and materials, but the good news is that most home additions fall within predictable ranges.
- Basic additions: $200–$300 per sq. ft.
- Full design-build additions: $300–$400+ per sq. ft.
- Highly customized or second-story additions: $400–$600+ per sq. ft.
Home additions often start around $150,000 and increase based on scope, structural requirements, and finish selections. Higher investments typically reflect:
- Structural engineering planning and reviews
- Foundation work
- Mechanical systems upgrades
- Custom cabinetry and premium materials
Popular Types of Home Additions
So, if a home addition is sounding more and more like a good idea, it’s time to think about what kind of home addition you need. Here are several popular home addition options that will help you expand your living space and better support how your household works:
#1: Kitchen Expansions
If your kitchen feels cramped and out of sync with how you cook and entertain guests, expanding the footprint will dramatically improve your comfort and daily flow. A kitchen expansion typically includes:
- Extending the kitchen into unused exterior space
- Expanding cabinetry, storage, and prep areas
- Improving layout for entertaining
- Adding room for an island or dining area
#2: Bathroom Expansions
It’s time to add a little luxury to your bathroom spaces. Bathroom additions and expansions add comfort and convenience, especially for growing households or aging-in-place planning. This type of project involves:
- Enlarging an existing bathroom for better functionality
- Adding double sinks or expanding vanities
- Creating a more spacious shower or private water closet
- Improving accessibility and increasing storage
#3: Basement Expansions & Walkouts
Say goodbye to your scary, unfinished basement and hello to a world of possibilities. Basements hold huge potential when finished or expanded with planning and intention. Walkouts are especially popular if you want independent access for guests or tenants. A basement addition or walkout will:
- Create a guest space or a private suite
- Add a family room, home office, or playroom
- Expand natural light with exterior access
- Enhance usable square footage without changing your home’s footprint
- Add a man cave or bar area
#4: Full-Room Home Additions
Full-room additions allow you to add entirely new living spaces to your existing home without it looking awkward. Full room additions are highly customizable and can be used for:
- A larger living room
- A dedicated office
- A sunroom
- A four-seasons room
- A mother-in-law suite or in-law suite
- Guest quarters
- Multigenerational living
#5: Second-Story Additions
If your plot of land doesn’t allow you much room to grow out, then expanding up might be an option. Second-story additions dramatically increase square footage and completely reshape how your home functions. Second-story additions create:
- New bedrooms
- A full master suite
- Additional bathrooms
- A private suite separate from the main living spaces
#6: Garage Additions & Flex Spaces
What if your garage could be working a lot harder for you? That’s right, you can turn your garage into an addition that supports flexible living arrangements while keeping the main home layout intact. This type of addition could involve:
- Expanding a one-car garage into a two- or three-car layout
- Adding a workshop or hobby space
- Creating a mudroom or drop zone
- Building a bonus room above the garage
- Converting the garage into a mother-in-law suite, studio, or private living space
How to Plan Your Home Addition Step by Step
It’s important to be realistic about the planning process. Here’s how the home addition process typically unfolds:
Step #1: Define the Purpose
Clarify what you need most: additional living space, a private suite, more kitchen space, or expanded functionality.
Step #2: Design and Layout Planning
Work with a design-build team to map out the space, understand feasibility, and begin refining materials and finishes.
Step #3: Budgeting and Timeline Alignment
Establish realistic expectations around costs and timing before construction begins.
Step #4: Permits and Site Preparation
Your construction team should handle gathering architectural drawings, permits, and preparations to make sure everything is compliant and ready for construction. If they don’t, find a contractor who does. You don’t want your project shut down before you even get past the drawing board.
Step #5: Foundation and Framing
Things start to get exciting at this stage! The structure takes shape as foundation work and framing establishes the layout of the new space. You’ll really get a sense of the project at this point.
Step #6: Systems, Insulation, and Drywall
While this stage is largely technical, it’s essential to set up your addition for success. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are installed, followed by insulation, drywall, and essential systems.
Step #7: Finishes and Fixture Installation
This is where things really come together. Flooring, cabinetry, painting, lighting, and other details complete the look and function of the new addition.
Step #8: Final Walkthrough and Adjustments
Your project team will conduct a walk-through where you finalize any remaining notes or adjustments to be made so that you ‘re completely satisfied with your home addition.
Home Additions: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to add an addition or build a new home?
Adding an addition is usually cheaper than building a new home when you like your location and only need targeted space. Building new often makes more sense when extensive structural changes or full-system replacements are required.
How much does a 20×20 addition cost?
A 20×20 home addition, or about 400 square feet, typically costs between $80,000 and $160,000 or more, depending on design complexity, materials, and plumbing or electrical requirements.
How much does it cost to add 1,000 sq. ft. to a home?
Adding 1,000 square feet to a home usually costs between $200,000 and $400,000 or more, based on layout changes, finishes, and structural or mechanical needs.
What is the most affordable type of home addition?
The most affordable home addition is usually a basic garage conversion, which averages about $10,000 less because of the existing exterior structure, which means less remodeling needed.
Create Your Dream Home with Premier Remodeling Home Additions
Expanding your home is no small task. You’re investing your time and money to create your vision, so the process should be intentional from the beginning. If you’re considering a home addition, we’d love to help you understand your options and plan a space that truly supports how you live. Let’s talk through your dream home addition options.